EMS Socks Vs. Smartwool

Selecting socks is colorful and complex.

Socks have been around since ancient civilizations clad their feet in animal fur to protect them from the elements. Today the basic structure is the same, consisting of toe, sole, instep, heel and leg, but the materials have changed significantly with the mass production of synthetic fibers after World War II. Technology has also altered how wool is processed, resulting in easy-care sock options for fans of natural fiber as well as man-made textiles.

History

White socks were traditionally worn in summer, dark socks in winter.

Various materials have been used to keep human feet dry. The earliest socks were made from matted animal furs, followed by woven or knitted fabric. Until the introduction of knitting machines in 1589, socks were a status symbol because they were knitted by hand, which was a time-consuming process. It wasn't until the Industrial Revolution gripped England in the 1800s that socks became commonplace among all classes.

Fibers

Socks made from colorful silk were a luxury.

Socks were primarily made from cotton, wool, flax and silk, depending on location and affordability. These fibers have good thermal properties, keeping feet dry and at a comfortable temperature. Cotton and flax were worn in warmer weather because they were lighter and created a less bulky sock. Wool absorbs up to 30 percent of its weight in moisture, making it ideal in snowy and rainy climates. Silk was prized for its shine and softness and used for delicate stockings. All of these fibers required hand washing, which was time consuming. The creation and mass production of synthetic fibers, most notably nylon, resulted in affordable socks that could be machine washed and tossed in the dryer.

EMS Socks

Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) is an outdoor equipment and apparel chain with headquarters in Peterborough, New Hampshire. As of June 2010, its website, ems.com, had more than 20 types of EMS brand socks available. Among the top sellers with hikers and walkers are EMS Light Hiking Socks. These synthetic socks are popular because they have foot cushioning, a vented side panel and an adjustable arch panel. They are 70 percent acrylic, 28 percent nylon, 2 percent Lycra and are fully machine washable.

Smartwool

Smartwool, with headquarters in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, sells a line of easy-care wool products. In June 2010 it offered 160 socks on its website, smartwool.com, including the popular Smartwool Hiking Socks. Like the EMS Light Hiking Socks, they feature foot cushioning, arch support and a vented side panel. Smartwool uses merino wool, which minimizes foot odor and wicks away moisture from the skin. This type of wool sock is also machine washable because of how the 74 percent wool, 25 percent nylon, 1 percent elastic garment is processed.

Which is Better?

Human ingenuity has invented technology to create easy-care synthetic socks and apply those qualities to traditional fibers such as wool. It has not yet managed to invent a device that can categorically state which socks are the best. Walkers and hikers will have to invest money and a few trial runs or walks to decide which product their feet prefer.

References

• Holeproof: Sock history
• Chemheritage: Nylon properties
• Silk Association of Great Britain: Silk history
• EMS: Light hiking socks
• EMS: Smartwool hiking socks

Resources

• "The Knitters Book of Yarn"; Clara Parkes; 2007