The 9 Best Warm Socks for Winter
We found the coziest socks so your toes remain nice and warm.
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There's nothing quite as uncomfortable as cold feet. Even if you're in the midst of doing something fun, like taking a leisurely winter stroll or building a snowman with your kids, feeling that numbing chill in your toes can instantly ruin your mood. Investing in a pair of good winter socks will not only keep your feet nice and cozy, but they can also help prevent blisters, cushion your feet during winter adventures and add fuzzy comfort to late-night movie marathons.
Experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab regularly evaluate the best women's and men's socks, including warm pairs made with wool. In recent years, we've tested over 90 pairs of socks both in our Lab and with hundreds of consumer testers. Here are our recommendations for the best warm socks for every winter activity, including skiing and snowboarding as well as lounging indoors.
Sizes: One size (Women's, 5–9) | Colors: 18 | Material: Acrylic, nylon, polyester, elastane
For those with perpetually cold feet, warm socks are a necessity, and we consider this pair from Heat Holders a must-have option. It’s lined with a soft, brushed sherpa-like interior that traps heat to keep your feet toasty warm all day long. The extra-long loops of yarn create a cushioned pile for added comfort.
These socks were a favorite among our testers for their soft interior that outperformed wool options. They received top scores for comfort and for not slipping down while wearing. One tester compared it to “walking on a soft pillow," while another shared, "These socks are like magical little ovens on my feet." Note that you will have to line-dry these socks instead of placing them in the dryer.
Sizes: One size (Women's) | Colors: 24 | Material: Polyester, acrylic, wool
These extra-plush socks come in packs of three and five for added convenience at an affordable price. Made of a blend of polyester, acrylic and wool with a fluffy inner lining, they'll trap heat and keep your toes warm. The socks have a 4.5-star rating online across more than 14,000 Amazon reviews.
Living up to their name, satisfied shoppers were impressed with how thick these socks were, with one five-star reviewer saying, "You can wear these in place of slippers and you won't feel the cold coming up through the floors." Another reported that they fit well in boots and select shoes.
Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks
Sizes: S–XL (Women's) | Colors: 7 | Material: Merino wool, (recycled) nylon, elastane
Just because a pair of socks is on the thinner side, doesn't mean they can't keep your feet warm. These ultralight socks from Smartwool are made with temperature-regulating merino wool and feature mesh ventilation zones to allow air in but keep moisture out. Maintaining dry feet during winter activities is critical, especially if it starts raining or snow gets into your boots. You don't want your feet to get wet or super sweaty while the temperature drops because it will make you feel even colder.
Testers reported that the socks offered enough cushioning for comfort and support despite their lightweight design. "They were "breathable, thin and yet warm enough," shared one tester. A thicker sock will be better for certain temps, but these offer versatility for year-round everyday use.
Sizes: S–L (Women's) | Colors: 11 | Material: Merino wool, nylon, Lycra spandex
Perfect for pairing with winter boots, this style from Darn Tough uses mostly merino wool for soft insulation, keeping your feet warm while hiking, shoveling snow or commuting to work. While the cost is a bit pricey, Darn Tough offers a “lifetime guarantee,” meaning the brand will send you a new pair if you are able to wear them out.
Overall, testers gave these socks high scores for their comfortable, snug fit and cushioning. They reported that their feet stayed at a cozy temperature. Testers also liked the appearance of these socks, featuring a neutral color-blocking design that matches everyday outfits or more athletic ensembles.
RELATED: The Best Hiking Socks
Sizes: S–XL (Unisex) | Colors: 11 | Material: Merino wool, stretch nylon, polyester, spandex
Made of luxe merino wool, these socks are designed to keep you warm and cozy during any type of weather. It has a pile-lined interior, which means it's got an extra layer of loops of yarn to keep your feet warm. During in-Lab tests, they weren’t the most durable, but they barely shrank after multiple washes.
Several testers highlighted the soft feel and substantial cushioning, especially on the sole. One even commented that they were the perfect thickness without being bulky. Overall, testers rated the socks highly for comfort.
RELATED: The Best Wool Socks
Sizes: S–L (Women's) | Colors: 11 | Material: Merino wool, polyester, elastane
Bombas carries some of the best socks we've ever tested. While the brand’s socks aren't always the most durable, they beat out other pairs in consumer tests, thanks to their cushioned sole. This specific style features a merino wool blend for temperature regulation and a calf-length fit for extra coverage.
One tester called them "perfect for when it's frigid and you want to keep your feet warm." Testers rated Bombas socks highly for their comfortable fit, appearance and ability to stay on without slipping down. The Merino Wool Blend Calf Socks are also popular among online shoppers — so far the socks have more than 15,000 reviews!
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Bombas Socks
Sizes: S–L (Women's) | Colors: 4 | Material: Merino wool, Tencel, nylon, spandex
If you struggle to fall asleep during the winter or often wake up due to cold feet, these socks might be the solution. They're made using merino wool for a luxuriously soft feel with naturally thermoregulating properties. While some may feel uneasy about the idea of wearing socks to sleep, this pair is thin and won't feel bulky in bed.
Testers called them “super comfortable” and loved wearing them with pajamas to lounge around. Remember that these socks are meant for indoor wear only, so you will need to opt for another pick in our guide for outdoor use.
RELATED: The Best Women's Socks
Sizes: L–XL (Unisex) | Colors: 4 | Material: Cotton, elastane, polyester CoolMax
These socks feature rechargeable lithium batteries that can heat your feet for two to seven hours when fully charged. A pocket with a snap helps ensure the battery won't fall out while you're downhill skiing or hiking during the winter. Just remember to remove the battery pack before washing. The brand recommends washing the socks in a laundry bag and then air-drying.
Our pros appreciate this pair has heating elements that cover the entire foot, from the top to the sole to the toes, where you typically get cold first. An included smart controller lets you toggle between three heat settings to find the perfect warmth. Note that the highest temperature corresponds to the shortest battery life.
Although these warm socks are our most expensive pick, one five-star reviewer shared, "I have been using them for three years now, and they are holding up extremely well."
Barefoot Dreams Cozychic Heathered Socks
Sizes: One size (Women's) | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyester
Fuzzy socks are a staple for cozying up indoors on colder nights, and this pair is one of the best. They've got a slouchy look yet actually stay in place during wear and have an oh-so-soft feel. When we had users try this pair at home, our testers were immediately hooked. They also happen to be Amazon's Choice with an almost perfect 4.8-star rating across over 1,000 online reviews.
One tester who wore this pair for several weeks before providing feedback gave perfect scores across the board. They described the socks as buttery soft and wrote, "I look forward to putting them on when I get home." They even started wearing these fuzzy socks to bed even though they typically don't wear socks while sleeping! The top seam caused discomfort for one tester with a higher forefoot, though.
How we test warm socks
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab tests all types of socks. This year alone, we've evaluated over 90 different styles, both in the Lab and with hundreds of consumer testers across the country to determine the best socks for any type of occasion. To find the best warm socks, we collected and analyzed more than 18,000 data points.
For this test, we worked with a diverse group of consumer testers to evaluate attributes like fit, comfort and cushioning. Testers also shared how the socks performed over time, including if they kept their feet warm or stayed in place in different types of footwear.
In the Lab, we measured the thickness of each sock and noted any additional features, including targeted cushioning on the sole or a contoured foot-specific fit. We also tested the abrasion resistance, bursting strength, moisture management capability and dimensional stability of each style using specialized textile testing equipment according to industry standards for quality.
What to look for when shopping for the best warm socks
Here are some tips to find the type of socks that will keep your feet the warmest:
✔️ Material: While cotton may feel great for your bedding, when it comes to warm socks, 100% cotton is best to avoid. Cotton holds onto moisture and can make your feet feel wet inside of winter boots. Instead, look for socks made from wool, which has natural thermoregulation to keep your feet warm and dry. If you're allergic to wool, opt for acrylic in its place, as the material is often used as a substitute to insulate heat.
Don't look for 100% wool socks either, as they won't stay snug on your feet. Most socks are made of a blend of fibers, including synthetic ones like nylon or polyester, which are often used to give the necessary structure to the body or overall shape of the sock. Spandex or elastane also add stretch for the sock to fit snugly on your foot.
✔️ Thickness: Super thick socks may look like the coziest option, but if they are too thick, they can cause blisters or cut off proper circulation in bulky boots. While wearing socks with boots or other winter footwear, you should still be able to feel your feet and the interior of the shoe you're wearing. Thicker socks aren't necessarily a better option — most warm socks use pile (loops of yarn) on the interior to trap warmth.
What kind of socks are the warmest?
If you're looking for socks that will provide the most insulation, make sure to keep three things in mind: material, construction and the shoes you plan to wear. Certain materials, such as merino wool or cashmere are known for their temperature-regulating properties, while acrylic is known for its heat insulation and polyester helps give the shape structure. Additionally, socks designed for warmth often use pile (loops of yarn) on the interior to trap warm air in order to retain heat for better insulation.
But ultimately, the types of shoes you plan to wear are essential. The warmest socks for snowboard boots may not be the warmest socks for everyday winter boots or sneakers. This is because the right fit is crucial — a pair of socks that are too thick can cause blisters or even cut off circulation in some shoes.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Grace Wu is a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute who oversaw recent in-Lab and consumer tests for all socks, including no-show socks, wool socks and running socks. Prior to joining GH, Wu earned a Master of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University.
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
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