Alpaca Socks

Outback in Idaho · **on:** November 22, 2024, 04:08:51 AM

Been seeing LOTS of ads selling Alpaca Socks, even Compression Socks. Not sure if these are good stuff, or most hype.

Now I do have an Alpaca Scarf that is about as thin as a wool one, and is lighter in weight. Haven't worn it recently, but it did seem to perform well. But that is a scarp. What about alpaca blends for socks??

Ordered a pair of Compression socks from Hollow out of Wisconsin. May take a while to get here now that snow is flying. Will post my finding when they arrive, get washed, then worn.

Have any other members tried Alpaca Socks? How to they compare to Wool Blend Socks?

Vidar · **Reply #1 on:** November 24, 2024, 07:13:00 PM

I haven't tried Alpaca myself, but look forward to hearing your experience. A good alternative to wool in winter would be interesting.

I've been told Musk ox wool is the warmest, but the prices around here at least are very steep. No wonder - imagining wrestling a musk ox while wielding scissors!

(Just kidding, it falls off naturally, but going around picking it takes time).

Outback in Idaho · **Reply #2 on:** November 25, 2024, 04:04:45 AM

I do have a possum/wool blend neck warmer and beanie I bought from David Morgan (Bothell, WA) that really do keep me warm. Don't use the beanie as much but is good for a backup. They are crafted by Lothlorian Knitwear out of New Zealand. Yet they do not offer socks, which I think would be far too extreme to be used for socks. /shrug

Thought I bought a pair of gloves for a backup. Will have to find out where I put them. Their outer wear is limited to 2XL on sizes, and I am at least a 4XL.

Outback in Idaho · **Reply #3 on:** November 27, 2024, 02:54:26 AM

Maybe there is something to these Alpaca socks after all. Was thinking it was mostly hype.

Indoors wise my feet stayed comfortable in these lower layer socks. They are not super thin but are thin enough for cycling socks. Although I have yet to get out yet to see if they will help keep the toes warm when cycling in cooler weather. And have yet to work outside in the colder weather. So that is open for feedback.

Have been wearing an Unna boot wrap due to a chronic venous ulcer that I've had for nearing two years. It had healed up to 90% closure using old school techniques. The VA really messed the ulcer up and took Saint Alphonsus' Wound Clinic a few months to get the wound back to healing. And have had two treatments of a Collagen Epifix to help stimulate the wound to close up. First one actually worked quite well. Go in tomorrow to see how the second treatment went - since the clinic is closed this coming Friday I have to go in tomorrow morning.
So the unna boot wrap leave my toes bare. They usually give me an extremely thin sock to help me put on clothes and shoes/boots with, but they resorted to a single layer unna do to the leg's hair follicles revolting. As such I was clipping the toes off old socks to cover the toes. The alpaca compression stocking fit well over the single-layer wrap and I could get my boot on easier.

Did not wash them. Did have to nip the collar in three locations so the sock could get over the calf area. Was far too tight, and I'm going to tell them about that. And the compression socks could stand to be a couple inches longer. $40 for compression alpaca socks though is a bit expensive. Yet they do feel quite comfortable. I am impressed so far.

Went with Hollow brand socks as they had an XL size. Others only went to Large. Would like to get a second pair before their Black Friday sale ends, but it shows only 3 hours remaining and I do not get paid till Thursday. :\ Then they resort to $45 for a pair which may be a deal breaker for me. That's too much $$ for compression socks, even if they are alpaca fur.
They do have a thicker boot sock available, and bundle packs.

There are other alpaca sock makers though.