Cotton comes from a crop whereas wool is obtained from the fleece of the sheep. But no one among us would have sat down and thought about which material is the best. Woolen socks Heat retention- the fibers of the wool fabric is crimped together, it has greater amount of bulk than the other fibers, which allow it to retain heat. If you live in a cold climate or if you are feet are cold, mens woolen socks would be a better option. Wool is known both to repel water and it can absorb or give off moisture. In fact, woolen fabrics can absorb 1/3rd of their weight in water before it gets wet.
Static resistant- the fact that it retains moisture prevents static electricity from building up and that is not an important selling point. It is nice to know that the feet will not get shocked when you slip in a pair of fresh socks from the dryer. Low maintenance- This may sound gross in a lot of ways, but woolen socks do not need to be washed after each wearing. If they are left out in the air to dry or spot cleaned, they can be worn a few times before it is washed. Cotton socks Breathable- Cotton socks tend to be much cooler than the woolen socks and insulate better.
Washable by machines- Unlike the woolen socks, the cotton ones can be washed in machines which is indeed a less thing to worry about Soft- cotton is a soft and a natural fiber, and it will not itch in any manner like the woolen ones. The term cheap is mentioned as merino wool is a fine grade of wool that does not itch easily. Cotton socks tend to sell better than the woolen socks, and for this reason, the manufacturers tend to focus them on more. Allergic reactions are less likely with cotton as very rarely one would find someone allergic to this material.
To sum it up, both the materials have their own advantages as well as pitfalls. But whatever material related to the socks you choose, have one eye on the climatic conditions you are likely to encounter. Comfort is also an important point to consider in the choice of socks.
