Originally Posted by
arctos
I have used Smartwool merino wool socks for the last five years with good results.
An alternative is by DeFeet designed for biking. I have used two pairs for the last year and like them very much. The thickest one is called the Woolie Boolie and is 64% merino wool, 34% Nylon, 1% Lycra. The thinner one is called the Wooleator. It is 63% merino wool, 26% Nylon, 10% Cordura, 1% Lycra.
Just yesterday for Christmas I received a pair of bike socks from Icebreaker. Mostly merino wool with a nice fit.
Depends on how cold:
For colder weather, I am wearing thin hiking socks that are longer and a bit thicker than ankle socks. I currently have a pair of Teko and Smartwool. I like both fine enough.
For winter ankle socks, I like DeFeet Wollie Boolies too. They fit well and keep their shape. Smartwool is ok; I find that the fibers that provide the cushion on the bottom of the foot aren't 'stable', in that over time these fibers fall out and the socks develop holes, while Woolie Boolie's of the same age are still going strong.
I am very excited about a new company, Teko. I wore thin Teko's in the summer, a pair of EcoMerino and another pair (don't remember thickness--sorry) of the IgneoPLA fiber made from corn:
http://www.tekosocks.com/perf.fibers.ingeo.html . Both worked well for me. I loved the color they has this summer, a wonderful dark yellow. I hope the company keeps this color. [edit] The color is called 'saffron' and is in their Ecomerino thin quarter. [edit2] And, this color is also in their ecopoly, of which I have at least 2 pairs in saffron. I like these socks!