The short answer: pick dress socks ($28) if you want warm feet in everyday shoes and boots, and sport socks ($35) if you want a thicker, cushioned sock for hiking, skiing or lazy weekends. Both are alpaca blends, both come in sizes for women and men, and when you buy 2 pairs you save 10% (3 pairs, 15%). For a gift, the three pair Sock Drawer Upgrade set is $69.
The best Winterborn alpaca socks, by what you need
| Best for | Socks | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday warmth in shoes and boots | Alpaca Dress Socks | $28 |
| Hiking, skiing and outdoor days | Alpaca Sport Socks | $35 |
| A ready made gift | Sock Drawer Upgrade, three pairs of dress socks | $69 |
| The person who has everything | Cozy Home Gift Set, dryer balls and dress socks | $62 |
Best everyday sock: Alpaca Dress Socks ($28). Thin enough to fit in regular shoes, warm enough for a winter commute. They blend alpaca with acrylic, nylon and spandex for stretch and shape. One verified buyer wrote: "These are THE BEST SOCKS EVER!!! They are soft, (don't itch like wool does), and they keep your feet cozy warm, even in zero degree weather."
Thin enough for everyday shoes, warm enough for winter.
Adds Royal Blue Alpaca Pattern, size Medium. More choices on the product page.
Best for the outdoors: Alpaca Sport Socks ($35). A thicker, cushioned sock made for hiking, ski days, snow shoveling and lounging at home. They are 50% alpaca, 41% acrylic, 8% nylon and 1% spandex. Sport socks are one of the most popular items at our holiday markets.
Thick and cushioned for hikes, ski days and boots.
Adds Star Pattern, size Medium. More choices on the product page.
Best gift: Sock Drawer Upgrade ($69). Three pairs of alpaca dress socks in one set, and you save $15 compared with buying them one by one. It is an easy gift for him, for her, or for anyone who complains about cold feet. One customer put it simply: "My husband LOVES these socks. Comfortable, soft, and warm."
Sock Drawer Upgrade Gift Set $69
Three pairs of alpaca dress socks. Save $15.
Adds three pairs of Royal Blue Alpaca Pattern, size Medium. More choices on the product page.
Best for the person who has everything: Cozy Home Gift Set ($62). A pair of dress socks plus a three pack of hand felted alpaca dryer balls. Save $9 on the pieces.
Dress socks plus three felted dryer balls. Save $9.
Adds Royal Blue Alpaca Pattern socks, size Medium, plus dryer balls. More choices on the product page.
Mixing styles? Our buy more, save more offer takes 10% off when you buy 2 items and 15% off when you buy 3 (gift sets are not included). See the full alpaca socks collection.
Why choose alpaca socks?
Warm feet without bulk. Alpaca fiber is naturally warm for its weight, which is why a fairly thin dress sock can still feel warm in winter shoes.
Less itch than wool for many people. Alpaca has no lanolin, the natural grease in sheep's wool that many people react to. "Don't itch like wool does" is how one verified buyer put it.
Handmade. Our socks are designed by Winterborn and handmade by artisans in Peru.
Alpaca vs merino vs cotton: an honest comparison
Cotton is comfortable and cheap, but it holds on to moisture. Damp cotton socks feel cold quickly, which is why cotton is a poor choice for winter.
Merino wool is a great sock fiber and the most common choice for performance socks. Many people find alpaca feels softer, and it has no lanolin, so it is a good option if merino still feels scratchy to you.
Blends are normal, and useful. Most good socks blend fibers, because a sock needs nylon for strength and spandex for stretch. Ours list the blend on each product page.
To be honest about wear: socks get more friction than any other piece you own. Like any natural fiber sock, alpaca socks last longer with gentle washing and air drying (see the care tips below).
Buying guide: how to choose alpaca socks
1. Start with the shoe. Dress shoes and sneakers need a thinner sock, so choose dress socks. Hiking and snow boots have room for the thicker sport socks.
2. Get the size right. Our socks come in Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large for women and men. For women, Small fits shoe sizes 5 to 8, Medium 8 to 10 and Large 10 and up. Check the size chart on each product page for men's sizes. Between sizes? Size up for boots.
3. Check the blend. Look for a real percentage of alpaca on the label, plus a little nylon and spandex for strength and stretch.
4. Buy more than one pair. Rotating two or three pairs gives each pair time to rest between wears. Buy 2 pairs and save 10%, or 3 pairs and save 15%.
5. Buying a gift? Choose a set. The Sock Drawer Upgrade is three pairs ready to give. See all alpaca gift sets.
6. Shipping and returns. Free US Economy shipping on orders over $50, from Lincolnwood, Illinois. Unused items can be returned within 30 days of delivery.
Alpaca socks FAQ
Are alpaca socks warmer than merino wool socks?
Both are warm natural fibers. Alpaca is known for warmth without weight, and many people find it softer than merino. One verified buyer describes our socks keeping feet "cozy warm, even in zero degree weather."
Do alpaca socks itch?
Many people find they do not. Alpaca has no lanolin, the wool grease that makes many people itch, and our socks are blended for softness.
How do you wash alpaca socks?
Turn them inside out and machine wash cold on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Air dry, away from direct heat. Skip the dryer and fabric softener. Always follow the care note on the product page.
Are alpaca socks good for sweaty feet?
Alpaca, like other natural fibers, handles moisture far better than cotton. For active days, choose the thicker sport socks and change into a dry pair after a long hike.
What is the difference between dress socks and sport socks?
Dress socks are thinner and fit in everyday shoes. Sport socks are thicker and cushioned for boots and outdoor activity.
Do alpaca socks make a good gift?
Yes. Socks are one of the easiest gifts to get right, and three pairs in the Sock Drawer Upgrade feel like a real treat.
Shop the socks in this guide
$28
Thin enough for everyday shoes, warm enough for winter.
$69
Three pairs of alpaca dress socks. Save $15.
Ready to warm up?
Shop the alpaca socks collection, or browse all alpaca gift sets. Cold hands too? See our alpaca mittens.
Designed by Winterborn, handmade by artisans in Peru and Ecuador. Customer quotes are from published reviews; some reviewers received a discount for sharing an honest review.