Wool kilt hose?

**antgrippi** · 2nd November 11, 08:34 AM

Hello all,
you guys have been great at answering all of my questions about kilts I've been looking at, so I figured this was the place for this question too. As I wait for my survivor UK to get here, I've been looking for some wool socks to wear with it, and am curious about blends. Is a wool blend sock/hose at all comparable to 100%wool. reason I ask is obviously price, but also cleaning. I don't know if I want to have to hand wash and dry socks. I would need a bunch of them, and they are expensive. wool blends are way cheaper, and usually machine washable, but are they near as warm, and breathable? Thanks guys, I know you's have all the answers.

**davidg** · 2nd November 11, 09:02 AM

To be honest there is little difference if you purchase a quality brand. Pure wool, being a natural fibre, breathes better than synthetic fibres, is cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold weather. Polyester on the other hand helps retain shape. There is also the possibility that 100% synthetic fibre may be the way to go if you have any allergies to wool but such hose would be difficult to find

It really is a matter of personal choice combined with what you can get. In other words the pair of hose you particularly like might simply only come either in 100% wool or as a blend and you either buy them or you don't

**ForresterModern** · 2nd November 11, 09:21 AM

Utilikilts being a more casual style they tend to be worn more with regular boots and heavy duty hose than with traditional kilt hose and shoes, but that is by no means exclusive. In some climes and seasons they are even worn with flip flops and other lightweight footgear.

As far as kilt hose are concerned they vary from pure acryllic to usually some blend of mostly merino and some spandex, acryllic and/or nylon, to 100% wool, especially with the custom made argyll and diced and other custom woven hose. I usually wear my kilt woolies with a pair of synthetic sock liners as I would wear if I was out on a long hike in regular hiking socks and boots, as they keep the wool off my sweaty feet and ankles as well as providing another layer of movement between my skin and shoes to minimize rubbing or blistering. Also helps minimize the amount of foot sweat that gets into the outer woollies as well as allowing the woolies to last a bit longer from the wear standpoint.

**piperdbh** · 2nd November 11, 09:31 AM

There are some wool-blend socks that are machine washable and dryable. Check outdoors/hiking-type stores, as well as work uniform sectyions in some department stores.

**seanachie** · 2nd November 11, 12:47 PM

Maybe my Air Force training, but handwashing hose is not a big deal and can be done fairly quickly. Typically I do it while waiting for a load of wash to finish.

On another note, for inexpensive but decent hose for casual kilts take a look at sockdreams.com. I have a few pair and find them a great value for casual use. I would not wear them for a dress occassion, but you would likely not with a UK.

**tulloch** · 2nd November 11, 01:07 PM

Wool socks wear out faster than synthetic blends. That is one reason to use blended fibers.

Washing? I wear them in the tub and wash with shampoo at the end of my bath. Had I a shower I would do the same. After rinsing them I squeeze, (not wring), them and set them aside. Once I have dried myself I roll them in the towel, press it well and then hang them from the towel bar or curtain rod.

In Summer it takes a couple days to dry. In Winter with the dry air they are often dry enough to wear the next day.

**room2ndfloor** · 2nd November 11, 01:27 PM

[QUOTE=antgrippi;1031842]Hello all,
Is a wool blend sock/hose at all comparable to 100%wool. reason I ask is obviously price, but also cleaning. I don't know if I want to have to hand wash and dry socks. I would need a bunch of them, and they are expensive. wool blends are way cheaper, and usually machine washable, but are they near as warm, and breathable?
****************************

Consider me the Wool Cheerleader. I have a lifelong affinity for it, and I've knitted up miles and miles of it in my lifetime.

The good qualities of wool (loft, insulation, absorption, ventilation, microbe-resistance) are not diminished by blending with up to 25% of another fiber, such as nylon or polyester. Most wool socks sold here in the US have 10% nylon spun into the yarn, so that they wear longer. Sometimes, you can see that the heels and toes are reinforced with nylon yarn.

Assuming that you keep your toenails and heels properly groomed (pumice and lotion are not vanity, they keep your feet healthy), a good pair of wool socks should last you five years at least. I've had some last for twelve years.

For socks/stockings, you really do get what you pay for. The best quality is less expensive on a per-use calculation. Less expensive socks are often thinner and more loosely knitted.

Please do not fear the proper care of socks. With a little practice, it is not much bother.

Wool socks sold commercially (not hand-knitted) are usually marked "superwash" or "machine washable". I machine-wash all socks, including the ones I hand-knit, in a mesh bag (sold in the laundry section of the market) on the delicate cycle of the machine, along with other clothing suitable to that setting. I use unheated tap water. Hot water shrinks wool and most fibers. Modern detergents do not need hot water to remove body oils and germs from clothing.

I do not machine-dry any socks, even those marked as "machine-dryable". The reason for this: machine drying breaks down fibers and abrades clothing, making it wear out faster. The dryer lint is small bits of your clothes. The washing machine cycle spins socks to just barely damp. I then drape the socks over a plastic or wooden clothes hanger, and hang them on a towel bar in the bathroom to dry. They are usually ready to wear again within eight hours.

Another practice that will help your socks last longer: let the wool rest; don't wear the same pair two days in a row. Have at least three pairs: one to wash, one to wear, one to spare.

**antgrippi** · 2nd November 11, 02:10 PM

Wow, thank you. all things I did not know about wool, or socks. even some laundry tips I hadn't a clue about. Well, that's pretty much any laundry though. My wife doesn't like me touching the machine. Haha. Anyway, I'm certainly better informed on what to buy.

**rondo** · 2nd November 11, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by seanachie

sockdreams.com. I have a few pair and find them a great value for casual use. I would not wear them for a dress occassion, but you would likely not with a UK.

I second this. I have several pair of their socks. Great value.

Rondo

**Chas** · 3rd November 11, 07:43 AM

When I joined the RAF in 1970 the hose (because they were over-the-calf length) were all wool. For servicemen it was no biggie to hand was every day. Just part of the routine.

The problem is - wool gets thin. It quite literally wears away. So we would have to darn our hose and put up with the blisters because we weren't very good at it or try and exchange them in stores.

Time moves on and now we get wool mixtures, so our hose last longer. I have a few pairs of antique hand-knit Argyle hose (ankle upwards) which I am having attached on to modern sock feet, so I will have the best of both worlds.

Regards

Chas