Possum Merino Socks from New Zealand

We try to be extra judicious when it comes to describing any product as "top-notch," pulling it out only in the rarest of instances and after much internal discussion. But we don't hesitate when it comes to these sox. Most “wool" sox these days are between 20 and 45 percent wool. Now and then you run into a Smart Wool that’s 70, and if you spend an hour on the internet you might beat that, but the pickings above that are slim. These are expensive, but unless you buy wool sox in six pax at Costco (nothing wrong with that, I got a friend who does), you know how expensive sox can get…and by that realistic modern standard, these aren’t bad. Luxury for your feet, if you figure you're worth it. 

Ideal for:

Walking, dog-walking, power-walking, running, cycling, weightlifting, CrossFit, aerobics, fly-tying, knitting, machining, forging, office work, reading, sleeping—any above-water activity. If you're a lineman for the county, these are your sox!

 Sizes:

S: fits most women and guys who wear up to a 7.5 shoe

M: large-footed women and guys up to about a 10

XL: world-class women and guys to about 12.

 Why no L? Thanks for asking, here’s the thinking: Women’s sox come in one size only. Ask any woman, she’ll tell you. Guys get too many sock sizes, and then everybody thinks, “I’m in between a M and L…or what if I’m an 11? And do they shrink?” Skipping the L simplifies the process some. If you ordinarily wear an L, get XL, wash or dry them warmer, see how that goes.

 Washing: As the label says, and when in doubt, buy the larger size and count on them to get tossed in with the hotwash by accident some time.

S: Gray (; Light Blue; Olive; Pomegranate Mystery Illusion (only small)

M: Denim; Light Blue; Olive; Charcoal; Silver

L: Denim; Raspberry (large only)

XL: Denim; Olive; Charcoal;

 Bonus: Since they’re reversible, it’s almost exactly like paying half price. Plus, by flip-flopping, you can easily wear the same pair four days straight.

UGLY STORY BEHIND THESE SOX

Every night, imported and now invasive Australian opposums eat 20 tons of native New Zealand forest, and gobble up flightless birds and bird eggs as they go. The NZ gov’t and people in general are sick of it but used to it. It’s amazing that the whole country doesn’t look like a golf course. The possums multiply fast and have no predators. Ugly scene, fascinating but no fun to talk about, but sometimes you just need to know.

 As a way to kill off the bad possums, the NZ gov’t encourages and helps subsidizes businesses that make things out of possum wool. These NW Woolies (a blend of merino, possum, and nylon (“for strength”) came of that plan, and us importing them and you buying them greases the skids.