Truly. But there are some I like more than others.
After years of raising alpacas, selling alpaca socks and wearing them myself, I've developed a few favourites. I could happily talk about the properties of alpaca fibre all day long, but what I find more interesting than the science is how these socks feel to wear, and watching people discover that for themselves. If it's the why you're after, I've written about that in The Socks I Trust.
The Moment It Clicks
Alpaca socks feel one way when you hold them in your hand, different again when you pull them on, and then something surprising happens when you slip your socked foot into a shoe.
The sock seems to settle into the shoe and fill every gap. It's like a warm hug for your foot.
It isn't what people expect, which is why it's so hard to explain to someone who hasn't tried it.
It's one of my favourite things about having a farm shop. Even when someone has already decided to buy a pair, I encourage them to try them on before leaving. Partly to make sure the fit is right, but I'll admit I'm also waiting for the aha! moment.
There's often a change in expression when someone puts their shoe back on. Sometimes it's surprise, sometimes a smile, and sometimes they just look at me as if to say, "Oh, NOW I get it!" After all these years, I still get a kick out of it and it still makes me proud.
There's No One-Size-Fits-All Answer
As enthusiastic as I am, what feels great to me won't necessarily feel the same to you. Comfort is personal. Some people love a thick, cushioned sock, while others find that too bulky.
And no sock can guarantee warm feet for everyone in every situation. Footwear, activity, circulation and how well your boots fit all play a part. I'd much rather help you find a sock that works for you than promise any pair will solve every cold-foot problem.
So here are a few favourites from my own sock drawer, and why I keep reaching for them. Yours may well turn out to be different, and that's perfectly fine.
What's in My Sock Drawer?
The Heavy Storm is the pair I reach for most in the colder months. They're cozy from the moment I put them on, substantial without being uncomfortable, and I love slipping them into my boots before heading out to the animals. Warmth is almost a side benefit as far as I'm concerned. They're also our best seller, and judging by the farmers, fishers and outdoor workers who keep coming back for more, I'm not alone.
The Short Storms are the same sock as the Heavy Storm, just shorter, so you get all the same comfort in a lower cut. Several of our staff wore them all summer long in their high-top Converse, which tells you they're not just a winter sock. There's more on that in Alpaca Socks for Year-Round Comfort.
The Nor'Easters are a little bulkier, and I save them for the coldest days, or for evenings when I'm quite happy to stay slouched on the sofa while the weather does its worst. Sometimes the best reason to wear a pair of socks has nothing to do with going anywhere at all.
The Trail Socks are a newer addition, and I absolutely love mine. They're ankle length, so quite different from the Heavy Storm, but they give you that same surprise when you put your shoes on. They're my everyday pair, and it's been gratifying to hear from customers who've been testing them on hikes. One told us her feet didn't hurt, burn or sweat on the trail. Another, who normally wears hand-knit wool socks, said she loved that they stayed in place without feeling tight.
Those are the reviews I enjoy most, because they describe what it's actually like to wear them.
The Lite Storms are my lighter option for days I don't want the substance of the Heavys, although I'll confess they sometimes get their turn simply because my Heavy Storms are in the wash.
Why I Think They're Worth It
A good pair of alpaca socks costs more than a department store multipack, and I won't pretend otherwise. If you've never worn them, it's fair to wonder whether they're worth it.
I wear alpaca socks every day of the year, rotating through the different styles and pairs, and I usually get several seasons or more out of each pair. That's more than I can say for any multipack I've ever bought. Of course, how often you wear them, what you wear them with and how you care for them will all affect how long they last.
There's also a difference between buying socks because you need something on your feet and choosing socks for how they make your feet feel all day. For me, that's worth something, and judging by how many customers come back for another pair, often in a different style, I'm not alone.
When you spend a good part of your day on your feet, I think there's something to be said for making them as comfortable as possible. Whether that's a warehouse floor, a long day in a dory or a combine, or the cement floors of my own shop and studio, your feet notice the difference.
That doesn't make them the right choice for everyone. It means that for those of us who love how they feel, they've earned their place in the drawer.
A Gift Worth Giving
And then there are the gift-givers. We see plenty of customers coming back to buy socks for someone else, particularly as Christmas approaches. Sometimes they're buying for someone who works outdoors, sometimes for someone who's always complaining about cold feet, and sometimes simply because they've enjoyed their own socks so much they want someone else to experience them.
I rather like that last reason. There's something lovely about giving a gift you already know you love yourself.
Finding Your Own Favourite
If you're already a convert, you probably know exactly what I'm talking about. And if you've never tried alpaca socks, I hope you'll give them a chance.
When you're ready, you can explore our Sock Collection online, or visit us at the farm shop, where I'll happily help you find the right pair.
And don't be surprised if I ask you to try them on before you leave. I'll be watching for that smile.
If you already wear our alpaca socks, which style is your favourite, and what do you love most about them? I'd love to hear in the comments.