Smartwool

Smartwool started making socks back in 1994, their founders simply wanted to be able to ski longer without getting cold toes. They discovered the benefits of Merino wool as a performance fabric. It was soft (softer than any wool they had ever felt), moisture-wicking, thermoregulating (warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s warm), sustainable, and odour-neutralizing—helping to keep feet dry, comfortable, and warm for longer than the synthetic socks they were wearing at the time. They were the first outdoor company to make performance Merino wool ski socks

Smartwool strive for sustainability:

They partner with organizations like ZQ Merino who focus on creating practices that not only watch out for the environment and Merino sheep, but also create a sustainable economy for growers to ensure their way of life.

Smartwool take garment scraps from their Merino 250 base layers and use them in the insulation of their Smartloft products. This led to them scrutinizing and re-evaluating every step in their supply chain. They want to take every chance they can to make sure there are no missed opportunities to make sustainable wool clothes and socks.

They also use Recycled Wool Fibre in some of their fleeces to further reduce their impact without losing the performance benefits of wool.