Socks All Start from Fibers

Fibers come first at Swiftwick and they define how we make socks. We carefully select high-performance fibers that inherently move moisture rather than treating fibers with chemicals. We call this approach Fiber First™ Moisture Wicking and it is one of our core principles.

SWIFTWICK USES TECHNICAL FIBERS

That description makes Olefin sound like a miracle fiber. While that might be overstating it, this fiber is an ideal ingredient for making socks. Its hydrophobic properties are especially important and help comprise our Fiber First^TM  Moisture Wicking products. These socks are designed to be highly breathable and constructed to move moisture, keeping your feet comfortable and dry.

Olefin fiber is a key ingredient in many of our socks and might be a name that rings a bell for you. It’s used in a number of consumer products besides socks because of a host of great properties. It’s a material that’s stain, mildew and perspiration resistant. As well, it’s very lightweight and comfortable against the skin, and the fibers are exceptionally strong. Maybe most important, it displays exceptional wicking abilities.

Just as important as its performance properties, Olefin aligns well with our sustainability objectives. Olefin production requires less energy and produces fewer waste products than other common sock materials. As well, it utilizes far less water in the production process than other textile fibers.

Polyester is a high volume fiber typically used to create a plush feel. Swiftwick uses structurally modi­fied derivatives of polyester to achieve various performance benefits like the maximum cushioning in our MAXUS socks.

Nylon is a synthetic fiber that’s got a well-earned reputation for being one of the toughest materials available. That’s exactly why we use nylon to reinforce our socks and make them incredibly durable. Carefully optimizing the amount and placement of nylon in our socks to match their intended use helps us walk the fine line of delivering a product that is both rugged and high performing.

NATURE'S ORIGINAL TECHNICAL FIBERS

One of nature’s finest fibers for making socks, or really any next-to-skin apparel, is Merino wool. Wool has long been regarded for its warmth, but until Merino gained popularity, it was largely pigeon holed as the coarse yarn used by your grandmother to knit heavy, winter sweaters.

Merino breaks that stereotype because of its many unique properties. First, its fibers are much thinner than traditional wool. This makes it softer and wearable directly against the skin without causing scratchy irritation.

Worn against the skin, Merino traps air very efficiently. This is what gives it excellent thermal properties. Beyond that though, it also moves moisture very well. This natural wicking ability keeps your skin dry and comfortable, which is important in the cold. But it also opens the door to an unlikely benefit as well.
Merino is a great material to keep you cool in the summer too. It is able to move a large amount of moisture relative to its own weight before feeling saturated.

This helps keep you comfortably dry. And when that moisture is transported away from the skin and to the surface of the garment, evaporation cools you off. Pretty neat, huh?

And did we mention that Merino’s ability to ward off odor-causing bacteria means that it doesn’t get all smelly? Bonus!

IS THERE A PERFECT MIX OF FIBERS?

Not all socks are meant to perform under the same conditions. That’s why we knit our socks using varying combinations and proportions of fibers. Again like a tasty meal, every recipe is going to be different depending on the dish you want to create.

We’ve come up with a whole line of sock recipes using our favorite fiber ingredients. We’re confident that our socks are the best you will ever wear no matter your preferred activity, and that’s why we back them with our Best Sock Guarantee. So what are you waiting for? Find your favorite new socks!