Wool Socks

[Bertilak]

Saw one of these shows last night: "How It's Made", "How Do They Do It", "Factory Made" -- I forget which. They had a segment on making socks and the fancy automated knitting machines they use.

So, why is this post in the "Shaving Soaps" forum? Well, because they talked about lanolin. They said wool socks had lanolin which is a natural anti-bacterial.

Has anyone else heard this? Not sure I trust those shows as I have heard things that I know are untrue, even things that contradict other things said on the same show. (I think "How It's Made" is probably the most reliable of those shows.)

 

[mblakele]

Perhaps a slight exaggeration or overstatement? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanolin says that medical-grade lanolin is bacteriostatic. That means it inhibits growth of bacteria, but isn't actively antiseptic.

Of course, wikipedia isn't 100% reliable... neither am I, come to think of it.

 

[Bertilak]

Perhaps a slight exaggeration or overstatement? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanolin says that medical-grade lanolin is bacteriostatic. That means it inhibits growth of bacteria, but isn't actively antiseptic.

Of course, wikipedia isn't 100% reliable... neither am I, come to think of it.

I don't remember the exact term they used so it could be me who introduced any overstatement.

I suppose I should have Googled before asking but when I heard "lanolin" I immediately thought of MWF and that made me think of B&B -- thus my post here.

Whatever they actually said on that show was ar least not completely off base. Makes me think that wool socks might be a good idea. Maybe they make some that are light enough for everyday wear, but I always equate "wool sock" with "gym sock", or outdoor winter activity type of sock.

 

[mblakele]

I wear wool blends frequently: mostly they are wool and lycra, sold at REI as hiking socks. They come in various weights, and they don't necessarily look like hiking socks.

 

[Bertilak]

I wear wool blends frequently: mostly they are wool and lycra, sold at REI as hiking socks. They come in various weights, and they don't necessarily look like hiking socks.

Think I'll take a look -- I've been an REI member since about 1974. Haven't shopped there too much lately, though.

 

[col conk]

I have read different articles and at best the information is conflicting.

I have read before that lanolin is antifungal an antibacterial ( other sources than wikipedia but not scientific or medical research)

I have also read studies (medical research) on the preparation of antibiotics that state when streptomycin, penicillin were incorporated in water-insoluble vehicles ( lanolin specifically ) the antibacterial action was inhibited. When incorporated in water-soluble vehicles ( glycerin), antibacterial action was unimpaired. ... Meaning that lanolin reduces the effectivness of these antibiotics and is not a good base for antibiotics creams and ointments.

 

[lafrancis]

Hard to believe there would be much lanolin left in the wool after all the processing and dying. Who knows. Sounds interesting, though.

 

[kingfisher]

It's not an exaggeration to say that something bacteriostatic is a "natural antibacterial."

Many of the antibiotics given to you by physicians to treat infections are bacteriostatic. Practically speaking, provided you have a relatively normal immune system, there isn't much difference between a bactericidal and a bacteriostatic antibiotic.

 

[riooso]

I wear wool socks every day. I use to use a cotton sock and at the end of the day my feet were wet. Since I started using wool socks my feet at the end of the day are dry and comfortable which is why they may not smell. I wear boots on 100 degree days in the norther California. I don't know how wool would do in a humid state like Flordia though.

Take Care,
Richard

 

[Trawlerman]

I wear wool socks every day. I use to use a cotton sock and at the end of the day my feet were wet. Since I started using wool socks my feet at the end of the day are dry and comfortable which is why they may not smell. I wear boots on 100 degree days in the norther California. I don't know how wool would do in a humid state like Flordia though.

Take Care,
Richard

+1 on this. I wear British Army socks all the time and never have any problems with foot odour. I work on Security and am often out at work for 16+ hours wearing big / heavy combat boots and find wool socks to be an excellent companion with them. Besides combating odor, my feet never really get sore either

I just wish my step-son would take the hint and start wearing 'em too

 

[mouscacha]

I don't know how wool would do in a humid state like Flordia though.

Take Care,
Richard

not good. I wear wool socks in Hawaii sometimes. This is usually when it's "cold." (60s). My feet feel uncomfortably hot and sweaty on a hot day in wool socks. That's what I get for listening to the shoe salesman at nordstrom.