When I searching for a wool sock online for cold winter days, accidently, I saw GoWith Alpaca socks and gave a chance! After 2 years of experience I can conclude that, they are not only eco-friendly but also fairly comfortable alpaca socks, though a bit itching 🙂 GoWith Alpaca Socks are good blend of alpaca and sheep wool and they come with two-pack affordable bundle. Here is my two years of alpaca socks review.
By Metin KARAL – Review Editor
We research, test, and if applicable, rate the products that We used. We know the importance of Trusted Reviews. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links.
What is Alpaca?
Alpaca is a beautiful camelid. They are mainly living at South America. They can be confused by Llamas, but they are different (though they are related). Alpacas are smaller than Llamas. Alpacas are mainly bred for their valuable fiber. Alpaca wool is very valuable and mostly used for socks, hats and gloves. Reason is simple: they keep warmer. In addition, Alpaca wool is lighter and better in water retention compared to merino wool. For this reason they are mainly preferred in such textiles. But, alpaca wool is more expensive than merino wool, unfortunately.
Material
GoWith Alpaca Socks are consist of 40% Alpaca, 48% Wool and 12% Polyamide. As seen, these socks are made of highly natural soft alpaca and wool yarn.
Using Alpaca and Wool material on socks have big advantages.
First of all, they are natural. They are made of natural amino acids and produced from sustainable sources (alpaca and sheep). An alpaca can produce 2 to 5 kg alpaca fiber per year. In addition, alpaca wool can degrade in nature just in 12-24 months. Very eco-friendly.
Alpaca and sheep wool eliminate sweat away from skin easily. For this reason prevents production of bacteria. No Bacteria = No Odor 🙂 This is very important for me 🙂
Comfort – Alpaca vs Merino Wool Socks
GoWith Alpaca Socks are blend of alpaca and merino wool material. In general, alpaca wool has similar softness with merino wool. But alpaca is more warmth than merino. For this reason, alpaca socks are better than pure merino wool socks, in terms of warmth, especially in winter.
This model is designed as Winter Crew socks. Most of the alpaca socks are produced from 30% alpaca wool but this socks are 40% alpaca wool. There are some advertised 100% alpaca wool socks but, usually they are not. You can understand this just by looking their prices. 100% alpaca socks can’t be cheaper than blend socks 🙂
In short, I can say that these alpaca socks are fairly comfortable. In contrast to pure merino wool socks, I don’t feel much itching with this alpaca and merino wool blend socks. I used them both in home and outdoor with and without shoes and I felt fairly comfortable. In addition, Alpaca wool is lighter and better in water retention compared to merino wool.
Fit
GoWith Socks are relatively thin socks. It is suitable for home and city use. Might be suitable for moderate low temperature hiking but I think, not for serious hiking experiences.
This socks doesn’t have elastane in contrast to similar socks. Many similar socks include 2% – 4% elastane for elasticity. Although it is not listed in the product label, it looks like it has some material for elasticity. For this reason it fits to my feet good. Neither too tight nor loose.
My shoe size is 43(EU) / 9.5(US) but I bought 39-42 (EU) size and fits perfect. For this reason, I advise you to buy 39-42 EU sized socks if your foot size is up to 44 (EU).
Breathability and Wicking
A good sock must regulate your foot temperature and make it dry in all weather conditions. Keeping heat inside of socks is a big problem. In that case, as the temperature increased by your body heat, your foot starts to get wet!
Alpaca wool fibers have a hollow structure and keeps more heat than regular wool. For this reason, it keeps your feet warmth. But, alpaca wool fibers have wicking properties. For this reason, as moisture starts to appear, it starts evaporate also, due to heat and wicking properties of alpaca wool fibers. Result is dry and warmth foot 🙂
GoWith Alpaca Socks have moderate thick design. I tested this socks at 5-10 oC outdoor and +20 oC indoor temperatures and see no sweat.
Odor Test
As stated before, alpaca wool fibers have a hollow structure that keep more heat, but alpaca fibers have wicking properties. For this reason, as your feet get wet, produced sweat starts to evaporate out side of socks. They are “breathable”.
Indeed, I tested GoWith alpaca socks in different temperatures, and did not see moisture and sweat. Less sweat means less bacteria. Less bacteria means much less odor 🙂
I can not say that, there is no odor, but I can say that, this odor is almost negligible.
Gowith Socks Maintenance
According to manufacturers label (seen below), consider following guides for washing and maintenance. We have machine washed them many many times and no deformation yet!
- Wash at 30 oC
- Do not bleach
- Do not iron
- Do no dry clean
- Do not tumble dry
Value
GoWith alpaca socks are fairly budget value socks compared to its features. It has 40% alpaca and 48% merino wool. 40% alpaca wool is a big plus for that price. It successfully regulates your foot temperature and keep it warmth. It is sold as two-pack and with reasonable price.
About GoWith
GoWith is a Berlin, Germany based company. It has three warehouse in the world. Berlin (Germany), Toronto (Canada) and Georgia (USA). They produce most of their products in Turkey. Company mainly concentrated on quality socks production.
Key Decision Making Factors
Reasons to Buy
- Breathable
- Keep Heat
- Eco Friendly material
- Not Expensive
Reasons to Avoid
- Not for sub-zero outdoor activities
- Little itchy
Conclusion
GoWith alpaca socks are good blend of 40% alpaca, 48% merino wool and 12% Polyamide. It is mainly made from eco-friendly natural materials. They have certificate of OEKO-TEX Confidence in Textiles.
Soft alpaca and merino wool material make this socks fairly soft and comfortable. I’m using that alpaca socks mor than two years and I can conclude that It is suitable for home and outdoor usage. Its wicking properties eliminates moisture from socks and reduce bad odor. In general, alpaca socks provide good warmth. But it has moderate thickness. If you are planning to use it for sub zero outdoor activities, I advice you to search for something serious (and expensive) alternatives.
In sort, GoWith alpaca socks are fairly budget socks with exclusive features.
Is it worth for the money? In my opinion, Absolutely worth it, at that price.
GoWith Alpaca Socks Review
Our Verdict
GoWith Alpaca socks are good blend of 40% alpaca, 48% merino wool and 12% Polyamide. Its is mainly made from eco-friendly natural materials. They are good blend of alpaca and sheep wool, come as 2-pack bundle.
Where to Buy?
Buy From Amazon
Alternatively, Buy From Producer, GoWith
Written by Metin Karal
Metin Karal is a Computer Engineer and He is interested in reviewing products that He used or liked. He also likes programming in C#. Currently, He is developing a really challenging memory game, PairMem which is available at Official Microsoft Store for free download.