PTC tests the Silverpoint Alpaca Merino Wool Hiker socks and finds them immensely comfortable.

Alpaca wool is now a common enough resource to be used in socks, and it’s softer, stronger and warmer than merino, too, due to its hollow fibres. Merino still wins on moisture management, wider availability and therefore cost, so Silverpoint have mixed those two natural fibres together along with some synthetics which make up 40% of the socks’ structure.

Peter Macfarlane’s Best in Test

The Hiker is marginally the most expensive sock in my test selection, but easily the most comfortable.
Pros
  • excellent comfort
Cons
  • cost
Quick specs
Price: $25 / £18.99
Weight: 92g pair, size large
Materials: 15% Alpaca Wool, 45% Merino Wool, 20% Acrylic, 15% Polyamide, 5% Elastane
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Men’s version: Unisex
Available from Outdoor Action

In use, this mix makes for a luxuriously soft and comfortable sock. The Hikers’ comfort hasn’t come at the cost of durability, and the internal padding loops still spring back well after many wear/wash cycles. The outer surface has developed a light web of loose fibres, which haven’t affected performance and I’ve left alone.

The Hikers’ have a pleasant amount of comfort and warmth in both trail shoes and boots and I’ve been happy enough above the snowline in them as well as ankle deep in bog on my local trails. They remain warm when wet and dry out well on the move. I feel they maintain better cushioning when wet as well. I can happily wear the Hiker’s for a week between washes and even after a couple of days wear, I can dry them out, beside me in the sleeping bag, without wanting to throw them back outside!

Fit is excellent, the synthetic content keeping the sock in reliable shape as well as adding durability. The Hiker is marginally the most expensive sock in my test selection, but easily the most comfortable.

Testing conditions

Peter has a size 9UK foot with low-ish volume, a wide forefoot and a narrow heel and ankle. His feet tend to stay an even temperature across the seasons. He used the test socks over an extended period in all seasons and conditions in various footwear on trail and hillwalks as well as for extensive everyday use.

This review was first published in the May 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors.