Cotton lisle and Pima, for those unfamiliar with the terms, are top quality long staple cottons which have gone through special processes. ExtraFine Merino is also a vastly better product than what is commonly perceived as "wool". It does not scratch. It is soft. Yet it retains all the wonderful warming, shock cushioning and moisture absorbing features of wool. Today, most athletic socks are made from synthetic fibers such as acrylic and polypropylene. A recent study proved conclusively that merino and cotton fiber socks are vastly preferred over the modern synthetics for a number of reasons, primarily wearer comfort and odor buildup.

The wearer-comfort trials centered around slipperiness and dampness - two primary causes of discomfort. Both cotton and merino won over their man-made rivals by significant margins. Odor buildup was tested post-laundering. In this test, both cotton and merino far outpaced their synthetic rivals for freedom from odor.

All top-quality luxury socks should be laundered in cold water and dried without heat for the best longevity. A dryer is acceptable if used on the no-heat "fluff" setting.