Last Updated on December 1, 2024
Smartwool combines Merino wool gear with innovation and ingenuity to create quality outdoor products for the entire family. Their clothing and accessories protect their customers from the elements and make them feel good while doing so. Gear up for our extensive Smartwool review!
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Brief History of Smartwool
In the early 90s, ski instructors Peter and Patty Duke used to get off the Rockies’ slopes with cold, wet feet. They spent years trying to construct a high-quality sock that could combat the harsh elements of winter. Finally, in the mid-90s, they crafted a Merino wool sock that met all of their needs. Smartwool was soon born.
In 2011, Smartwool was bought by Timberland Clothing Company, which is a subsidiary of VF Corporation.
We stand behind everything we make. We promise to make our products with incredible attention to comfort, fit, and durability—because we want you to love our gear as much as we do.
The Smartwool Promise
Merino Wool Clothing & Specialties
Smartwool has several Merino wool products, including t-shirts, sweaters, tights, and underwear, all of which are top-quality. In fact, their classic base layer is by far one of our favorite Merino wool base layers. It regulates your body’ microclimate extremely well, and comes in tons of colors and patterns.
Yet, the one thing they do the best is socks. In fact, after a brief search, we found that nearly three-quarters of their listed products are socks. With so many socks to choose from, it can be difficult to find a pair that suits your needs. Luckily, Smartwool has a sock finder that you can use to find the best socks for you. Still, there are a few styles and pairs that stand apart from the rest. Check them out below!
Smartwool Review: What We Like
Out of all the Merino wool sock companies, Smartwool is one of our favorites. Although they sell many more products aside from socks, they have one of the best complete sock collections on the market.
By sticking to their roots and focusing on performance, they have created some of the industry’s top sock technologies. Some of their innovative lines include:
- PhD® Socks
- PhD® Pro Socks
- Indestructawool™ Technology
- Shred Shield™ Technology
- 4-Degree™ Elite Fit
Building on their sock expertise, we love that Smartwool has put together a “Sock Finder” tool so that you can discover the sock that’s perfect for you. Here are the criteria that you can choose.
| Criteria | Options |
| Activities | Biking, Everday, Hiking, Hunting, Running, Skiing, Snowboarding, Training, Traveling |
| Sock Height | Not Showing, Barely Showing, Over My Ankle, to My Calf, To My Knee |
| Thickness (Cushion) | Zero, Light, Full, Extra, Maximum |
| Features | Fun Colors, Warmth, High-Tech Performance, Value, Comfort |
| Shoe Size | 3 – 5.5, 6 – 8.5, 9 – 11.5, 12 – 14.5 |
Outdoor athletes test all of their apparel, so you know your clothing will come finely-engineered for the rigors of the wilderness.
On top of all this incredible sock technology, they also make plenty of outdoor apparel. What sets a lot of this apparel apart from other competitors is the color and pattern availability. It’s not just the same drab gray or black, as Smartwool uses a proprietary printing process to form unique, fashionable patterns on a lot of their products.
Smartwool Review: Areas to Improve
While Smartwool’s sock line is one of our favorites, some of their other collections do not fully meet our expectations. We have noticed that some of their pants and t-shirts have had issues with pilling, pinholes, and poor stitching after only a few washes. Also, the necklines can quickly lose shape and turn into “bacon.”
Although much of these issues with the durability of Merino wool, we see across all companies. It’s imperative that you properly treat and care for your Merino wool clothing to increase its longevity. It is even more critical with Smartwool apparel, as overall, they are one of the more expensive outfitters.
Our suggestion is to follow whatever laundry care instructions are on the tag exactly. That way, if you do have an issue with your clothing, you can justify returning or replacing it with their excellent warranty.
For common tips about taking care of your Merino wool clothing, you can check our complete care guide.
Sustainability Efforts
As Smartwool crafts many of its products to explore the environment, they are incredibly committed to sustainability. They offer comprehensive transparency reports of their clothing, from the sheep all the way to your closet. They clearly state that they do everything they can to protect the earth so that all of their customers can fully appreciate nature’s beauty.
Apart from their stated commitment to the environment, Smartwool has also put their money where their mouth is by creating a line of recycled fabric products. They use recycled wool fibers, along with nylon and polyester, for insulation and other applications. Not only does this help create less waste in landfills, but its innovative reclamation process offers high-quality garments.
The less sheep being used to make clothing, the less methane is emitted into the atmosphere, thus slowing down global warming.
Ethics & Sourcing
All of Smartwool’s products are ZQ-certified, which is the best for ethical Merino wool. They ensure the animal’s welfare through ‘The Five Freedoms of the Flock’ and closely monitor the entire clothing production process. Below are the five aspects of the ZQ Standard that companies must follow:
- Animal Welfare (specifically Merino sheep)
- Environmental Sustainability
- Quality Fibers and Materials
- Full Traceability from Sheep to Closet
- Enhanced Social Responsibility
Smartwool achieves these standards through rigorous auditing, ensuring that they are following established ethical practices every step of the way through Merino clothing manufacturing
How To Find Deals On Smartwool Apparel?
The best place to look for Smartwool discounts is by typing “sale” into the search bar on their website. You can also look for the “Web Specials” tab to provide deals for clothing sold exclusively online.
Smartwool’s products are also sold on Amazon and in REI, so keep an eye out for any Black Friday deals or REI Garage Sales. If you want to get an even lower price, look into the gear trade subreddits, where people sell and trade gently used outdoor clothing.
Moreover, if you are looking for gently used gear at a reasonable price, Smartwool has recently introduced their Second Cut™ program. You can recycle unused Smartwool clothing for credit for new gear or just shop for gear that uses this recycled material. You can learn more about their Second Cut™ program below!
Smatwool Sizing Charts
Smartwool offers several different types of clothing, so be sure to check the sizing chart beforehand. Most of them run true-to-size from what we know, but you may want to consult product reviews if you are unsure.
Men’s Sizing Charts
Men’s Smartwool Apparel Sizing Chart (Tops and Bottoms)
| Size | Chest (in.) | Waist (in.) | Hip (in.) | Arm Length (in.) | Inseam (in.) |
| S | 36 -38 | 29 – 31 | 36 – 38 | 31 – 32 | 30 – 31 |
| M | 39 – 41 | 32 – 34 | 39 – 41 | 32 – 33 | 31 – 32 |
| L | 42 – 44 | 35- 37 | 42 – 44 | 33 – 34 | 32 – 33 |
| XL | 45 – 48 | 38 – 40 | 45 – 48 | 34 – 35 | 33 – 34 |
| XL – 16 | 49 – 51 | 41 – 44 | 49 – 51 | 35 – 36 | 34 – 35 |
Men’s Smartwool Socks Sizing Chart
| Size | US shoe size | EU shoe size | UK shoe size | Calf Circumference ( in.) |
| S | 3 – 5.5 | 34 – 37 | 2 – 4.5 | 11 – 14.5 |
| M | 6 – 8.5 | 38 – 41 | 5 – 7.5 | 12.5 – 16.5 |
| L | 9 – 11.5 | 42 – 45 | 8 – 10.5 | 14.5 – 18 |
| XL | 12 – 14.5 | 46 – 49 | 11 – 13.5 | 16 – 23 |
Smartwool Glove Sizing Chart
| Size | Hand Size (in.) |
| XS | 6 – 6.5 |
| S | 7 – 7.5 |
| M | 8 – 8.5 |
| L | 9 – 9.5 |
| XL | 10 – 10.5 |
Smartwool Hat Sizing Chart
| Size | Head Circumference (in.) |
| Adult – One Size Fits Most (1SFM) | 21.5 – 23.5 |
Women’s Sizing Charts
Women’s Smartwool Apparel Sizing Chart (Tops and Bottoms)
| Size | Chest (in.) | Waist (in.) | High Hip (in.) | Hip (in.) | Arm Length (in.) | Inseam (in.) |
| XS (2) | 32 – 33 | 24 – 25 | 31 – 32 | 35 – 36 | 27 – 28 | 29 – 30 |
| S (4 – 6) | 34 – 35 | 26 – 27 | 33 – 34 | 37 – 38 | 28 -29 | 30 – 31 |
| M (8 – 10) | 36 – 38 | 28 – 30 | 35 – 36 | 39 – 40 | 29 -30 | 31 – 32 |
| L (12-14) | 39 -40 | 31 – 32 | 37 – 38 | 41 – 42 | 30 – 31 | 32 – 33 |
| XL (16) | 41 – 42 | 33 – 34 | 39 – 40 | 43 – 44 | 31 – 32 | 33 – 34 |
Women’s Smartwool Socks Sizing Chart
| Size | US shoe size | EU shoe size | UK shoe size | Calf Circumference (in.) |
| S | 4 – 6.5 | 34 – 37 | 2 – 4.5 | 11 – 14.5 |
| M | 7 – 9.5 | 38 – 41 | 5 – 7.5 | 12.5 – 16.5 |
| L | 10 – 12.5 | 42 – 45 | 8 -10.5 | 14.5 – 18 |
| XL | N/A | 46 – 49 | 11 – 13.5 | 16 – 23 |
Women’s Smartwool Bras Sizing Chart
| Size | Comparable Bra Size | Impact |
| XS | 30A, 30B, 30C, 32A, 32B | Medium (A,B), Low (C) |
| S | 32A, 32B, 32C, 34A, 34B | Medium (A,B), Low (C) |
| M | 34A, 34B, 34C, 36A, 36B | Medium (A,B), Low (C) |
| L | 36A, 36B, 36C, 38A, 38B | Medium (A,B), Low (C) |
| XL | 38A, 38B, 38C | Medium (A,B), Low (C) |
Smartwool Gloves Sizing Chart
| Size | Hand Size (in.) |
| XS | 6 – 6.5 |
| S | 7 – 7.5 |
| M | 8 – 8.5 |
| L | 9 – 9.5 |
| XL | 10 – 10.5 |
Smartwool Hats Sizing Chart
| Size | Head Circumference (in.) |
| Adult – One Size Fits Most (1SFM) | 21.5 – 23.5 |
Kid’s Sizing Charts
Kids Smartwool Apparel Sizing Chart
| Size | Age | Chest (in.) | Waist (in.) | Height (in.) | Weight (lbs) |
| XS | 4 -5 | 24 – 25 | 22 – 22.5 | 42 – 48 | 42 – 49 |
| S | 6 – 8 | 22.5 – 26.5 | 23 – 24 | 48 – 54 | 49 – 59 |
| M | 9 – 10 | 27 – 28 | 24.5 – 25 | 54 – 57 | 59 – 75 |
| L | 11 – 12 | 28.5 – 30 | 25.5 – 26 | 57 – 60 | 75 – 89 |
| XL | 13 -14 | 30.5 – 32 | 26.5 – 28 | 60 – 62 | 89 – 100 |
Kids Smartwool Socks Sizing Chart
| Size | US shoe size | EU shoe size | UK shoe size |
| XS | 6 – 8.5 | 22 – 25 | 5 – 7.5 |
| S | 9 – 11.5 | 26 – 28 | 8 – 10.5 |
| M | 12 – 2.5 | 29 – 32 | 11 – 13.5 |
| L | 3 – 6 | 33 -36 | 1 – 4.5 |
Kids Smartwool Hats Sizing Chart
| Size | Head Circumference (in.) |
| Baby (6 – 12 months) | 17 – 18 |
| Baby (12 – 24 months) | 18 – 19.5 |
| Kids S/M | 20.5 – 21 |
| Kids L/XL | 21.5 – 23 |
Warranties & Return Policy
Smartwool offers a complete, 100% satisfaction guarantee on all their products. They gladly state on their website that you can exchange or return any Smartwool product within two years of purchase.
On top of that, they no longer require you to return the actual product. You’ll have to file a claim online on Smartwool’s website, and if it gets approved, they will issue a digital gift card to their store so you can purchase a different product. Their claims take anywhere from 5-10 business days to be approved or denied. So, sit tight; their warranty is worth it!
Any unworn clothing can be returned in its original packaging for a full refund within 45 days of purchase (it has since been extended to 90 days). Smartwool includes a return label for free shipping on the return, so you don’t have to pay anything extra out of pocket.
All returns will be reimbursed by the same method of payment used to purchase the item.
Final Note on Smartwool
Smartwool has carved a niche for itself as a leader in Merino wool apparel. Their socks and base layers are legendary for comfort, performance, and odor resistance. Whether you’re conquering Everest or the grocery store checkout, Smartwool has you covered (literally). They’ve also expanded their collections to include everything from hats and gloves to sweaters and jackets. So next time you’re seeking adventure-ready clothing that prioritizes comfort and function, look no further than Smartwool. They might become your new favorite brand. They sure are one of ours.
If you want to see how Smartwool compares to other Merino wool clothing, browse our site, follow us on social media, or sign up for our newsletter. We focus on one thing and one thing only: Merino wool gear!
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