Smartwool’s story began on a rugged ski slope in Colorado with the objective of allowing skiers to ski longer by keeping their toes warm. To that end, Smartwool, established in 1994, introduced the first Merino wool ski socks, notable not just for their warmth, but for their durability and comfort. Merino wool is a performance fabric: soft; moisture-wicking (in other words, it moves moisture away from your skin and dries quickly); odor-neutralizing; thermoregulating (warm when it’s cold and vice versa); and sustainable. So, what began as an effort to keep skiers’ toes warm turned into a passion for creating performance outdoor socks capable of keeping feet not just warmer, but dryer, and far more comfortable than synthetic socks popular at the time. Merino wool has so many traits desirable for outdoor performance that Smartwool ended up using it in just about every single product they make, even when they expanded their line well beyond socks. We’re pleased to offer a wide range of Smartwool products at Outdoor Equipped.