Gear Review: Hollow Alpaca Boot Socks and Hunt Over The Calf Socks

The two versions of longer socks both performed well. Photos: Rick Mikesell

Winter showed up with a vengeance over the past few weeks. Fishing after work in a hoody shifted to the full winter-layering program, all the way to the feet. Wool has always been the dependable choice for socks and has served well, but it comes with drawbacks. After multiple washes, it gets rough and a bit abrasive, often shrinks, and once you start to sweat it stays damp. Synthetic socks wick well and shed moisture fast, but they are rarely very warm and often feel a little scratchy.

Hollow, a company that has spent time dialing-in an alternative, alpaca fiber socks, sent two models my way. The Boot Socks and the Hunt Over The Calf Socks arrived just in time for winter’s icy grip.

The Alpaca Advantage

Both socks use premium Peruvian baby-alpaca fiber blended with synthetics for strength and elasticity, and both are heavyweight options made in the United States with imported yarn from Peru.

According to Hollow, alpaca fibers have a semi-hollow core that works as natural insulation. This structure traps warm air when it is cold and releases heat when temperatures rise. The idea is a material that adapts to your environment, rather than simply trapping heat until you overcook.

Hollow also claims that alpaca fibers resist bacterial growth and repel moisture and offer a much lower moisture absorption rate than wool to reduce odor, resist blisters, and keep feet dry during long days where you move between cold and warm environments.

The Boot Socks are the thickest option in Hollow’s line and are intended for the coldest conditions. They use a blend of 70% Peruvian baby alpaca fiber. The Hunt Over The Calf socks are engineered for hunters who sit still for hours in the kind of cold that makes you question your life choices. For fishing, this translates directly to long winter wading sessions where your legs and feet live in freezing water for extended periods. These socks are 51% baby alpaca. They have a taller cuff height to stay put while you’re hiking or wearing waders and a snug synthetic panel at the arch intended to improve support.

The socks kept the author’s feet warm and moisture-free while wading in winter.

Is Alpaca Better?

The first thing you notice with both models is softness. I have worn a long list of technical socks over the years and none have felt this soft. They are crazy soft. That softness did not degrade after several washes, either. They remain comfortable with no noticeable changes in texture.

Warmth is always harder to measure by feel alone. One weekend, I fished all day when the high temperature was a balmy 18 degrees. I thought a lot about how cold my hands were. (I have a complicated relationship with gloves.) I thought about my nose and the small gap at my neck where cold air sneaks in between my hood and beanie, but I never once thought about my feet.

There are a few online reviews that mention slipping or sagging. I have had none of those issues. The Hunt Over The Calf socks stay put high on the calf. The Boot Socks, which are a bit shorter, also stay in place, even in tall muck boots.

The socks change with conditions, remaining comfortable throughout.

The Hunt model has a synthetic arch panel that pulls the sock in tightly. It will likely appeal to anglers who want extra support or a more sculpted fit. I do not need that feature and did not miss it on the Boot Sock. Both socks fit well, with no bunching or hot spots.

Heat, Sweat and Long Days on Foot

These socks are significantly better at moisture management than wool. Wool has always been warm, but when you peel it off at the end of the day it usually feels swampy. I sat down to write this today, just home from a marathon of house chores, Christmas shopping, and an event at a local fly shop. It was a mix of indoor heat and cold sidewalks with plenty of walking. When I pulled off my boots, my feet were dry and comfortable, even after riding home with the heater blasting on my wife’s side of the car.

Hollow notes that alpaca is naturally antimicrobial. Based on my experience so far, there has been no foot funk after long days of wear.

Looks a bit like a Hare’s Ear Nymph, no?

Where Things Get a Bit Fuzzy

Alpaca fiber has a habit of growing a few stray hairs, almost like guard hairs that splay outward. Both pairs showed this right out of the package, and it increased a bit after washing. Up to this point I had not followed the care instructions and washed them warm and tossed them in the dryer. None of that changed the fit or caused any damage. Hollow’s testing suggests the dryer will not cause premature wear.

The stray hairs do not affect comfort or performance at all. They just look a little wild. You might feel slightly self conscious if you end up at a friend’s house for dinner and they ask you to take your shoes off, but that is the only real drawback.

For cold water and cold weather, these Hollow socks are a great choice.

Warm Feet for Winter

At $49.99 per pair, neither model is inexpensive in the world of socks, but they are remarkably comfortable, reliably warm, manage moisture far better than wool, and stay fresh after long days. They are made in the United States, they handle cold water environments well, and they reduce one more distraction during winter fishing.

I plan on picking up a few more pairs to help carry me through the long cold stretch ahead with one less thing to worry about.

Check Out Hollow’s Full Line of Alpaca Socks Here