BUFF LW Merino & CoolNet™ Socks

Review by Will Trail

Initial Impressions

Good socks are one of those pieces of gear that rarely get much attention until they become uncomfortable. Fortunately, none of the two BUFF socks I tested ever gave me a reason to think about them. Over several months, I wore the LW Merino Wool Quarter, and CoolNet™ Crew across running, mountain biking, hiking, office wear, and everyday activities. Rather than creating one sock that tries to do everything, BUFF has developed several performance focused fabric platforms that are available in multiple sock heights. Throughout my testing, all socks delivered excellent breathability, dependable comfort, and quality construction, while each platform brought its own strengths depending on the activity and conditions. Here’s a closer look at each one I tested.

BUFF LW Merino Socks

Specs

Common Features

• Size Tested: Men’s Large
• Cushioning: Light
• Anatomical left/right construction with supportive arch compression

LW Merino Wool (Quarter Height Tested)

• Construction: Merino wool blend for natural temperature regulation and odor resistance
• Best For: Running, hiking, everyday wear

CoolNet™ (Crew Height Tested)

• Construction: Breathable, quick drying performance knit
• Technologies: Smart Mint cooling, HeiQ® odor control
• Best For: Mountain biking, hiking, warm weather activities

Design, Comfort & Fit

Although each sock targets a different activity or wearer preference, BUFF follows a consistent design philosophy across the lineup. All models feature left/right specific construction, flat toe seams, breathable knit zones, and supportive arch compression that provides a secure fit without feeling overly tight. The compression struck a nice balance, offering support throughout the day while remaining comfortable for extended wear.

The CoolNet™ has a synthetic performance fabric blend designed to maximize breathability, moisture management, and quick drying. The fabric incorporates Smart Mint cooling technology and HeiQ® odor control to help keep feet feeling fresh during longer activities. The LW Merino Wool quarter takes a different approach by combining Merino wool with recycled synthetic fibers to naturally regulate temperature, manage moisture, and resist odor while maintaining a soft feel.

What stood out most during testing was the overall comfort. Regardless of the construction differences, all socks breathed exceptionally well, dried quickly after use, and remained comfortable across a wide range of conditions. The Merino model never felt overly warm or itchy, while the synthetic model excelled during higher output activities where airflow and moisture management were especially noticeable.

Cushioning across the lineup is on the lighter side. Although I often choose running socks with additional padding, I never found myself wishing these offered more cushioning. They provided enough protection while maintaining a lightweight, responsive feel.

BUFF also puts thought into the visual design of its socks. The knit patterns and color combinations give each model a modern technical appearance without being overly flashy. I appreciated that all socks looked just as appropriate with athletic shoes as they did with casual footwear.

Since BUFF offers each fabric blend in multiple heights, the biggest differences come from the fabric technologies rather than the sock length itself. For this review, I tested the LW Merino in quarter height and the CoolNet™ in crew height.  Personally, I preferred the crew height for mountain biking and hiking, but because each fabric platform is available in multiple heights, you can choose the combination that best matches your preferences and intended use.

BUFF CoolNet™ Socks

Performance

Over several months of testing, I primarily used the LW Merino Wool quarter for running and hiking, and the CoolNet™ crew for mountain biking and hiking. Across all models, breathability was consistently impressive. Whether temperatures were in the 60s or climbed into the 90s, my feet remained comfortable without overheating.

For running and hiking, the LW Merino Wool quarter delivered the lightweight performance I look for in a good sock while adding the natural comfort of Merino wool. It breathed well, dried quickly, and developed very little odor over repeated use. Even during warmer temperatures, it never felt too warm or itchy, and it remained securely in place without bunching or slipping while doing a good job managing moisture.

Of the two, the CoolNet™ crew became my favorite. Although I couldn’t specifically identify any cooling effect from the Smart Mint treatment by itself, the socks breathed exceptionally well and my feet never felt overheated. Combined with my preference for crew height socks while mountain biking and hiking, it consistently became the pair I reached for first.

Across all models, the flat toe seams completely disappeared once I started moving. I never experienced blisters, pressure points, or irritation, even during longer outings, and the supportive arch compression remained comfortable throughout the day.

Durability & Maintenance

After several months of regular use and washing, all socks continue to hold up well. I experienced only minimal pilling, with no loose threads, holes, or noticeable shrinkage. The socks retained both their shape and supportive compression after repeated wash cycles and air drying.

Closing Thoughts

BUFF has built a well-rounded sock lineup by developing different fabric technologies that can be paired with the sock height that best fits your activities and preferences. Throughout my testing, all socks delivered dependable comfort, excellent breathability, quality construction, and consistent performance.

If I had to choose one, I’d lean toward the CoolNet™, although it was a close call. My preference for crew height socks while mountain biking and hiking ultimately made the CoolNet™ crew the pair I reached for most often.  That said, my ranking says more about my preferred activities and sock height than the performance of the other model. The LW Merino Wool quarter offers a versatile balance of natural comfort and technical performance.

No matter which fabric technology or sock height you choose, BUFF has created a lineup of socks that quietly do their job and let you focus on the adventure ahead.

Will Trail

Will grew up in Idaho (fifth generation!) where he enjoyed the outdoors, riding his bike, participated in multiple sports, and working on the family ranch from time to time.

During college at Montana Tech, he played football for a few years and worked as a wildland firefighter during the summers.  He met his future wife, Erin Trail, there and after graduating with a degree in Geophysical Engineering, they moved to Texas where he was involved with racing his Subaru WRX, camping and powerlifting.