We introduced POINT6 in our recent staff recommendations and Buy 1 Get 1 campaign. It has now been almost a year since I started wearing these socks. What I’ve come to love about them, beyond their durability, is that the comfort really lasts. So, I’d like to dig a little deeper into why POINT6 is so good, given their meticulous dedication to everything from their raw materials to their spinning process.
The main material for POINT6 is, of course, wool from sheep. While there are said to be about 3,000 different breeds of sheep worldwide, the breed most commonly used for outdoor sports is the Merino. Even among Merino sheep, quality is heavily influenced by the specific breed, region, growing environment, and supplier (the farms and sources). The Merino wool used by POINT6 comes from New Zealand, widely recognized for its high quality. It is characterized by its cleanliness, fineness, and durability, made possible by the ideal environment and grazing methods used in New Zealand. Just like meat, the quality of the wool is created by the environment. In New Zealand, sheep are grazed in mountainous regions during the summer and in lowlands during the winter to prevent their wool from growing too thick and to avoid overfeeding. Furthermore, the fact that these sheep grow in the mountain ranges of New Zealand, which experience distinct summer and winter seasons, is proof that the wool can withstand harsh environments.
The commitment of POINT6 doesn't stop at just the raw materials. Like other manufacturers, they use fine Merino wool with a high thread count, but their approach here is also incredibly thorough. The outdoor industry is often caught up in a race for the highest "fineness" rating, but in many cases, there is significant variation in the thickness of those fibers. POINT6 eliminates the factors that lower quality by using fibers of a consistent thickness, avoiding yarns that are too thin (which are weak and prone to breaking) or too thick (which feel uncomfortable against the skin). By adopting a compact spinning process—where the ends of the fibers are tucked into the center of the yarn so they don't stick out—the yarn becomes more resistant to twisting and gains inherent strength, resulting in the benefits of fibers that are less likely to pull out or tear. Furthermore, using compact-spun yarn helps maintain cushioning for longer. Because the fibers spend less time in a compressed state, it creates an environment where functions like antimicrobial and odor-resistant properties can perform at their best. (And this is only a fraction of their commitment—come by the shop for more details!)
It’s safe to say that POINT6 are socks that draw out the full potential of wool’s functional properties!
Even so, it's a fact that you won't know how good they are until you try them. Please take advantage of the currently ongoing campaign to give them a try!