Bridgedale

Bridgedale’s story begins in the 1910s in a small hosiery mill in Newtownards, Northern Ireland, where a family-run business started knitting socks that would soon supply the military during the First World War and grow into a larger operation. Over the 1930s and post‑war years, the mill steadily expanded its machinery and production capacity, building the technical foundations that would later underpin Bridgedale’s performance-focused outdoor socks.

In the early 1980s, the Bridgedale outdoor sock brand officially launched, introducing a range of just 12 products (three colours, two sizes, and two lengths) made for walkers and hikers. From that modest start, the collection has expanded dramatically through the 1990s and 2000s, supported by investment in modern knitting and finishing technology and additional manufacturing capacity in South Africa, growing into a global lineup of more than 500 models sold in over 40 countries.

Today, Bridgedale Outdoor Ltd still designs and finishes its socks in Newtownards under the shadow of Scrabo Tower, blending deep local manufacturing heritage with advanced machinery and worldwide distribution. That unbroken line from WW1 army socks to modern technical designs gives Bridgedale a genuine “made by sock specialists” identity that resonates with walkers, trekkers, and mountaineers who want kit they can depend on, season after season.

Bridgedale sets out three guiding principles for every sock it makes: Fit, FusionTech, and Guarantee, placing clear focus on an anatomically secure fit, advanced yarn technology, and long-term performance backed by total confidence in quality. This approach runs from the first design sketch through to the final product, with every sock tuned to stay in place on the foot, manage moisture effectively, and stand up to years of regular use on the trail. Each pair moves through several stages of inspection during production, including a final check by hand at the packing stage, so any small imperfection is picked up before it ever reaches a customer, helping maintain the brand’s high expectations for comfort and long life.

On the sustainability side, Bridgedale places real importance on responsible material choices, using superfine merino wool for its soft feel and performance, alongside recycled and eco‑certified fibres that help reduce resource use and waste. Packaging is kept to a minimum where possible, and production processes are managed carefully to limit water and energy use, reflecting a wider commitment to reducing environmental impact. The brand also takes animal welfare seriously, sourcing wool only from suppliers who follow IWTO guidelines and guarantee non‑mulesed sheep, so outdoor enthusiasts can pull on their socks knowing the fibres have been sourced to high ethical standards.

• 1910s–1940s: Newtownards mill produces socks, including army socks during WW1, establishing hosiery expertise and local employment.​

• 1980s: Launch of the first Bridgedale outdoor-specific socks, starting with a compact 12‑product range focused on walking and hiking.​

• 1990s–2000s: Expansion into trekking, mountaineering, ski, and everyday lines; adoption of advanced knitting and finishing machinery for better fit and durability.​

• 2010s: Introduction of FusionTech yarn blends (e.g. Merino Performance, Merino Comfort, Merino Cool) and sophisticated cushioning systems like T2 Anti‑Shock.​

• Today: Over 500 products, distributed globally, with a focus on recycled and responsibly sourced fibres and performance-led fit options such as Performance Fit and Comfort Fit.​

Bridgedale offers a focused line-up of performance socks built around three key decisions: what you are doing (walking, running, or skiing), how much padding you want (thin, medium, or thick), and how high the sock comes up your leg (from low and ankle to crew, calf-high, and knee-high). Walking and hiking socks tend to sit in the medium-to-thick bracket with crew or calf‑high lengths for use with boots, running and multi-sport styles are thinner and lower for trainers and trail shoes, and ski socks are thicker, knee‑high options that work with rigid ski boots.

Midweight Merino Comfort socks are walking-focused all‑rounders, ideal for hillwalking, trekking, and cooler three‑season conditions. They sit firmly in the medium thickness band with a cushioned underfoot and supportive knit that suits hiking boots and approach shoes. In terms of length, these usually come in crew or calf‑high / boot height, giving coverage above the ankle and up the lower leg to prevent rubbing from boot cuffs and laces.

Bridgedale’s Merino Sport socks sit at the fast-and-light end of the range, aimed at trail running, fast hiking, and higher-tempo training where breathability and low bulk really matter. They use a Merino Sport yarn blend that pairs fine merino wool with synthetic fibres to give a softer feel, odour control, and quick drying, so your feet stay fresher over back-to-back runs and longer efforts.

Within this collection, you will mostly see Ultra Light T2 and Lightweight T2 options, which use targeted “loop within a loop” cushioning under key impact zones to add protection without loading the sock with extra bulk. You can choose between low cuts that sit just above the shoe collar for maximum airflow, and 3/4 crew or crew heights that climb a little higher up the ankle and lower shin for extra protection from grit, stones, and overgrown trails.

Merino Endurance Socks are Bridgedale’s long-distance specialists, using merino wool for a soft feel against the skin and natural odour control, backed up by durable fibres that cope well with repeated days in hiking boots. The range runs from ultra-lightweight and lightweight options, which keep bulk low for warmer weather, faster-paced hikes, and lower-volume footwear, through to midweight and heavyweight versions that add more cushioning and insulation for cooler conditions, tougher terrain, and longer treks with a pack. This means you can pick the same trusted Merino Endurance feel in the thickness that best matches your usual terrain, climate, and boot choice.

Merino Comfort Socks sit on the more cushioned, easy-going side of Bridgedale’s range, ideal for long walks, everyday outdoor use, and travel where you want your feet to feel looked after all day. They use a high proportion of merino wool for a soft next-to-skin feel and reliable temperature and odour control, then blend in tougher synthetic fibres to help the socks keep their shape and handle regular wear in walking shoes and boots.

Compared with the punchier, more technical feel of Merino Endurance, Merino Comfort is all about a slightly plusher underfoot sensation and a smooth, secure fit that works just as well on a weekend hike as it does for all-day wear on your feet. You will usually find these socks in midweight and heavier options, paired with crew, boot, or calf-high lengths that line up neatly with classic hiking footwear and give your lower legs a bit of extra protection from laces, cuffs, and trail debris.

Merino Banded Trail Socks are aimed at hiking and trail use, mixing merino with synthetic fibres for a soft feel, odour control, and quick drying on mixed terrain. They are lightweight / light cushioned rather than offered in a full spread of thin, midweight, and heavyweight options, which keeps the sock low‑bulk inside modern hiking and approach shoes. In terms of height, this collection typically sits at a crew / calf‑high length, giving coverage over the ankle and lower shin without running all the way to the knee.

Special Edition Merino Hiker socks are classic walking socks built for long days on paths, ridges, and mixed terrain. They are typically medium to thick in build, using merino blends and full or targeted cushioning to support feet under the weight of a pack and through long mileage. Their crew / calf-high length makes them a natural partner for walking boots, protecting the ankle and lower calf while helping to keep dust, grit, and debris out of your footwear.

StormSock Boot Socks sit at the heart of Bridgedale’s waterproof range, created for wet, muddy, and boggy days when dry feet are the difference between a great outing and cutting things short. They use a waterproof, breathable membrane wrapped between a tough outer and a softer inner, so your feet stay protected from standing water and persistent rain while still being able to release heat and moisture from the inside.

Within the StormSock Boot socks family, you will usually find clear thickness choices such as lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight rather than one style that tries to cover every level of cushioning. Midweight options strike a balance for year‑round hiking, lighter versions are better for milder conditions and higher tempo movement, and heavier, more padded socks come into their own in winter and on rougher ground. The “boot” label refers to their calf‑high, boot‑length cut, which is designed to work best with hiking boots by rising high enough to shield against splashes and puddles without extending all the way up the leg like the taller knee‑high StormSock variants.

Bridgedale’s ski collections focus on resort and backcountry skiing and snowboarding. They are generally thick socks with zoned cushioning and warmth for long days inside stiff ski boots. Ski socks come in knee-high length so they reach the top of the boot, protecting the shin from tongue pressure, improving comfort around the cuff, and helping keep the entire lower leg warm on chairlifts and exposed slopes.

Bridgedale’s socks are built around a suite of technical innovations that work together to improve fit, feel, and performance with every step. 

Bridgedale doesn’t just test in the lab – the brand leans heavily on a community of athletes and ambassadors who put its socks through real mountain days, races, and long-distance challenges. Trail runners, mountaineers, and endurance athletes all feed back on fit, cushioning, temperature control, and durability, helping fine-tune the details that matter when you are hours from the car.

Among those ambassadors is trail runner Dan Connolly, who relies on Bridgedale for long outings on technical ground where secure fit and reliable grip inside the shoe make a real difference. Mountaineer Sarah Ann Curran has worn Bridgedale socks on challenges such as the Lakeland 7 Summits, using her efforts to raise money for Alzheimer’s research while testing socks on steep, rugged Lake District terrain.

Adventure racer Nathan Fa’avae has helped prove the value of Bridgedale’s waterproof StormSock range in relentlessly wet, demanding environments where cold, soaked feet can end a race early. The brand also showcases athletes like mountain runner Zak Hanna and other ambassadors across its blog and social channels, using their real-world experience to refine everything from yarn blends to padding zones so everyday walkers and weekend warriors benefit from the same level of insight.