When you live in the North, your Vibram toe shoes get put away for the winter. These are the first toe socks that are actually low-friction enough and thin enough to slide right in to keep your feet and ankles warm. Because they are Merino wool, even if your shoes get a little wet, it doesn't matter. Your feet stay warm and dry because of the wool. I have 5 pairs of these wonderful socks now in the crew length. My back and hips are so happy to have my feet back in my 5 Finger shoes. PS, they make great liner socks when you have to resort to boots.