Socks for My Son-in-Law

I have a wonderful son-in-law. I would love to knit him some socks, as I have for everyone else in my family. (In 2006 I knit fourteen pairs of socks, as well as various other things. It was The Year of The Sock. Now I can't stop...)

I think he would love for me to knit him some socks, but he has repeatedly told me not to, as he is so hard on socks (and on all of his clothes) that he says they would be ruined in an instant. The issue is general wear and tear, AND extremely sweaty feet.

So I made him a Christmas stocking last year when everyone else was getting hand knit socks, but hey, how many years can I do that?

I would like to hear from knitters how they have resolved this dilemma. Surely other men have sweaty feet? Even women? What would be a good material to use, and are there some knitting tricks that might cause a pair of hand knit socks to last more than a few wearings? they don't have to last forever, but you know... a year or so would be nice.

I am very open to suggestion!