I want a long-lasting stock of socks without paying a Fort Knox per box!
July 1, 2015 7:25 AM Subscribe
I've traditionally bought packs of the cheapest tube socks available. Walking a lot over the last several years has worn them out very quickly. So, I think I want better socks, but I do not want super high-quality artisanal tactical sox or what have you. I do not want to improve the quality of my life via sock purchasing. I just want to bump up to a level at which miles of use per dollar are maximized. If that means buying five $50 pairs of socks that will last 60 years, I'll do it. But I'm guessing the optimal point is somewhere cheaper.
I'm on my first year using Darn Tough Socks (made in Vermont) and so far they're showing no signs of wear and tear. They also have a lifetime warranty so if they do wear through I could (theoretically) get them replaced.
They're about $20.00 per pair, maybe a bit less if you can find them on sale, but if you bought five pairs that's a $100.00 investment for socks that will (theoretically) last a lifetime.
I used to buy Smartwool but they wore out too fast.
posted by bondcliff at 7:32 AM on July 1, 2015 [8 favorites]
They're about $20.00 per pair, maybe a bit less if you can find them on sale, but if you bought five pairs that's a $100.00 investment for socks that will (theoretically) last a lifetime.
I used to buy Smartwool but they wore out too fast.
posted by bondcliff at 7:32 AM on July 1, 2015 [8 favorites]
The dozen pairs of black socks I bought at H&M five years ago for only slightly higher than bag-of-cheap-white-tube-socks price are only now starting to go, which is surprising because literally nothing I have from H&M ever lasted that long. So if five years is a good amount of time for socks to last for you, I'd recommend those.
posted by griphus at 7:41 AM on July 1, 2015
posted by griphus at 7:41 AM on July 1, 2015
I buy Dickies men's crew socks through Amazon and they're thick, comfortable, inexpensive, and the first pack I bought a few years ago is still going strong. I average walking about 3-4 miles a day.
Dickies on Amazon.
posted by Wilbefort at 7:45 AM on July 1, 2015
Dickies on Amazon.
posted by Wilbefort at 7:45 AM on July 1, 2015
I'm a convert of Darn Tough socks too. They're expensive, for sure, but I'm on year two of them, and they show no signs of wear, really. I'm pretty hard on socks in general. The fact that I no longer have to purchase socks is pretty great.
The friend who told me about them has used their lifetime warranty, and can attest to its ease. I don't have any firsthand experience with the warranty process though. If you're looking for a 'buy it for life' type solution, this would be your best bet, unless they go out of business somewhere down the line (which could always happen…).
posted by furnace.heart at 7:48 AM on July 1, 2015
The friend who told me about them has used their lifetime warranty, and can attest to its ease. I don't have any firsthand experience with the warranty process though. If you're looking for a 'buy it for life' type solution, this would be your best bet, unless they go out of business somewhere down the line (which could always happen…).
posted by furnace.heart at 7:48 AM on July 1, 2015
Thirding Darn Tough Socks. I've had issues with the Smartwool socks that are more cushioned, but the thin ones that aren't cushioned (like these PhD light ones -- the thin ones are all called PhD light or PhD ultralight) have also lasted well for me. I wear the Darn Tough socks in the winter, and the Smartwool PhD light/ultralight ones in the summer.
posted by OrangeDisk at 7:54 AM on July 1, 2015
posted by OrangeDisk at 7:54 AM on July 1, 2015
Thorlos may end up being more expensive than you want to go with. But! They will give you a free pair, so you might as well get a free pair of really good socks, and then you can decide for yourself whether it's worth plunking down cash for more. I'm a convert, myself, and much happier to have a small stash of them than I was to have a large quantity of cheap Target socks that wore through every ten minutes.
posted by Stacey at 7:55 AM on July 1, 2015
posted by Stacey at 7:55 AM on July 1, 2015
I asked this question almost two years ago. I suppose now is a good time to update with a Sock Status Report.
We purchased:
-smartwool dress socks
-darn tough dress crew light socks
-gold toe trouser socks (not sure of exact kind)
No other socks entered the rotation; one of these kinds of socks was worn daily. Worn to work; walking about the city; longer hikes. Worn in all types of weather and with a variety of shoe styles. All socks were sent out to wash and fold every ~10 days or so. They've occasionally been nibbled on by a small terrier between removal from foot and placement in laundry bin.
The Smartwools started wearing out at around the 1 year mark - all now have holes in the heel. The Gold Toe are a mixed bag - half still look fine/new and half developed heel/toe holes within about 6 months. The Darn Tough socks are all still reporting for duty same as the day they were purchased.
Final evaluation: Darn Tough is worth the darn price.
posted by melissasaurus at 8:05 AM on July 1, 2015 [15 favorites]
We purchased:
-smartwool dress socks
-darn tough dress crew light socks
-gold toe trouser socks (not sure of exact kind)
No other socks entered the rotation; one of these kinds of socks was worn daily. Worn to work; walking about the city; longer hikes. Worn in all types of weather and with a variety of shoe styles. All socks were sent out to wash and fold every ~10 days or so. They've occasionally been nibbled on by a small terrier between removal from foot and placement in laundry bin.
The Smartwools started wearing out at around the 1 year mark - all now have holes in the heel. The Gold Toe are a mixed bag - half still look fine/new and half developed heel/toe holes within about 6 months. The Darn Tough socks are all still reporting for duty same as the day they were purchased.
Final evaluation: Darn Tough is worth the darn price.
posted by melissasaurus at 8:05 AM on July 1, 2015 [15 favorites]
I have a Darn Tough addiction. If you can find a local gear store--climbing, hiking, camping, etc--they will always have them go on sale a few times a year as well as returns, damaged packaging, etc. I'll buy almost any i find in my size.
posted by th3ph17 at 8:43 AM on July 1, 2015
posted by th3ph17 at 8:43 AM on July 1, 2015
Darn Tough. And come to Vermont in November for their annual sock sale and get them cheaper than you could get them anywhere. Sale is usually around Thanksgiving and corresponds with first days of deer hunting season.
posted by terrapin at 8:49 AM on July 1, 2015
posted by terrapin at 8:49 AM on July 1, 2015
I have bought my first SmartWool and Darn Tough socks in the past year, and the Darn Tough ones are lasting better. The SmartWool merino wool pairs are really good, but maybe shrinking a tiny bit.
(That said: this is crummy timing because Socks Addict had a 20% sale on SmartWool yesterday.)
posted by wenestvedt at 9:16 AM on July 1, 2015
(That said: this is crummy timing because Socks Addict had a 20% sale on SmartWool yesterday.)
posted by wenestvedt at 9:16 AM on July 1, 2015
Snap-On Tools sells a made-in-USA sock for mechanics that is comfortable and durable. If you don't have access to a Snap-On Tools truck route, you can find the socks on eBay. Price point around $6-12/pair.
posted by Ardea alba at 9:25 AM on July 1, 2015
posted by Ardea alba at 9:25 AM on July 1, 2015
Another vote for Dickies work crew socks. I switched a few months back to black socks, and the cheaper socks ("Level 6", "Nike") I got in discount stores (TJ maxx, Ross, etc.) all shrunk like ****. They wear fine, but looks like **** as they've shrunk to kiddie sock size, almost. I ordered a bag of Dickie's Crew Socks / black through Amazon and after a couple washes they are still the same shape, and they are quite comfy. And they aren't expensive. And the black ones can almost pass for dress socks. ;)
posted by kschang at 9:43 AM on July 1, 2015
posted by kschang at 9:43 AM on July 1, 2015
There are some things I buy at L.L. Bean because their return policy and guarantee justify the price. So, maybe check on buying socks from them. If you're on their email list, they have occasional 10% off everything offers.
posted by theora55 at 9:47 AM on July 1, 2015
posted by theora55 at 9:47 AM on July 1, 2015
SmartWool hiking and ski socks are great and have lasted many years. A++ would buy again. SmartWool casual/dress socks are less good although they're still fine after ~18 months.
I have plain old Hanes cotton tube socks and the SmartWools of the same thickness keep me much, much cooler and drier. Sierra Trading Post often has SmartWool socks at closeout prices. My local Army surplus store sells them too for some reason.
posted by desjardins at 11:11 AM on July 1, 2015
I have plain old Hanes cotton tube socks and the SmartWools of the same thickness keep me much, much cooler and drier. Sierra Trading Post often has SmartWool socks at closeout prices. My local Army surplus store sells them too for some reason.
posted by desjardins at 11:11 AM on July 1, 2015
Dickies' socks are good in terms of holding up to abuse, but they fade pretty quickly (~6 months). For me, that's a deal-breaker for socks: I like a black "utility" sock I can wear with work boots or dress shoes or running shoes (wow much dad so sock), whatever.
Gold-Toe socks are better about not fading--a nice, solid black--but they don't hold up as well for me. I frequently get a hole on the spot where my Achilles touches the back of my dress shoes or the upper/calf-area elastic gets a little too iffy. And that's within six months.
I'm going to try some of these other options for my next sock drawer purge. (I buy a whole new bunch and get rid of the others.)
posted by resurrexit at 11:27 AM on July 1, 2015
Gold-Toe socks are better about not fading--a nice, solid black--but they don't hold up as well for me. I frequently get a hole on the spot where my Achilles touches the back of my dress shoes or the upper/calf-area elastic gets a little too iffy. And that's within six months.
I'm going to try some of these other options for my next sock drawer purge. (I buy a whole new bunch and get rid of the others.)
posted by resurrexit at 11:27 AM on July 1, 2015
And the black ones [Dickies] can almost pass for dress socks. ;)
They really did for me, just not for long. But they are great in terms of durability and cost. I recommend them highly if keeping a crisp black for more than a few months isn't a priority for you.
posted by resurrexit at 11:29 AM on July 1, 2015
They really did for me, just not for long. But they are great in terms of durability and cost. I recommend them highly if keeping a crisp black for more than a few months isn't a priority for you.
posted by resurrexit at 11:29 AM on July 1, 2015
There's a MassDrop bazaar event now on the Darn Tough socks... TWO pairs for $25.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/darn-tough-work-socks
posted by kschang at 1:03 PM on July 2, 2015
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/darn-tough-work-socks
posted by kschang at 1:03 PM on July 2, 2015
Another Darn Tough recommendation over Smartwool. And Socks Addict just started a 25% off sale on Darn Tough socks until July 14th.
posted by bCat at 3:02 PM on July 2, 2015
posted by bCat at 3:02 PM on July 2, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks everyone! I greatly appreciate the experiential information. I ordered a pair of Darn Tough socks and a 6-pack of Dickies and will report on them in the future!
posted by ignignokt at 6:26 PM on July 11, 2015
posted by ignignokt at 6:26 PM on July 11, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mbarryf at 7:27 AM on July 1, 2015 [5 favorites]