General Sock Chat

[topfiverecords]

As soon as they start putting on puppet shows or Shawshanking the dryer they're out.

[gottabekd]

I'm way too old to only have discovered this last year...

For everyday, casual socks, especially in the winter: Merino wool socks are the answer.

I've always had the impression that wool=itchy, and thought 'wool socks' meant getting warmth at the expense of itchiness. Well, it turns out that isn't the case. Good quality merino wool is not itchy at all and is very soft. Outdoor people have known this for 20 years I guess. As an indoor person who likes warm, dry feet in the winter, I'm glad to have finally learned this.

In the winter, I find some cheap cotton socks aren't enough to keep my feet warm around the house, so I often wear slippers, which increases the sweating, which cools my feet off. Vicious cycle and all that. Merino wool are tightly knit (more insulating) and wick away the moisture, which means sweating is less of a problem, meaning my feet are comfortably warm. Supposedly it is also anti-microbial. This means it isn't entirely taboo to wear the socks a couple of times before washing them...if you're cool with that.

One brand that has a lot of Internet hype is Darn Tough. These things are $20-30 for a pair, though they are guaranteed for life. Wash them inside out and hang dry, and they are never supposed to wear out. If you do manage to wear a hole in them, they will replace them.

Darn Tough socks are at Outdoor stores like MEC, Campers Village, Cabela's, and the new Sporting Life in Southcentre which is supposed to open Oct. 6th.

So pretty much, I dare everyone to shell out $30 for a pair of Darn Tough socks, and I bet they will be your favourite pair in your drawer this winter.

[FlamesAddiction]

I love the feel of 100% cotton socks after you wear them in a bit and they seem to last longer that the synthetic fibers.

[Misterpants]

Originally Posted by 4X4

I took on a new strategy a few years ago. Buy the same socks over and over. As soon as there's even the smallest hole, chuck it. Buy a six pack every couple of months, and never fold, organize, or think twice about your socks. Dump them in a drawer, and grab out two every morning.

Exactly this. You gotta standardize. One style of white sock, one style of black sock. Only exception is once a year/year and a half, do a full change out. Then you don't have uneven wearing of treads.

[CliffFletcher]

Socks are definitely a product where it's best to splurge out a bit of cash up front and get ones that will last a long time. I have a pair of socks I bought from MEC 10 years ago and they're still going strong.

[troutman]

Ed the Sock, podcast:

https://soundcloud.com/ed-the-sock

[-TC-]

I may take some heat for this if so, fire away, I'm a big boy

I never actually wear out a sock, the occasional one may get thin in the toe, but mostly it's a 'bored now' thing. I got onboard the 'crazy sock' fad for a while but it got tired quickly.

I wear navy and charcoal suits so socks are a variation on grey, navy or black depending on whether I'm wearing brown or black shoes.

Casual socks are mostly navy and from Calvin Klein, it's easy and good quality.

Gym socks are for the gym, they come from underarmour or addidas.

[Huntingwhale]

When my sock gets a hole in the heel, I rotate the sock 180 degrees and continue to use it.

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

I need Kevlar socks. Always wear out the heels of these . I am forced to wear 3 pairs at a time because of my profession working in people's homes.....and I have old tired sensitive feet.

I refuse to wear shoes in a house as a courtesy and show of respect for people but some people have heinous floors so....3 pairs at a time it is.

haha, now I feel like I have to go wash my floors!