Help with socks!

[Don Pablo]

I hate having to buy socks frequently.
I have some thick pairs that I bought in the shop some months ago, and otherwise for annoying holes in the heel, they still look new. heel holes are especially annoying in winter.

What socks should I buy, that are responsibly produced, and will last a long time before they develop holes?

[Dutch_Tooler]

None any more, I fear.

There is a sock cartel that prevents sock makers from creating indestructible socks in order to ensure their continuity.

[magentus]

I hate having to buy socks frequently.
I have some thick pairs that I bought in the shop some months ago, and otherwise for annoying holes in the heel, they still look new. heel holes are especially annoying in winter.

What socks should I buy, that are responsibly produced, and will last a long time before they develop holes?

I have some army surplus socks that I bought about 8 years ago (7 pairs) - worn nothing but them since, very comfortable and warm and there is one pair just going through at the heel now. I walk a lot and they have been great for all this time.

Black wool mix I think.

[Don Pablo]

None any more, I fear.

There is a sock cartel that prevents sock makers from creating indestructible socks in order to ensure their continuity.

So that’s why we have no Kevlar socks?

[Don Pablo]

I hate having to buy socks frequently.
I have some thick pairs that I bought in the shop some months ago, and otherwise for annoying holes in the heel, they still look new. heel holes are especially annoying in winter.

What socks should I buy, that are responsibly produced, and will last a long time before they develop holes?

I have some army surplus socks that I bought about 8 years ago (7 pairs) - worn nothing but them since, very comfortable and warm and there is one pair just going through at the heel now. I walk a lot and they have been great for all this time.

Black wool mix I think.

Thanks mags! 
So you’ve worn each one for an average of one year or so? 
I’ll have to look into something similar. 

[magentus]

I hate having to buy socks frequently.
I have some thick pairs that I bought in the shop some months ago, and otherwise for annoying holes in the heel, they still look new. heel holes are especially annoying in winter.

What socks should I buy, that are responsibly produced, and will last a long time before they develop holes?

I have some army surplus socks that I bought about 8 years ago (7 pairs) - worn nothing but them since, very comfortable and warm and there is one pair just going through at the heel now. I walk a lot and they have been great for all this time.

Black wool mix I think.

Thanks mags! 
So you’ve worn each one for an average of one year or so? 
I’ll have to look into something similar. 

Yep, and I wash them every month whether they need it or not.

[G-Dizzle]

Columbia and some carhartt socks work nicely for me. Not sure about responsibly produced or not, I don’t necessarily look for that kind of thing when buying socks.

[AlephZero]

I hate having to buy socks frequently.
I have some thick pairs that I bought in the shop some months ago, and otherwise for annoying holes in the heel, they still look new. heel holes are especially annoying in winter.

What socks should I buy, that are responsibly produced, and will last a long time before they develop holes?

I buy only Tesema merino wool sport socks, best socks ever sold!

And they tick every box you just requested...

Not sure about the avalability over there, but you can always get the Varusteleka versions from them... 

[Etherealicer]

None any more, I fear.

There is a sock cartel that prevents sock makers from creating indestructible socks in order to ensure their continuity.

So that’s why we have no Kevlar socks?

We do have Kevlar socks... Though don't ask me why there is the Swiss flag on them... maybe to justify the price
FYF Barefoot Socks

[SteveC]

Fall and winter I wear Merino wool socks that I get at Costco, they are warm and comfortable and hold up pretty well. All socks wear through the heel, one thing that speeds up that process is if you have really hard rough skin on your heels.

I keep wearing them even with a hole until they get too big. I've never had my heels get cold even in subzero weather.

[Marc_in_NS]

Pabs, Pabs, Pabs,

So you need help with socks hey?

Ensure you get a left and a right sock, otherwise you’ll develop early holes in the heel!!!


 

[Smashie]

These are pretty good

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mens-Hard-Wearing-Work-Socks/dp/B00OHXHDEW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1537829184&sr=8-5&keywords=work+socks

[Vidar]

What socks should I buy, that are responsibly produced, and will last a long time before they develop holes?

Winter socks = something wool.

As for the rest I only have one advice and that is that whatever you do just get 10 pairs or so of identical socks. That way if you wear a hole in one, loose one, whatever, you'll still have pairs - and a lot easier to sort if more match with more.

I have been thinking way too much about socks

[magentus]

What socks should I buy, that are responsibly produced, and will last a long time before they develop holes?

Winter socks = something wool.

As for the rest I only have one advice and that is that whatever you do just get 10 pairs or so of identical socks. That way if you wear a hole in one, loose one, whatever, you'll still have pairs - and a lot easier to sort if more match with more.

I have been thinking way too much about socks

That's great advice Vidar 

[Don Pablo]

You all have given me a lot to think about, sock-wise. 

We do have Kevlar socks... Though don't ask me why there is the Swiss flag on them... maybe to justify the price
FYF Barefoot Socks

My dream!!!
I have wanted to take up the barefoot hobbit lifestyle.... But everyone tells me: Pablo, don't be ridiculous! That is anti-social and you'll step of a piece of broken glass and die of tetanus!
Now..... NOW.... With these kevlar socks, I can go shoe-less without anymore talk back!

[gerleatherberman]

My observations with socks have led me to a prime culprit in lessening sock-longevity. The way shoes fit your feet is a huge component in the logevity of socks. Heel holes present quickly if the back of the shoe moves up and down on the heel. Check to make sure your shoes are snug, but not too tight. I buy the really cheap 'defect' socks(the brand name ones with slight imperfections) and they last for about six months a pair. But, to note my personal usage, I wear sneakers(tennis shoes) most of the time and boot when hiking or what-not. I make sure the back of the shoe moves in unison with my heel and there is no rubbing.
Everyone's feet are shaped a little differently and some people's heels are just not going to sit firmly in the back of the shoes. If that is the case, perhaps gluing a smooth piece of plastic in the shoe, where the major wear appears on the socks. Just make sure there are  no sharp edges.

[Aloha]

 

Might be time for a pedicure  .  Rough heels and worn insoles also play a part in the wear.  I used to wear ankle socks but over time switched to longer ones.  The ones I am now wearing are more then a year old.  Never a hole only the elastic on the upper part gets worn/loose.  I cannot recall the brand sorry.  Thin material is something I cannot wear.  Like SteveC I like merino socks in colder weather and for hiking/camping.

[AlephZero]

I'd guess kevlar socks would chafe like nobody's business...

[ThundahBeagle]

Here's all i wear for socks and the only holes are from when my Beagle Scout was a puppy and got at them:

-CABOT and Sons brand out of Vermont and WOOLRICH brand. Different wool or wool blend for summer or winter. Various colors and stripes. Very very good socks! I wear them for summer hikes and the winter blend/thickness when I'm out shoveling snow.

-TIMBERLAND. They make a line of socks in various shades of grey, brown and beige that have a thicker heel and toe panel, with Timberland written in yellow, orange, or red across the top of the toes. Great socks and they come in varieties that sit just below the ankle, three finger widths above the ankle, and mid calf. I find them at Marshalls. I have so many of these and these are usually what I wear, whether I'm at work or hiking with Scout up and down mountain trails. I only can't wear them with dress shoes (3xcept in winter) imagine a thick pair of dress socks with heel and toe panels slightly thicker). But I wear them with sneakers, Dickies work boots, Timberland work boots, Doc Martins, any hiking boots, my old H H quare toe harness boots, These socks are the best. Nothing beats them. Nothing. And like I said, the holes that I did have were Beagle in origin.

-COLUMBIA makes a sock a little thicker than the Timberland I just mentioned. They often come I think 4 pair in a blue box and mine are thick stripe pattern. Black and dark red. Or charcoal and a very subdued orange. Various earth tones...they are gaining in my estimation as well.

Nothing takes the place of those Timberlands.

And what others have said in regards to making sure your heel is properly seated into the heel cup of the shoe or boot - that is key. Nothing goes through your socks faster than a dog, or constant excess movement of your heel inside the shoe. They actually make a strip to fit horizontally inside the heel shoe. Not under your heel, but affixed to the inside back, just under where your Achilles tendon will sit, which will prevent that movement. You could get them at the cobbler and any shoe store back in the day.

Sorry fellas. That was a lot on socks...

[MMR]

I usually buy work socks or whatever sports socks I can get a good deal on a 8+ pack of. For me socks lasts for the most part between 3-6 months, rarely more than that. smurfty thin socks usually lasts me anywhere from a day to a week.

I have tried everything from expensive name brand socks to cheap socks.....to thick socks to thin socks and it is always the same story...

So I don't really care to spend any big money on socks, I have found that sports socks or work socks usually lasts the best for me, so they are the ones I go for.

just my 2 cents

[Don Pablo]

So, I will not be rushing to buy socks now, but it will be sometime in the future. 
I have to think over all your advice. 

[Marc_in_NS]

I like “holy” socks!

[chrono]

My main go-to socks nowadays are just Nike crew socks (the colorful ones, usually sold in pack of 3). I like the compression across the bottom of the foot. I also fold the sock opening down on my calf, just stops above the ankle. In this manner, there is zero chance for the socks to slide inside the shoes. Less abrasion means less wear and tear, you get the picture. I also have more than enough socks for each day of the week. I usually throw socks away when there is a hole at the ball of the foot spot, rarely at the heel or the tip. The compression is usually still good. It is normal for my socks to last over 2 years.

Just my theory, you need to give your socks a chance for some R&R too, just like your shoes. If you wear the same socks for several days straight, I can't see how they last a long time.

[Don Pablo]

I only wear socks for a day.  Is that abnormal?

[Syncop8r]

What size are you?

[Don Pablo]

Around 42, why?

(Euro size).

[Huntsman]

Can't believe there is so much discussion on socks !!   
Saw the thread and was thinking it will be a couple of posts long !

My suggestions are M&S - pretty sure you have them in IRL - or NEXT - I know Next have a website - We use them for sending to Oz!

I have some Next socks that are well over 10 years old - No holes - But are only just starting to lose their shape a bit (elastic failing)
They were really cool / fun / sad as they were a set of five and had Monday, Tuesday, Wed etc etc embriodered by the ankle

Although one of my colleagues thought I was nuts to have such socks !

[Syncop8r]