Good Socks?!

[ejchase]

This may seem a little ridiculous, but it seems like for the past 5 years, I haven't been able to find a decent pair of socks. I wear slacks to work 95% of the time, and I hate the nylon socks sold at places like Target to go under women's slacks. All I want are good, thick cotton socks in black and dark brown that won't fall apart in three months. Some of the ones I've bought have shrunk in the wash. Others just seem to get holes in them after very little wear. I admit I wear socks around the house, but it just seems like getting socks that last a couple of years shouldn't be so hard.

If I could just find one good brand, I would buy a bunch and be done with it. At the moment, I've resorted to buying men's black athletic socks, which work okay.

Anybody have any suggestions?

[SteveinMN]

The best socks I've ever owned either came from sporting-goods stores ($$$! and not always appropriate for "dress" wear) and Gold Toe socks from a department store, not Targer or other discount places. They've not failed as quickly as the others I've tried and their price is not a huge multiple of that of cheap socks, either. But I'm a guy with a standard shoe size. It's easier for me, I think. :)

[Tussiemussies]

Maybe llbean or Woolrich sell a better quality sock? Maybe someplace like an upper scale store -- the salesperson can lead to a higher quality made sock....:)

[Rosemary]

I actually like men's socks. I have a fairly large foot so they fit me ok, and they are a lot more comfortable than women's socks. In the winter I wear acrylic socks and in the warmer weather, a cotton/nylon blend or no socks, depending on the shoes I'm wearing. I buy socks in 2 colors, beige and black, and they seem to last for many years.

[ctg492]

Maybe try here: http://www.americansworking.com/socks.html
I ordered some socks from Wigwam and found them to be the best socks ever. But they are not dress socks.

[cdttmm]

SmartWool makes dressier socks in addition to athletic type socks. It's the only brand I wear now because they hold up so well.

[rosarugosa]

EJ: Nine West makes decent women's socks that look fine under slacks and have a high cotton content.

[fidgiegirl]

I also use dressy SmartWool socks. They last a long time. I'm needing to replace a few pairs now but I've had them about 3 or 4 years already. I do line dry them. If you watch for a sale you can get them for about $10 a pair. I have also used my REI coupons whenever I get them (20% off) to keep up my stash.

[awakenedsoul]

I just started knitting my own socks. I use Alpacasox yarn. It's alpaca, wool, and nylon. I plan to knit some cotton ones, too. T.J.Maxx sells some good quality socks at half price. It might help if you wear slippers over your socks at home. Nylon carpeting can make your socks wear out much faster. The other knitters tell me that their hand knit socks last several years. I've gone back to darning my socks. It helps them to last much longer, too.

[redfox]

SmartWool makes dressier socks in addition to athletic type socks. It's the only brand I wear now because they hold up so well.

Ditto. My podiatrist tells his patients to avoid cotton sox. They hold sweat, stretch, bunch up, and cause problems. I have since switched to Smartwool. I get them when they go on sale at REI. They are quite wonderful. I figure, if the Bedouins wear head to toe black wool in the desert, wearing wool sox year 'round is not a bad thing!

[saverchic]

I've been thinking about the same thing! How odd - thought I was the only one who had a sock issue. I might have to try out the SmartWools. I used to wear SmartWools for running, and I liked them. Didn't realize that they also made dress socks!

[pony mom]

Sierra Trading Post sells Smartwools at a discount. I'm spoiled now and want all my socks to be Smartwool.

[Never Again]

I'm in the process of trying to find decent socks now (the brand that worked well for me has been discontinued and the ones that I have are wearing out after 5 plus years of hard use). I agree with others that Smartwool makes a good product. However, I am actually more impressed at this point with Fox River merino wool socks (also made in USA). I may also try a pair of Wigwam socks in merino as they look pretty good (again made in USA too!!). I have so far bought and tried two pairs of Smartwools and two pairs of Fox River.

I find that I have to try several types buying one pair of each to test them out. I sometimes even wear (as a test) one sock from each of two different pairs to compare them in "real time". That is especially interesting when the two different pairs are of different colors (hey, I have another pair just like them!).