What do you prioritize in socks?

[Son Of Saphir]

I've been speaking to the owner of Mes Chaussettes Rougues lately, seeing if they could move away from the higher poly count socks they usually stock (20 - 28% poly) and the stale old designs and move more towards more 90% wool socks, more vibrant designs and more one tone 90% wool socks. To my surprise they prefer the higher poly count because they last longer, and despite them preferring the feel of the 90% wools, they consider them too fragile. It would appear longevity is a major factor for men's socks at Mes Chaussettes Rougues. I also notice there are a lot of old stale designs like houndstooth and others, and it explains why William Abraham was introduced to the market; so many socks are so uninteresting and uninspired from the top makers. Kabbaz also introduced vibrant ranges when he was alive. The real problem is the price of socks these days, and Mes Chaussettes Rougues offers a good price point, but it often comes with the compromise of higher poly count or the old uninspired designs for the wools, but the cotton shadow stripes are always good. The owners tell me the 90% wools don't sell that well, nor do the vibrant 90% wools they have sold in the past. Now they are heavily promoting longevity of the extra durable which are about 30% poly.

So what are people's thinking on socks:
- do people prioritize longevity over the comfort of high wool/low poly?
- what do people think about the sock designs of the top makers?
- are you prepared to sacrifice longevity for extra sock comfort?

Sometimes one needs to go through special sock sources because the online highend socks are so boring and often limited to mid calf length. Trying to find a nice thick sock for winter shoes is also difficult. Trying to find nice socks is very difficult these days, and some of the nice ones are one size fits all, there seem to be very few socks which are `just right'. Finding a good sock is like finding gold, there are so few which hit the mark. One can use secret sources to get the nicer socks that are never advertised or sold online, but the cost is high.

Socks are so expensive these days, but a lot of work goes into them. Look at the sock machines they have, incredible. The problem is, socks are so thin and they don't last for many wears.

O.k, how about we have a proper sock conversation, it is well overdue.

 

[MattyS]

I live in a warm climate, so my socks are cotton rather than wool. I wonder if they have similar problems with longevity.

 

[Son Of Saphir]

My cotton socks seem to last a long time, not so with my wool socks.

 

[jko]

I wear Falke Airport socks almost exclusively. They are 60% Virgin Wool, 23% Cotton, 15% Polyamide, 2% Elastane. I’m a bit disappointed on their longevity, but they are comfortable, fit well, and are readily available from Amazon, often at a discount. I have them in fun colors, like solid navy or grey.

Bresciani are flimsy, too thin, and do not stay up. I feel like I should have sized down but somehow that feels weird on socks, and didn’t want to try again after the initial disappointment.

I have some cotton Pantherellas which are nice, but don’t wear them that often because the transition from wool socks in winter to low socks or sockless in spring/summer is so quick.

The Falkes are so comfortable that I never have to think about them. Would be interesting to experience how it would affect the comfort/longevity if they doubled the amount of poly.

 

[Jason12]

Most of my socks are from Mes Chaussettes Rougues and I find the pure cotton lisle to be too fragile and get holes around the heel. The wool last a bit longer than the cotton. For my latest order I switched to the super durable cotton to see how they will hold up.

 

[DorianGreen]

I've been speaking to the owner of Mes Chaussettes Rougues lately, seeing if they could move away from the higher poly count socks they usually stock (20 - 28% poly) and the stale old designs and move more towards more 90% wool socks, more vibrant designs and more one tone 90% wool socks. To my surprise they prefer the higher poly count because they last longer, and despite them preferring the feel of the 90% wools, they consider them too fragile. It would appear longevity is a major factor for men's socks at Mes Chaussettes Rougues. I also notice there are a lot of old stale designs like houndstooth and others, and it explains why William Abraham was introduced to the market; so many socks are so uninteresting and uninspired from the top makers. Kabbaz also introduced vibrant ranges when he was alive. The real problem is the price of socks these days, and Mes Chaussettes Rougues offers a good price point, but it often comes with the compromise of higher poly count or the old uninspired designs for the wools, but the cotton shadow stripes are always good. The owners tell me the 90% wools don't sell that well, nor do the vibrant 90% wools they have sold in the past. Now they are heavily promoting longevity of the extra durable which are about 30% poly.

So what are people's thinking on socks:
- do people prioritize longevity over the comfort of high wool/low poly?
- what do people think about the sock designs of the top makers?
- are you prepared to sacrifice longevity for extra sock comfort?

Sometimes one needs to go through special sock sources because the online highend socks are so boring and often limited to mid calf length. Trying to find a nice thick sock for winter shoes is also difficult. Trying to find nice socks is very difficult these days, and some of the nice ones are one size fits all, there seem to be very few socks which are `just right'. Finding a good sock is like finding gold, there are so few which hit the mark. One can use secret sources to get the nicer socks that are never advertised or sold online, but the cost is high.

Socks are so expensive these days, but a lot of work goes into them. Look at the sock machines they have, incredible. The problem is, socks are so thin and they don't last for many wears.

O.k, how about we have a proper sock conversation, it is well overdue.

I also noticed that they (Mes Chaussettes Rouges) have increased the number of items with some amount of elastan (even worse than nylon for me) for the so called one-size-fits-all sock, which is utterly disappointing for a retailer who is commited to sell high quality socks.

I prioritize quality of material and construction overall, durability is also important, of course, especially with the high prices commanded for the top notch garments, but having a large rotation will help a lot in extending the life of your socks.

I always wear tailored (proper size), over-the-calf socks, mostly in wool. I also have some in cotton, cashmere, cashmere and silk blend.

Curiously, my experience is different than yours: my cotton socks usually wear out sooner than my wool ones.

 

[TomTom]

All my socks are cotton, wool ones are just too hot for me and I live in the Uk. SO far the best ones are from Falke followed by Dore Dore. Bresciani are amazing but very thin and you get a hole in no time, even when wearing them in rotation. Pantherella are nice for the summer as they do some thinner models and their over calf are ok and a lot of the time on discount plus I like their colour selection.

 

[Jsm87]

I also noticed that they (Mes Chaussettes Rouges) have increased the number of items with some amount of elastan (even worse than nylon for me) for the so called one-size-fits-all sock, which is utterly disappointing for a retailer who is commited to sell high quality socks.

I prioritize quality of material and construction overall, durability is also important, of course, especially with the high prices commanded for the top notch garments, but having a large rotation will help a lot in extending the life of your socks.

I always wear tailored (proper size), over-the-calf socks, mostly in wool. I also have some in cotton, cashmere, cashmere and silk blend.

Curiously, my experience is different than yours: my cotton socks usually wear out sooner than my wool ones.

Where do you get your socks from?

 

[DorianGreen]

Where do you get your socks from?

I have so many, purchased in a long time since I was always a "sock guy". I bought them online and in physical shops. My favourite brands are Bresciani, Sozzi, Palatino, Gammarelli, Ciocca, Gallo (only Tailored line), Pantherella, Turnbull & Asser (made by Pantherella), Mazarin (Mes Chaussettes Rouges's own brand).

 

[epsilon22]

When I switched from cotton Pantherella (for comfort reasons I prefer wool, as I sweat a lot, and wet cotton is very cold during winter), I tried Pedemeia, I think they were 80% wool 20% nylon or something like that, nothing too unusual. They wore out in a year (on average worn once a week, probably even less), which felt disappointing. Currently trying Pantherella, I think 70% wool 30% nylon or so, hoping these will last longer.

I haven't tried 90%+ wool socks yet so I can't speak for comfort, but now I'm curious to try.

 

[DapperDan15]

I have never found my wool dress socks lacking in durability, and I prefer 100% fine wool for them, though some reinforcement for the heels and toes is tolerable. My evening socks are Pantherella silk, and Darn Tough (about 60-70% wool, 30-35% poly/nylon, some elastane) for casual, but the latter mostly because of styles and winter weight options.

 

[DorianGreen]

When I switched from cotton Pantherella (for comfort reasons I prefer wool, as I sweat a lot, and wet cotton is very cold during winter), I tried Pedemeia, I think they were 80% wool 20% nylon or something like that, nothing too unusual. They wore out in a year (on average worn once a week, probably even less), which felt disappointing. Currently trying Pantherella, I think 70% wool 30% nylon or so, hoping these will last longer.

I haven't tried 90%+ wool socks yet so I can't speak for comfort, but now I'm curious to try.

I also feel wool more comfortable than cotton, even in summer.

I'd say, the higher the wool amount the better, but I don't really notice the difference between 10% and 30% nylon in the blend.

Edit: The most of my socks are 80/85% wool and 20/15% nylon.

 

[rjc149]

I wear cotton socks to the gym because they're very breathable and I change out of them immediately afterwards, so lingering dampness isn't a concern.

For daily wear, I always wear wool socks now. Long time wearer of Darn Tough, and I've come around to Boardroom dress socks which are a merino blend and I find the moisture-wicking and breathable properties of wool keep my feet drier, which makes them warmer in winter, cooler in summer. I have very sweaty feet so breathability in particular is of paramount concern in an all-day sock.