Dumb Question: How much do you pay for socks?

[Aerows]

And what is the best kind to buy for a Northern person? I think wool is best, but I'm asking.

[hlthe2b]

1. I love wool socks--even in the summer time (highly breathable) but lots of people don't

that's why I'm a little iffy about buying them for others.

Since you asked, though I buy high quality wool several at a time so that I can get a multi-pair discount with usually free shipping. Smart wool or Lorpen (I like these better)... Expect to pay $12-$17 or more/pair

[Aerows]

2. holy cow

I didn't expect that much. I was looking to give something nice to the family. If that's what it costs, though. :sigh:.

[femmocrat]

3. Do you have a Bass outlet store near you?

I have found their socks to be good quality and reasonable ... like 3/$12 or something. I have only bought the women's though; don't know about men's.

I don't understand why socks are so damn expensive. You can try the department stores. With coupons and sales, you can find some deals.

[Aerows]

5. I don't get $17/pair socks, either

that seems absurd. I'm sure they are warm, but damn. I don't have a Bass outlet store nearby, but I'll look in the hunting and fishing stores. Heaven knows we have plenty of them around here in the sticks.

[gvstn]

10. Thing is since cotton doubled in price a few years back

Every manufacturer turned around and made their garments thinner. I just checked and prices have come down from the crazy highs but are still almost double where they were five years ago. http://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/?commodity=cotton&months=60 I know all the major athletic manufacturers like Champion, Nike, Adidas, Hanes have all made their socks extremely thin. (Don't even get me started on T-shirts that are so thread bare they look like the ones I would be ripping up for rags.)

Wool looks to have had a similar jump http://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/?commodity=coarse-wool&months=60

All that doesn't help fine a decent quality brand. I'll be reading the thread to look for specific recommendations as I always need socks.

As far as wool socks I have bought and liked these EMS wool socks but they are now $25/ 2-pair. http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3650429 I think I paid $9-11/pr. 2 years ago. If the quality is still the same then they were a good equivalent to SmartWool or Wigwam brand but are rather thick and may not be suitable for everyday wear. I use them around the house instead of slippers but they certainly fit fine into a pair of work boots and have held up very well for two winters.

[hlthe2b]

15. quality wool socks are expensive but they hold up well, are highly breathable (4 seasons) and

I get far less blisters with them than those cheap synthetic socks, which are basically wear once or twice and throw away...

If you wash in separate hosiery bags and don't overdry they last a really long time and are well worth the investment--especially if you do a lot of walking as I do.

[IrishAyes]

4. The very best sox in the world are green wool army issue. I believe you can find some Swiss

army stuff in the Heartland America catalog.

Regardless, wool's the way to go. Thick as possible. If you can get some at least one size too large. wash them a couple times in the hottest water possible and dry them in the hottest dryer you can find. That way you've created a sort of boiled wool, famous for warmth.

One secret hunters and football players use: nylon pantyhose as an underlayer. Get some flexible aluminum cardboard-type rolls from a hardware store and cut some footliners, too.

[Callmecrazy]

17. Agreed ...\

Best socks I ever wore.

[LiberalEsto]

6. I usually get my socks at Big Lots for around $1 or $2 a pair

and if it's really cold, I wear pantyhose under my jeans & socks. It's something I learned from some factory workers during a very cold winter in central Massachusetts many eyars ago.

[IrishAyes]

7. I'd almost run over Mother Theresa in a crosswalk if I thought it would get a Big Lots or

Aldi's to locate here. And don't even let me near a Pier 1 Imports; they're like catnip to me.

[Kaleva]

9. I buy mine at Family dollar for 6 pair at $7

[RebelOne]

11. Same here or I can get them at my local Kroger for $1.

At that price, I usually pick up a couple pairs at a time. I even have a few pairs in my sock drawer that are still brand new and never worn.

[hibbing]

8. Merino Wool

Last edited Sun Dec 15, 2013, 10:24 PM - Edit history (1)

Hey,
I love my wool socks, I wear them from September until the thaw in spring. I have *one* pair or Smartwool which I think is way way way overpriced and I will never buy again. Costco has Merino wool socks, 3-pack for like 15$. I have worn these Costco ones for three years now and they are holding up great. The evil Sam's club has them too for probably a couple bucks less.

Good luck with your sock shop.

Peace

[Rambis]

16. Running socks?

Costco? I run in wool year round love them and it is worth it to me to spend 15 per pair. Ran a marathon in Ocotber in a pair no blisters feet stayed very happy, legs not so much

[hibbing]

19. not running socks..sorry

The ones I have from Costco are regular sock size, not running ones. I think "regular sock size" is standard vernacular used by those in the sock industry.

Peace

[Rambis]

20. tx (NM)

[OriginalGeek]

12. The last socks I bought were 17 bucks for 1 pair (on sale from 20$)

But they were kilt hose. They are long so they can come up to just below the knee and fold back down to hold your flashes.

Mine were pretty similar to this:


But the ones I got are considred pretty low end for kilt hosiery. There are hand-woven pairs for over a hundred dollars. I;d love them but I'm just not going to pay that much for socks.

Probably not.

Any time soon anyway.

House of Cheviot makes some neat ones in the 40~60 dollar a pair range.

[BlueJazz]

13. 3 for 10 bucks

[NV Whino]

14. If you have a Big 5 near you,

I found great wool socks there. They're heavier than the REI Smart Wool socks and cheaper. Two pair for $15. I wear the wool summer and winter, except when it's so hot I wear sandals.

[TrogL]

18. Black sports socks - a big bag for $20

[B Calm]

21. I'm hard on socks, so I buy cheap ones.