I’m looking for some good socks for around the house. I work at home and the weather here is not super cold, but not exactly warm most of the year, so I spend a lot of time in them.
In the past I’ve usually just worn white crew socks, but I’d like something new since the Under Armor socks I have been using have moved away from cotton and aren’t breathable despite the venting they added. I’m posting here because I’m really sensitive to discomfort in my feet and most people just don’t get it.
The traits I’m looking for, mostly in order of priority:
- Minimal feeling seams, especially at the toe
- Material that’s not itchy and is breathable, cotton has been the best traditionally, but those keep getting harder to find and still not violate #1.
- Thick enough to keep warm, but not so thick they aren’t breathable. I dont want athlete’s foot from them, lol.
- Size, they need to either come in multiple sizes, or not be huge and end up with the heel halfway up my Achilles tendon, and not so tight that they imprint on my leg. I wear a US Women’s size 8.
- Low priority, but cute/feminine would be nice. But since these are mostly for the house, not a huge priority.
I’d like something relatively affordable, but long lasting is more important than cost, within reason. And I’m in the US, so something available here or online with reasonable shipping costs to the US.
Any suggestions, or even brands you prefer would be helpful. I know it’s a lot to ask from a sock, but I’d love any help.
Thanks so much.
First of all, wearing tube socks inside out was revelatory for me. No seam problems, no texture problems, etc. AFAIK Hanes still makes mostly-cotton socks. Buy them in person, not online. Inside out socks is a general practice for me, not just around the house.
Secondly, I have opted for a pair of extremely comfortable indoor-only shoes. I got a pair of no-laces sketchers that go in and off with no hands. I got mine as a gift but if they’re expensive, the next best option is $10 “kung fu” slippers (like everyone wears in old Bruce Lee movies) — get rubber-soled ones if you have a lot of carpeting; cotton soles are better (more comfy, more breathable), but you’ll slip around on the carpet. And get them at least one size bigger, maybe 2.
Hmmm, I might try inside out if I end up with socks that have bad seems again. Probably wouldn’t help as much with shoes since there would still be the extra pressure against the toes, but without shoes it sounds interesting.
I should have also mentioned I don’t want shoes for two reasons. Sweat which brings discomfort and risk of athlete’s foot and other minor infections which is insanely uncomfortable (though powder could partly mitigate that). But also I just hate anything on my feet anyway. It’s uncomfortable to me and I like feeling what I’m walking on, I’m much less clumsy when feeling the floor/ground for some reason. If my feet didn’t get so cold and uncomfortable due to that, I’d go without socks all the time, but summer when it’s over 75F or so, is short here, so I need them most days.
Darn tough socks out of Vermont is the way to go. I think I have five pairs of mid calf, three above the ankle and one below ankle. No other socks in my life
they offer many weights, but mid sounds like your best bet
just ordered my first pair of these yesterday. I hope they are as good as everyone says!
second this, though my favorite pair are similar, but from a company called “farm to feet”
Darn Tough is pretty expensive in terms of socks, I think.
Not when you take into account how nice they are, how long they last, and that lifetime replacement warranty.
Merino wool socks from almost any brand that specializes in them. That’s what I have, and they’re great.
Merino socks are fantastic. Warm, not sweaty, durable. Costco has them periodically in a bundle for cheap.
I use slippers that can be worn year-round, and then just use them with normal socks to customise the preferred temperature of your feet
I’m just popping in from /all but check out diabetic socks if you’re just looking for something to wear around the house. They’re usually 100% cotton and loosely knitted to not cut off circulation. I used to wear them all the time for this exact purpose, but now just stick with house shoes.
Thanks! I actually did see some when I was looking around online, but I thought they were compression socks. I’ll have to look at them again.
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Thinking outside the socks…… uggs? If it suits your needs, there a world of slippers out there
Have you tried bamboo socks? I love that material personally, very soft, very non-itchy, very pleasant. I’m trying to move most of my wardrobe I can into bamboo, not just socks. It’s also naturally breathable.
I do love bamboo fabrics. I splurged on a sheet set and duvet cover a couple of years ago and it’s all I use anymore. So much so that I probably need to buy more, soon, lol.
Any suggestions on brands? I see a lot of cheap stuff on places like Amazon and I worry they will just tear immediately. I have old hardwood floors that periodically splinter a tiny bit. Also just because I wear then so often.
Also, do the socks tend to be more slippery than cotton, my sheets sure are, lol? I suppose it might depend on the thickness since thicker socks tend to slip a little less than thinner in general (fabric compression I guess?), but just curious if its a satiny feel or more like a cottony feel. I’m fine with a little slip. I’ve learned to walk on my hardwood floors with just about anything on my feet, just curious.
Last I bought was Lifewear, they’re pretty good but I’m pretty sure it’s a Swedish brand. No idea if they ship internationally but probably not unfortunately.
Yeah they’re probably a bit more slippery. Not really enough to cause you to fall over constantly or anything but on like a hardwood floor I can see it being noticeable.
In terms of feel these ones I have right now are sort of an in-between feel, they’re only 72% bamboo so they’re nice and soft and pleasant without feeling like slippery silk.
How are the sheets doing for wear?
Not bad actually. I’ve had them for almost three years and wash them every two weeks or so on average. I use delicate cycles in a front loading washer and gentle detergent on most stuff, but even with that they actually haven’t worn badly at all.
That all sounds very reasonable, I might just have to give them a go!
Thanks :-)
