Hey OzBargain, I'm at the time of replacing my cheap socks for something a bit more durable. (Previously bought 1 pair poly black socks from Sunday markets and they haven't been very good. 50 cents a pair.)
Anywhere to go to get decent socks that last and more comfy??
Bonds socks are now made in china i believe, but the quality is still there? How long do they usually last? I normally wear black leather shoes so may not be the same as the explorer socks situation
The quality is still pretty good for the price point. I never bought them back when they were made in Australia as I was buying kmart socks. My sneaker socks get a good work out, as I go to the gym wearing them and am very active. I assume the business socks would be of similar quality.
More than a year easily for me.
Give them a go next time they are half price at Woolies or Coles.
For work boots, splurge on a Bamboo Textiles extra thick socks. Really comfortable.
Great for high school kids too.
My socks will be hugely unpopular on this website for their price. But they give me untold pleasure every morning I put them on.
darntough.com
Apparently they have a lifetime warranty. I buy them through massdrop.com whenever they have them and have slowly phased out my holey Kmart crappers.
I've seen these recommended elsewhere. What's a good price? I've also found all the different lengths confusing. Which ones are the closest to a typical Australian sock?
A lifetime warranty is a great selling point and something far more companies should offer if they want to look honest when they call their products high-quality. A great shame no Australian sock maker can live up to such a promise. HOWEVER, Darn Tough have way, way too many types of socks so I've never bought from them or any of their hundreds of different stockists, being utterly confused as to what sock is best for me.
I swear by the wollen mix socks from costco. Cant get through the winter without it! One of costco's best kept secrets IMO.
ps.: $20 for 4 pairs
Timely thread. I wear workbooks for ~12+ days. I need good quality comfy socks that won't make my feet sweat. Anything out there?
Recently bought some bamboo socks, although comfy, I don't think it will last…I fear they'll be drenched during summer…
Haven't had much luck with some of the thin socks from bonds….
The Bamboo Textiles Extra Thick socks are going strong after a year in safety boots. They are really comfy and don't smell.
generally ones that are my size
Icebreaker merino wool socks.
i find these make my feet sweat =( and pretty expensive.
lifetime guarantee is great though.
Yes, very expensive - I only buy when they are on deep discount.
I didn't know there was a lifetime guarantee. Are you sure?
@dasher86: Thanks mate. One work pair had holes quickly. Luckily I kept them as a rag. I bought online so got proof of purchase!
The sports ones have lasted 7 years and counting and are almost like new.
What's usually the best way to find a good price? Online direct, ice breaker stores, particular retailers/stockists?
@newdad: Over five years ago there was a period where they had huge manufacturer discounts (so pretty much across the board with different retailers), but cheapest at some NZ online stores. More recently there were bargains to be had at outlet stores (Sydney in my case).
I haven't bought anything in a few years because I have many pieces and they last pretty well.
@dasher86: Managed to get to the Pitt St store today to exchange holey socks for brand new one with RRP of $35.
I get icebreaker socks from their outlet sale in Sydney.
Crockwell socks because I support Australian made.
How long do they last for you? Do they go on sale? TIA.
Nah I probably wouldn't recommend them. I only have a few pairs from when I went through Crookwell. Usually I don't wear them because they aren't stylish. One of my pairs broke but I think it was because moths got into them.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/socks-appeal-o…
Thanks for the link.. who knew.. might order a couple just out of curiosity… thanks.
What kind of socks do you need? For office wear I buy Uniqlo - been wearing mine for a few years with no holes yet. Saying that I spend most of my day sitting - probably not much wear and tear.
Used to be running socks with cool-max in them. I am not a runner just someone who walks a lot and is terrified of blisters. The aldi running socks if I can get them. As the years have progressed I can no longer find female running shocks with cool-max (yes you can still buy them for males).
If anyone is a runner and female can you please let me know what socks you buy?
As far as running socks go, I dont see why there should be a difference between male/female. A sock is a sock, no?
Don't buy socks with L and R on them, they'll do your head in…
Especially if your superstitious…
I also like to buy the bonds sneakers ones when on special (quite often). I've even bought some that were Explorer branded (still sneakers!) And they were excellent but can't seem to find them anymore.
One thing that bugs me though is the sizing. I buy the 6-10, am size ~10.5, and they are still too big! How the hell do they fit someone a size 6?!
For office, I wear Rivers. They are a little thicker so are more comfortable. I've had mine for years and only a few have lost their elasticity at the top. But at $2/pair, they are easily replaceable.
The least durable socks I've ever bought are probably the two pairs of 'bedsocks' I picked up from Best and Less for $1 each (on discount). I'd say I got about 20 uses out of them before they expressed gigantic holes.
Any recommendations for comfortable, stay up, hole proof black socks for office leather work shoes?
I've had five pairs of wool blend black crew length Kathmandu hiking socks for the last five years. They're only just starting to show wear now, despite constant wear and the fact that I do a lot of walking at lunch times and to meetings around the Sydney CBD. I've lost track of how many pairs of black work shoes I've gone through in the same time.
Unfortunately Kathmandu no longer seems to stock them and replaced them with very little wool and lots of acrylic.
I'm considering the icebreaker socks referred to above as they look and feel similar. Paddy Pallin has the medium weight ones for $45/pair with a buy two, get one free deal at the moment, but I don't know if $30@ is a regular sale price or a good deal.
I'm looking for long lasting socks (like Holeproof) we have had great experience with Explorer socks, but are looking for thinner summer socks (both business wear & casual).
What's the best place to get Holeproof (or similar/better) quality
If you can justify ~$25 a pair, Darn Tough from Vermont are incredibly long lasting and have a lifetime warranty.
I’m thinking like $10 per pair or less
this gets asked like a million times
And? Doesn't seem like there's a great answer…
Aldi and Uniqlo are pretty good.
AU-made socks with a high wool component from eBay.
Example?
Thanks!
Been getting these for a while. Very strong and comfortable and only $3 a pair https://www.kmart.com.au/product/2-pack-extreme-adventure-so…
Bonds ‘ultimate comfort low cut’. They’re often on sale, up to 40% off to makes them affordable for the good quality. I also find there’s plenty elasticity to keep the socks from falling down!
Depends what kind of shoes you wear. I mostly wear steel cap boots, and then sneakers. For my steel cap boots I always wait for Woolies or Coles to go half price then buy Explorer Works socks. They are great. Comfy and well padded for work boots. For sneakers I normally buy Bonds socks when they are also half price (normally the same time as Explorer, as they are the same company) as they are also good quality and comfy. I only ever buy when half price though.
I used to buy socks form Kmart, but they die pretty fast and are too thin. Sometimes for certain items the cheapest option isn't always the best.