Blacksocks Sockscription
Overengineered Socks
For some reason that I fail to grasp, I burn through dress socks faster than any man I know. Whether it’s the 2+ miles I walk every day or some freak-of-nature method in which I put my socks on, I still manage to rip, tear, or downright destroy most of my socks. Sometimes my foot-sheaths last me at least half a year, but typically their lifespan is just a few months in real Yang world conditions. No, I don’t rotate three pairs at a time - actually, I counted 27 pairs of dress and 10 pairs of athletics in my drawer. WTF?
Before you give me grief for being overly dramatic about my sock genocide, let me assure you I have tested out my fair share of socks on my quest to find the best. So far, the Gold Toe English Ribbed Socks that my fellow GP’er Patrick recommended have proven to be a hardy option. But I’m not one to be satisfied with gear status quo. After all, I do write for Gear Patrol so the relentless pursuit of better stuff(s) is in my blood.
The Europeans have been enjoying a service called “sockscription” by Blacksocks for a decade now. With a million socks sold, they must be onto something. Here’s how the service works: for an annual fee of $89, you’ll receive three pairs of high-quality socks (very high-quality), every four months, for a total of 9 pairs. At a little less than $10 a pair, it isn’t exactly bargain basement, but what it does do is get you this:
Your choices are calf socks (tested), knee socks (tested), athletic socks (tested), ski socks (not tested), or cashmere silk socks (not tested). These aren’t just any plain ole’ pair of socks you purchase at your favorite department store, though. They’re woven in Northern Italy with Oekotex dyed Peruvian Pima cotton that was cultivated in the foothills of the Andes Mountains (evidently, the more compact the yarn, the more resistant to chafing the fabric once woven). The fibers that make the warn are prewashed for 20 cycles to ensure color retention.
Editor’s Note: I’ve had these socks for a while now and how they’ll last over the next 6 months remains to be seen, but I can attest that they’re supremely comfortable and durable. Actually, I’ve got a pair of Blacksocks Calf Socks on as I write this.
Cost: $89 (per year)
So I’m a bit of a sock “snob” myself, and have been on the eternal quest to find a dress sock that doesn’t shred to swiss cheese, and where the elastic actually is designed to keep the sock up on my calves for more than 5 minutes.
I tried the Gold Toe English ribs - Patrick and your experience with these was much more positive than mmine, as those things seem to have no elastic in them at all, and instantly fell down into my wingtips!
Right now, I have a pair of 2xist Navy socks that I picked up at the Nordstrom rack, and a 3 Pack of Ralph Lauren Polo’s in Gray, Navy, and Black that I got at Macy’s which seem to be working out fine. But I’m definitely going to look into this service as well!
Give it a whirl and let us know what you think. You’re obviously quite the socktorialist. I tend to consider myself a humble fan of durability/comfort.
If it were up to me, I would prefer to never have to think about my socks staying up, I’d like to find that magic pair that is durable and stays up, so I don’t even have to think about them anymore
Have you tried wearing shoes with your socks? I find that makes them last longer.
Though not exactly traditional “dress” socks (which are normally pretty thin), I’ve had good luck with “Dressy” looking medium to lightweight hiking socks in dark blue or gray/black. Two brands come to mind - Smartwool and Teko. I think I’ve enjoyed the Teko light hiking socks (honestly I can’t remember exactly which Teko product they are, but they are a medium weight between thin running socks and traditionally thick hiking socks). See: http://www.tekosocks.com/product.php?id=36 . The color (dark navy) I really like doesn’t appear to be available on their site currently. Also check out Smartwool Adrenaline Medium Crew (again, I think these are what I like). Buy them in a neutral, dark gray.
The reason I like these socks is that they tend to stay up, they are not so thin that they feel unsubstantial and they are really high-performing socks which will keep your feet warm and dry (but not necessarily hot).
Ditto on the Smart Wool’s, I have 3 pairs of the City Slicker model, and while on the thick side, they stay up and have been very durable.
Logan -
I love Smartwool. They are just great all around socks. I wear them on cold golf days.
R u serious? Socks?
Got my order last week - amazing socks! Best I have ever purchased.
I was dinged a small international transaction charge on my credit card though…..