Best mens dress socks - recommendations

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timmmay

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#208991 8-Mar-2017 09:05

I like good socks. Socks that are comfortable, don't fade or stretch. I don't like mismatched pairs, caused by the fading or stretching.

Cotton is a terrible material for socks. It absorbs moisture, it stretches, it fades. You really want a soft material that transfers moisture outwards to evaporate. Wool is better, but it's a bit scratchy.

A few years ago I got a dozen pairs Thorlo mens dress socks. Despite the error in the Amazon listing, there's no cotton in them. They're lasted a long time, 2-3 years, but they're starting to wear out. That model has been discontinued and the replacement Thorlo model gets fairly poor reviews.

I've Googled for sock reviews, but there are too many around. Most socks seem to be sold on their pattern rather than their utility. Sock appearance is irrelevant to me, but I prefer plain black.

I'm looking for recommendations for great dress socks, with the following caveats:

Nothing with cotton in them, or at least not much
Nothing that's mostly wool
If I can get them in NZ great, but I've never found great socks in NZ
Prefer NZ$30 per pair or less

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#1732852 8-Mar-2017 09:22

It seems to take me no time at all to go through the toe of most socks (that being said I've never gotten particularly expensive socks - mainly Jockey Gold Top etc). I've changed to Holeproof and haven't gone through a toe yet.

The ones I got are about 73% cotton, but these ones are only 41% cotton.

I'd also be interested in other recommendations, especially for ones that a very resistant to holes on the toe and also have a better range of colours than Holeproof.

Lizard1977

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#1732857 8-Mar-2017 09:38

I bought four pairs of these Drymax socks about three years ago. I wear them every week, so they've clocked up a bit of mileage. They still look and feel pristine - not a single fibre out of place, no holes or even an inkling of a hole. My feet don't sweat in them, and there's no (or very little) smell. They are far and away the best socks I have ever owned, and that includes the Thorlos I've bought in the past. They're made in the US, and they even have a "version" number (I have one pair of v4.4, and three pairs of v5.0!) I was fortunate enough to get four pairs for the price of three, and using my $50 Shoe Clinic loyalty voucher, all up it cost me just $54. They are worth every cent, and quite possibly the perfect sock.

timmmay

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#1732863 8-Mar-2017 09:47

@Lizard1977, Drymax dress crew look like a good option, thanks, a bit cheaper than Thorlo and they ship directly to NZ :) A few questions, based on Amazon reviews:

How's the sizing - larger or smaller than expected / usual?
How's the comfort? Some have said they're scratchy.
How thick are they? Many people have said they're quite thick, which makes your feet warm

tieke

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#1732867 8-Mar-2017 09:51

I know you're not keen on wool, but I've had good experience with merino. At the moment I have gone for quantity over ruggedness - I find these merino socks from the warehouse to be very comfortable, and bought eighteen pairs when they had one of those high percentage warehouse card deals combined with a buy one, get one half price thing, so it ended up being $4 or $5 a pair. I emptied my sock drawer of all previous socks and now don't have to worry about matching or finding individual socks.

6FIEND

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#1732871 8-Mar-2017 09:58

I'm a big fan of Merino wool.

http://nz.icebreaker.com/en/mens-socks?prefn1=activity&prefv1=Travel%20%26%20Lifestyle

Completely non-scratchy. Excellent comfort, durability, dryness and odour control.

(I tried their dress socks after being impressed during a 100km "trail walk" in their Hiking socks)

Lias

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#1732872 8-Mar-2017 09:58

$35 for a pair of socks? Bloody hell I think 2 for 12 is pricey :-)

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timmmay

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#1732875 8-Mar-2017 10:03

6FIEND:

I'm a big fan of Merino wool.

http://nz.icebreaker.com/en/mens-socks?prefn1=activity&prefv1=Travel%20%26%20Lifestyle

Completely non-scratchy. Excellent comfort, durability, dryness and odour control.

(I tried their dress socks after being impressed during a 100km "trail walk" in their Hiking socks)

I find merino scratchy as well.

Lias:

$35 for a pair of socks? Bloody hell I think 2 for 12 is pricey :-)

I used to buy cheap socks but ended up discarding them much more frequently. Total cost of ownership is lower for me with more expensive, more durable socks.

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Paul1977

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#1732876 8-Mar-2017 10:05

Drymax sound good. Unfortunately (for me) they only appear to come in black. I need black, dark grey/charcoal, and navy.

While I'm reasonably happy with Holeproof colours other than black are only available in the lower quality 4-packs, and to get 1 pair of charcoal I also get a light grey (that I don't want) and 2 black pairs. Navy not so bad, I get 3 navy and 1 light blue(which I don't want).

MikeAqua

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#1732883 8-Mar-2017 10:24

I buy 5-packs of Harlequin heel and toe stripe socks from farmers. Black with coloured heels and toes.

Cotton, nylon and elastine blend that retains shape and is comfortable and is durable.

I realise OP said no cotton. I used to be 'merino not cotton' but I've been converted by harlequin.

I get hot feet very easily and I wear Doc's year round and my feet stay cool and dry in these socks.

The coloured patches assist matching pairs, but are covered by shoes and trousers, so they look like plain back socks.

Mike

timmmay

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#1732886 8-Mar-2017 10:27

Harlequin look like the typical crappy cotton socks I used to buy.

Geektastic

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#1732889 8-Mar-2017 10:31

Have a look here.

jonathan18

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#1732893 8-Mar-2017 10:32

I'm happy to use cotton-rich socks for work, given I'm not really getting terribly sweaty sitting at the computer; I use poly/other blend or merino for running and exercise which is when I need that moisture wicking property - in all other situations I'll avoid wearing anything polyester.

Perhaps try some other decent cotton-rich brands before dismissing all cotton socks, or as others have suggested try out merino (which I'd be happy to use, but they're just so expensive!). I used to buy Gold Top socks but found they quickly became rough and wore out really quickly - more recently I've discovered a cotton sock for work that feels great, wears well and is reasonable priced - it's the Holeproof model designed for avoiding DVT.

MikeAqua

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#1732894 8-Mar-2017 10:33

timmmay:

Harlequin look like the typical crappy cotton socks I used to buy.

They do look like that. But in my experience they aren't.

Mike

timmmay

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#1732898 8-Mar-2017 10:38

jonathan18:

I'm happy to use cotton-rich socks for work, given I'm not really getting terribly sweaty sitting at the computer; I use poly/other blend or merino for running and exercise which is when I need that moisture wicking property - in all other situations I'll avoid wearing anything polyester.

Perhaps try some other decent cotton-rich brands before dismissing all cotton socks, or as others have suggested try out merino (which I'd be happy to use, but they're just so expensive!). I used to buy Gold Top socks but found they quickly became rough and wore out really quickly - more recently I've discovered a cotton sock for work that feels great, wears well and is reasonable priced - it's the Holeproof model designed for avoiding DVT.

I tried plenty in the past. I find with leather shoes, or sometimes more solid shoes, my feet get a bit warm and slightly moist.

Ironically, the only pair of socks I've worn that've ever developed a hole are "Holeproof" brand.

Lizard1977

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#1732901 8-Mar-2017 10:45

timmmay:

@Lizard1977, Drymax dress crew look like a good option, thanks, a bit cheaper than Thorlo and they ship directly to NZ :) A few questions, based on Amazon reviews:

How's the sizing - larger or smaller than expected / usual?
How's the comfort? Some have said they're scratchy.
How thick are they? Many people have said they're quite thick, which makes your feet warm

Sizing is fine. I usually wear size 10 or 10.5 shoes, and find the XL socks fit comfortably. I'm a big sort of guy, so XL is my standard size for clothing. They have a good amount of give, too, so sizing doesn't have to be spot on.

Comfort is exceptional. I don't have any problems with scratching.

They are reasonably thick, but I find this helps with the fit of my shoes (Timberland dress shoes, also from Shoe Clinic). Despite the thickness, they don't overheat my feet; temperature control is great.

As for those who question spending $35 on a pair of socks, I used to ask the same kinds of questions. But I've come to learn that when it comes to socks and shoes (at least for me), money spent on quality pays off in the long run. For the last 12 years I've only bought shoes from Shoe Clinic, and while each pair of shoes has a hefty upfront capital investment, they are infinitely better than buying cheaper* shoes more often (not to mention, less wasteful). They stay comfortable for longer, fit better, look better, and the long-term cost is the same or better than cheaper shoes. With socks it's the same. I can buy cheap socks in bulk from K-Mart or Warehouse, but they're in the bin after a few months.

* "Cheaper" in this context isn't necessarily $30 buck shoes from No 1 Shoe Warehouse. I've tried shoes in the $100-200+ range from "reputable" brands but none compare to the quality stocked at Shoe Clinc.

Disclaimer - I don't work for Shoe Clinic. Other retailers are available...

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