I've posted here before about an affliction in acquiring colorful socks. And I still believe that all men owe it to themselves to buy one set of socks with color scheme that it outside of their comfort zone and wear them regularly to work.
But my love of wool socks has started to turn to "Lifetime Socks"
Smartwool has nothing on these socks. Smartwool has no warranty and no guarantee behind it. If I wear a hole in a $20-odd pair of Smartwook: I have a holey sock.
The first two that likely comes to everyone's mind are: Red Head (from Bass Pro) and Darn Tough.
Redhead: hasn't had my full opportunity to test out as they're clearly a cool/cold weather sock (even though I picked the "midweight" lifetime sock) and it's still warm here. They're really a nice warm sock and I look forward to them when October rolls around.
Darn Tough: I've already had to replace two pairs for wearing through within 6 months. The size seems to be a little small. The Large (going to sz11.5 or 45) with my 11.5 foot is just large enough. But by the end of the day they wear themselves down a little. Where i've worn them out isn't on the heel or ball of my foot but on the sides of my foot. It's an odd spot that I've never worn out any other sock.
The other two are lesser known.
Teko: I've a couple pairs of short running socks (that I use for bicycling) that are brilliant. They're just the right thickness for year-round use (as much as my bicycle cold tolerance takes me) and breathe well.
Icebreaker: this is a recent acquisition of mine. They feel similar as the Darn Tough but the sizing feels much better. They're stretchier and stick where they should better. i've also a short pair for comparison with the Teko and they do admirably.
All of my lifetime socks have a serious barrier to entry that a $20 10-pack from walmart doesn't have. But I'm particular on my socks and love wool socks. I'm already armed to pay a premium to get wool and, in many cases, it's only a small premium to get a lifetime brand (or, in the case of Smartwool, there's no premium... Just stop buying that brand!)
Replacement of socks, with these brands, is limited. Teko and Darn Tough require you to mail them your socks. Mailing costs for socks coming up to a couple bucks make it more than an inconvenience.
RedHead and Icebreaker both have retail stores that'll handle your replacements for you. This is, by far, more convenient.
Long and the short of (my sock world) it: the Darn Tough replacement was painless (I cheated and used the MEC 'guarantee' instead) but the odd wear patterns disturb me.
The Icebreaker (for 3-seasons) combined with the RedHead (winter) will get my future vote (cash) for socks as I slowly replace my non-lifetime socks.
I just wish that there were more fun patterns available on these socks.
Any other lifetime brands that you're aware of?
But my love of wool socks has started to turn to "Lifetime Socks"
Smartwool has nothing on these socks. Smartwool has no warranty and no guarantee behind it. If I wear a hole in a $20-odd pair of Smartwook: I have a holey sock.
The first two that likely comes to everyone's mind are: Red Head (from Bass Pro) and Darn Tough.
Redhead: hasn't had my full opportunity to test out as they're clearly a cool/cold weather sock (even though I picked the "midweight" lifetime sock) and it's still warm here. They're really a nice warm sock and I look forward to them when October rolls around.
Darn Tough: I've already had to replace two pairs for wearing through within 6 months. The size seems to be a little small. The Large (going to sz11.5 or 45) with my 11.5 foot is just large enough. But by the end of the day they wear themselves down a little. Where i've worn them out isn't on the heel or ball of my foot but on the sides of my foot. It's an odd spot that I've never worn out any other sock.
The other two are lesser known.
Teko: I've a couple pairs of short running socks (that I use for bicycling) that are brilliant. They're just the right thickness for year-round use (as much as my bicycle cold tolerance takes me) and breathe well.
Icebreaker: this is a recent acquisition of mine. They feel similar as the Darn Tough but the sizing feels much better. They're stretchier and stick where they should better. i've also a short pair for comparison with the Teko and they do admirably.
All of my lifetime socks have a serious barrier to entry that a $20 10-pack from walmart doesn't have. But I'm particular on my socks and love wool socks. I'm already armed to pay a premium to get wool and, in many cases, it's only a small premium to get a lifetime brand (or, in the case of Smartwool, there's no premium... Just stop buying that brand!)
Replacement of socks, with these brands, is limited. Teko and Darn Tough require you to mail them your socks. Mailing costs for socks coming up to a couple bucks make it more than an inconvenience.
RedHead and Icebreaker both have retail stores that'll handle your replacements for you. This is, by far, more convenient.
Long and the short of (my sock world) it: the Darn Tough replacement was painless (I cheated and used the MEC 'guarantee' instead) but the odd wear patterns disturb me.
The Icebreaker (for 3-seasons) combined with the RedHead (winter) will get my future vote (cash) for socks as I slowly replace my non-lifetime socks.
I just wish that there were more fun patterns available on these socks.
Any other lifetime brands that you're aware of?
