I bought some smart wool socks here and they are holding up remarkably well.

Darn Tough are phenomenal for normal socks. I like under armor for my workout socks. No complaints and pretty cheap at the online outlet.

For my work boots (steel toe, 40 hour week):
Walmart socks lasted less than 1 shift before holes developed.
Thorlos lasted about 3 months.
Darn Tough have lasted 22 months so far and still going strong, although not nearly as soft as they once were.

For work boots and tennis shoes I like under armour. For cowboy boots I like Tony Lama. A great place to buy good socks for a good price is Sierra Trading Post link They sell a lot of the brands mentioned in this thread. I buy most of my outdoor work clothing from them, they have a lot of good deals on closeouts and irregulars.

I prefer the Darn Tough coolmax socks for workout socks.

I stopped buying thorlo and darn tough socks.

Now I buy smartwool from rei clearance when they go on sale. Typically 14-15 dollars a pair. Some times you can get them for 10.

I buy the ski style socks. They are merino wool and go up to my knees. They are not one size fits all and they are gender specific so the fit is really good. They are high quality and the knee high styles offer a lot of support, as much as weaker prescription compression socks. You will notice the difference in how your feet feel after a day of work standing on them.

I get the ski ultra light for daily wear. Its basically just a durable merino wool sock.

I get the ski light or slope style light and ski medium for outdoors camping and hiking. They have more padding from the toe box to the heal and on the shin, which makes a lot of difference when hiking and wearing boots.

For the winter I get the slope style mediums, they are a thicker extra padding everywhere type wool sock.

These are extremely durable. I was working 5 12 hour days as an extruder tech for 9 months with 6 pairs of these socks. After the 9 months, only one had holes in the heel and two others were thinning. I weighed 345lbs at the time and was in steel toed boots with no blisters or anything like that. I was more then impressed.

This site will show you more about the styles smartwool ski socks

People don't necessarily consider these types of socks for everyday wear. They may not be as chic as fine socks and designer styles, but they are mistaken if they feel that it is in some way an inferior product or solution to daily wear.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Nickelsig229,

I've been wearing Smartwool medium weight hiking socks for a few years now, 365, work, leisure, everything-except working out or wearing tennis shoes.

I'll be watching for the work-out sock recommendations.

For hiking or boot socks I used to wear Smartwool and switched to Darn Tough maybe a year ago and am very pleased with them.

quote:

Originally posted by Tejas421:
Balega. The best running/workout socks I’ve ever owned.

For exercise, I always used to wear Wrightsock double layer socks, but all the pairs I've bought the last few years have fallen apart really quickly (mostly worn-through heels).

I bought one pair of socks each from four or five of the top brands that come up on all the "best running socks" lists and wore them each a few times.

For comfort, Balega won by a wide margin and that's what I am using now. I haven't been wearing them long enough to find out about durability yet.

I like the Smartwool Medium weight crew. Worn from -20 winters to 100* + Iraqi summers.

I never liked wearing two pair of socks, liner and outer, and I'm not a fan of the Wrightsock that are two in one for running. Again, I like a Smartwool PhD sock for that. Though now my preference is the Darn Tough.

The thin running socks just feel clammy to me, I like a thicker sock for wicking and cushion.

Wigwam merinos for everyday wear.

Back when I was running (major ankle injury has ended that endeavor), the Balegas were great, but I also did well with the Costco no-shows.

I also like darn tough socks. Kuiu makes a good sock as well.

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
I'm not a good source. I bought some fisherman knit socks 50 years ago and still haven't worn them out. They stopped making them because they wore so well.

flashguy

instead of just tying the socks around your ankles, you could try slipping them onto your feet. That's how they wear out.

https://www.thorlo.com/

They are not open today ,
but I'd say wait a few days .
they usually have a "buy three ,get one free" , special in the fall season ,

If I can get to the computer , tomorrow , I will give them a call and find out .

proper care is essential for Thor Lo's comfort and longevity.

always wash them inside out and always with a fabric softener .

Medium weight hikers made of merino wool. Any brand will be better than anything you've been wearing most of your life. The more nylon the longer they'll wear the more wool the better they'll feel.

I like REI for value, I have some Danners I'm beginning to feel like can not be worn out. I have Columbia that may well outlast the Danner but are a weird fit for me. My Smartwool are the most comfortable while being least durable. Just started wearing some Darn Tough that seem to be pretty good.

I wear work boots daily and wear out boots every year. Redwing, Danner, Soloman, you name it. I have less trouble with socks than boots.
Pay the man, let your feet enjoy Merino wool.

Ever since the boating accident, my ankle swells up if I'm on it too long. I found Schmidt Workwear socks at TSC. They're over the calf and have great support and compression around the dorsi/pedal and ankle area of the foot. three pair for 10 dollars.

With my six-days-a-week shoes, I've been wearing Wigwam socks. Long-lasting, and USA-made.

Go wih merino wool socks. Darn Tough is excellent. Ive also had great luck with “People Socks” off Amazon in wool also.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
With my six-days-a-week shoes, I've been wearing Wigwam socks. Long-lasting, and USA-made.

Good brand.

quote:

Originally posted by hudr:
Darn Tough. At least 60% wool. Get a couple different “weights” for different seasons.
Yes they are expensive. I believe they are worth it.

And they have a lifetime guarantee! I love mine.

Spke with the nice lady at ThorLo Socks , this a.m.

This years special starts Nov 19th,
they are taking 25% off the price of their socks.