Bamboo Socks - a revelation

TK Maxx sometimes have them in. Other than that online.

Recent convert here. As above TK Maxx do them, usually around £8 for 5 pairs

IME they have a tendency to smell like socks made from manmade material, which I believe is basically what they are.

https://bambooclothing.co.uk/category/mens-classic-socks/

FWIW, I'm not a fan, something about the texture I'm not mad on. Merino for the win.

they have a tendency to smell like socks made from manmade material, which I believe is basically what they are.

Yes, aren't they basically just rayon where the source cellulose is bamboo? AFAIK they don't use any bamboo fibre as such.

I'm pretty sure there have been a few STW reviews involving Bamboo products so worth a search here.

e.g. https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/review-modibodi-maxi-24hour-pants/.

Socks as well 🙂

Rayon rebranded

Every pair is one less meal for a 🐼

Love them. I bulk-buy in TK Maxx every spring. Can't have too many socks!

I got given a big pack of them.

Comfy enough, but not wearing very well.

Yeah last about half the time a decent pair of M and S socks last in my experience.

I abhor bamboo socks becuase they can't be tumbled dried and they are so absorbent they take days  longer to dry on an airer than my merino or synthetic socks.

I abhor bamboo socks becuase they can’t be tumbled dried and they are so absorbent they take days  longer to dry on an airer than my merino or synthetic socks.

And this is why I asked the question, as I imagine like Merino socks, they are all not created equally ie some merino socks only 10% merino etc.

To be fair Ive washed the pair I have as normal and they got tumbled dried, and they are the same as they were

I've had loads and quite like them - had no idea they were essentially Rayon though. Seem no different to merino in that they don't smell bad - certainly not like trad synthetic stuff.

You’re going to love marino socks when you try them.

I like bamboo gruds for cycling.
https://www.tiso.com/apbyy8ti0200/bawbags-m-bawler-triple-mens-multi-apbyy8ti0200

You’re going to love marino socks when you try them.

I find they're soft and comfortable and definitely avoid getting whiffy but need to be a blend or they just don't last. They also get damp and hold onto moisture easy more than synthetics.

I've got numerous merino thermals but have shied away from the socks as I've got a pair of wool socks in the drawer that I simply can't wear as they make my feet so sweaty. Are merino that different?

You’re going to love marino socks when you try them.

I have plenty of merino for wearing on the bike in deepest winter, great for getting saturated feet and staying warm. However if I wear them in the summer my feet just get far too hot and sweaty.

These are socks for wearing to work etc.

I've had a few pairs of bamboo socks over the years; invariably brilliant at first but they don't tend to last terribly long - usually around a year before needing to be chucked out.

Are merino that different?

I have plenty of merino for wearing on the bike in deepest winter, great for getting saturated feet and staying warm. However if I wear them in the summer my feet just get far too hot and sweaty.

These are socks for wearing to work etc.

Merino socks don't have to be thick winter socks. I wear these as 'normal socks' all through summer, they're great:

https://www.marksandspencer.com/3-pack-merino-wool-rich-socks/p/clp60167434?prevPage=srp#intid=plpnav_pid_pg1pip3g4r1c2

FWIW, these are my winter socks, and they are the absolute bollocks

https://corrymoor.com/16-socks

Haha! been wearing bamboo socks (and boxers!) from Bam for yonks. Never really thought it was something to announce to the world (until now) 😂

https://www.marksandspencer.com/3-pack-merino-wool-rich-socks/p/clp60167434?prevPage=srp#intid=plpnav_pid_pg1pip3g4r1c2
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Its them type of ones I use on the bike either running in snow/ice etc or on the bike. Which are plenty warm enough for me. If I wear them in shoes my feet want to explode.

I just normally have cotton M&S socks but they still get sweaty. Bamboo working far better so far, will be interesting to see how long they last.

 

ive been wearing alpkit ones for the last few years superb

I also am a wearer of bamboo only undercrackers and socks for a good few years now although didn’t realise that it was necessary to evangelise. Durability is not great but when you can get about 5 pairs for less than a tenner in TKMaxx it’s not really an issue - socks last for a couple of years usually but haven’t worn out any boxers yet…

They are a Matalan staple rather than a TKMaxx lucky find

Socks are my life. I’ve worked for a sock company for over 20 years. If you want comfort look for diabetic socks😉

in my experience many of the claims about wicking. Thermal properties. Merino etc etc are often incorrect. Keeps you cool when hot and warm when cold, wicks this, breathes that.😒

Over the years We’ve spent thousands with some of the best testing and footwear labs in the UK and results are complicated. Nothings Black and white. And in my experience many brands will claim anything they can. Who’s going to question them? Or indeed prove them wrong? We have tested many famous ‘durable work’ socks. Most are no better than sport socks with a recognised brand on them.

Socks differ massively. if you’ve always bought budget or because they have a particular brand name, you may be in for a nice surprise if you find some well made ones with a little thought regarding the structure and a considered fibre composition.

It’s highly individual too. Some people sweat more, Footwear can either obliterate a particular socks function or enhance it. Some hate certain fibres. Many socks are too tight at the top. Some peoples gait and footwear can make a hole in a week.

You can sell a lot of cheap socks. But long term you can sell much more if you create great socks. because when people discover socks and underwear that feel great for them, they often buy them for life.

Good luck guys😀

Really like stuff from BAM but just discovered bamboo isn’t great 😕 https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/stories/why-dont-you-use/story-19681.html

Give us a hint then Sefton 🧐

Sefton, is there ones you particularly recommend? Any links

my most worn cycling clothing are a pair of crane (aldi) bamboo base layer tops, makes merino feel like a "hair shirt".

@Sefton what socks work well in steel toecaps? I’ve been wearing Sockshop Blueguard Anti-abrasion Durability socks and the first pair lasted about 15 months before wearing through at the big toe, the second pair lasted less than three months but aren’t as hefty as the first pair.

A brand or company that specialises in socks is usually the place to go for quality and expertise. But there are great socks out there on the high street. Some retailers are happy to sell rubbish but others have integrity and genuinely try to source and develop good products. However some good retailers can often change their buying philosophies and start to sell rubbish. Maybe a inexperienced buyer will land on their feet and find a great supplier and thus create some great socks. Or maybe a genuine company shuffles their buying team around and someone inexperienced starts unknowingly buying rubbish.

I believe those socks have a lifetime guarantee!

Like many things, you can’t have everything. Softness often comes at the cost of durability. And durability often comes at the cost of comfort or breathability. Breathability at the cost of warmth.

Ironically shoes have the biggest effect on a pair of socks.

Maybe you already have nice socks but your shoes are killing or limiting their potential

Maybe we should buy shoes to go with our socks😂😂😂

This, again, is absolutely why we just love STW. Our very own, in house, sock expert and professional. All hail @sefton

Yes, aren’t they basically just rayon where the source cellulose is bamboo? AFAIK they don’t use any bamboo fibre as such.

Recently I've read the Patagonia book "Let my people go surfing". He does a section on materials they use and there's good reason why they don't use Bamboo. It's horrific the chemical processing required to extract Rayon from bamboo to produce what most people will think it's a natural fibre.

Along Sefton's lines, the best socks I have are from Bridgeable, a sock company. Think they're a merino mix.

I know those BLUEGUARD sock were tested on a martingale machine and a robotic walking foot machine (I don’t know the exact name for this one)

The martingale test went on for so long it and had to be serviced, recalibrated and retooled at an extra cost. A test that takes days can become very expensive.

The walking foot test. This was pulled after a few days because there was no sign of wear.

I think you’d be hard pushed to find a more durable sock.

Bridgedale make excellent socks. I’m not sure if they have any that are still uk made (possibly) I haven’t looked for a while. Hopefully it’s still a family business. Good luck to them. And even if now made overseas it doesn’t mean the quality is worse. It could well be better.

I have seen some old uk made sock machines in factories in turkey and the Far East. They were sold or taken over there when uk manufacturing went bump. It’s nice to think these old machines can still be making socks.

I’m not totally up on bamboo or bamboo/raylon but I’m vaguely aware that there are different methods of creating or extracting the material to make fibres. Some much worse than others. But I’m no expert.

Merino wool differs massively too. And how it is obtained.

Merino wool from Italy🤌 Beautiful.

Actually the Italians make great socks

I know an Italian made, merino blend diabetic friendly walking sock will be available in a few months. It’s took a year to get right with a amazing factory and experienced uk buying team. It’s about the nicest sock I’ve ever put on my feet

I’d say the quality of socks and other similar items are actually getting better again.

manufacturers and particularly importers have been squeezed and squeezed from the high street for years. And to make something cheaper to hit a price point or huge margin you have to take something out of the product.

Years of this lowered the quality of the majority of textiles until many were almost not recognisable or not fit for purpose.

However, due to the Internet and an change buying culture the high street is now (ironically) the middle man.

Buying direct has allowed that margin to be put back into the actual products and for decent products to have a place/ chance

Generally, Crap product don’t repeat sell online and thus die.

After years of buying direct some retailers are also coming back to importers for their expertise and the brands they had to create to survive. Many retailers now don’t have the resources or finance to buy direct either.

It’s been a while since I last worked a Saturday morning😅

had no idea they were essentially Rayon though

naturally.

Another bamboo fan here (particularly for undercrackers), though I didn't realise they were essentially a man made fibre.

I have a few pairs of Berghaus socks that have lasted ten years, technical hiking socks, mid weight and probably a merino mix. I wear them for everything. Very comfortable and breathable and seemingly indestructable and as a non slipper wearer, most socks last me a year at best.

They also dry really quickly and the elastic hasn't withered in the slightest, (probably because they don't need tumble drying). They are so much better than any other socks I've bought, like ten times better.

For balance I’m a bamboo hated. Doesn’t last, high environmental impact. Bought a few bam products and they just don’t seem to last.

Nothings Black and white.

not after you’ve put them both in the wash together

I’m a bamboo hater. Doesn’t last,

That.

You’re going to love marino socks when you try them.

Made with the wool of a special type of military sheep. Hardwearing I bet.

My understanding is that the chemicals for producing Rayon are nasty, but the closed loop systems can make it far less harmful than it seems at first glance when compare with. I think Howies wrote something on their website.
IANATE

I like the stuff that Bam sell. My favourite base layer is from them, winter weight, very comfy, wicks well.

Socks are great, last as long as any other material IME.

A bit pricey, so just watch for the sales: https://bambooclothing.co.uk/

Like some above, I didn't realise 'bamboo' socks were mostly synthetic.

I prefer the softer feel over cotton, but also as above they wear out fast compared to cotton.

Anyone tried Hemp/cotton blend?

These look interesting...

https://www.wearethought.com/products/hemp-hero-socks-navy/

55% HEMP 40% ORGANIC COTTON 5% ELASTANE

@mattyfez I have a lot of these:
https://www.braintreehempclothing.com.au/product-category/accessories/socks/
Look to be the same % of materials.
They're not at all soft - quite the opposite, although the ones you linked 'look' softer, but I like that.

I got them because the other clothes I had from that brand are basically unkillable. The socks look absolutely nothing like the colours on the web. I have black ones and khaki. They're proving to be unkillable too.

@sefton - please pardon my ignorance but, what makes for a "diabetic friendly walking sock"?

This, again, is absolutely why we just love STW. Our very own, in house, sock expert and professional.

This, again, is absolutely why we just love STW. Not because we have our very own, in house, sock expert and professional, but because it comes as absolutely no surprise to anyone that we have our very own, in house, sock expert and professional. Because of course we do, this is the STW Chat forum. Frankly it'd be more weird if we didn't.

I had that particular little epiphany a few years back when someone was asking about the practicalities of treating his missus to a hot air balloon ride and someone popped up going "well, I'm a balloon pilot and..."

Hi mate. You may know but people with diabetes can really suffer with their feet. It can often result in extreme surgeries.

Damaged nerves can allow a cut or even a blister to go unnoticed and poorer circulation can mean the injury doesn’t heal as quick or at all. Sometimes infection can set in.

Legs, feet and ankles can often be swollen making tight socks very uncomfortable which only makes any circulation issues worse.

So, socks with a hand linked toe seam (basically a really fine if not invisible toe closure) is a god send. Think about really poor socks with a thick seam above the toes. This is obviously uncomfortable but more importantly they can create blisters which can lead to the problems above.

A wide stretchy leg and leg opening (the welt) ideally without elastic. For circulation and of course comfort.

A Cushioned foot if not a full cushion (shoes permitting) this is what we know as terry towelling. This is for comfort but can also be a little cushion / protection (maybe you have a tiny stone in your shoe you can not feel.

Ideally the sock should be white in colour so any blood can be spotted and the injury treated. But not everyone wants white socks.

Anti bacterial treatments can help limit the bacteria which could help keep infection out.

A few shoe sizes as opposed to just one size fits all. This give you a better chance of a good fit to help combat chaffing and blisters

Obviously there is only so much a sock can do and we have to be realistic with what we claim but compared to an average sock a good diabetic sock can really help give some alleviation to the issues and hopefully help keep a few at bay.

I’m no doctor and maybe you could pick apart the above. But the people I work with really care and are committed to keep moving forward and improving our products.

We also work with a few national organisations and attend a few podiatry trade shows /conferences.

We developed a super super wide fitting sock made in the uk for people suffering with oedema. Mate, the letters we receive…people say it’s the first time they’ve worn socks in years

I’d also claim we have made diabetic socks more affordable. Previously, expensive 1 pair packs were the norm.

Anyway, at minimum a diabetic friendly sock must have a hand linked or super fine toe seam and a non restrictive leg /welt

Hope this helps.

Mate, that's brilliant. Thank you for taking the time to write all that.

I have a mate who's diabetic. I know he has some foot issues intermittently but I don't really know the details. He stumbles occasionally like when as a kid your mum would chastise you to "pick your bloody feet up!" Honestly though the reason I asked was my one curiosity, it never occurred to me that special socks might be a thing or how they might help.