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Original poster

Are most socks rubbish nowadays?

60 replies

IcyPuddles · 04/12/2025 17:18

Lately, I seem to be having big problems with holes in my socks after only a few times wearing them.

I wear socks from retailers like Marks and Spencer, Next, etc.

Never had this before. Has quality dramatically declined or is there something wrong with my feet?

OP posts:
Suffolker · 05/12/2025 08:49

Absolutely agree, M&S socks are terrible quality these days, and I think they have shaved a few mm off the height at the ankle and they are so short (particularly annoying when wearing ankle boots!).

I’m also sick of spending a fortune on thick/thermal tights which go through on the toes after the first wear. I keep my toenails short and yet still a hole appears really quickly. I don’t think they reinforce the toe as much as they used to. Very annoying 😠

Wherestheteenguide · 05/12/2025 06:43

Yes! Always bought from M&S but they are so thin now. I did have some better ones from sock shop online.

Sesma · 05/12/2025 06:43

I like Seasalt and Fatface socks, I get them in the sale as they are quite expensive

Mh67 · 05/12/2025 06:39

I've never had a hole in sock and I just buy from supermarkets or primark. Some I've had for many years

TheCurious0range · 04/12/2025 19:51

Seasalt bamboo socks, happy socks, joules socks, not too thin and seem to wash and wear well

CrystalSingerFan · 04/12/2025 19:49

EwwSprouts · 04/12/2025 19:43

This ^

Show quote history

This ^ squared. Bamboo is hopeless.

CrystalSingerFan · 04/12/2025 19:48

Thechaseison71 · 04/12/2025 17:18

Try John Lewis. I pick the up at waitrose and find them the best

Yes. This. Black merino wool, packs of (three?) from Waitrose. Machine washable. Excellent.

Nitgel · 04/12/2025 19:44

I like.seaslt.socks.mine have lasted ages

EwwSprouts · 04/12/2025 19:43

ScaryM0nster · 04/12/2025 19:26

Bamboo by any chance? Or bamboo blend?

Traditional proper cotton still seem to do ok. Bamboo wears incredibly fast. Even if it’s nice a silky initially.

This ^

Whyjustwhy83 · 04/12/2025 19:42

I bought white stuff and fat face last Christmas and no holes yet and some from ytc that have been fine too.

Isittimeformynapyet · 04/12/2025 19:42

CatAsstrophe · 04/12/2025 18:23

Another vote for Community Clothing (and not just their socks)

Pairs socks are fabulous - All Socks | Pairs Socks

Thanks! I've finally found a pair of the exact pink socks I've been looking for! So many searches and I've never found this company.

LamonicBibber1 · 04/12/2025 19:38

London Sock Company "active" socks are the BEST. Seamless and they actually fit properly, with a slightly thicker terry cotton sole. I've walked hundreds and hundreds of miles in the first pairs that I've had for three years and they are still perfect. I balked at the price initially; but they are cheaper than replacing other socks 5 times in the same timeframe. They are honestly incredible quality.

Muji and Calvin Klein are also good quality, for a thinner sock.

Tryingatleast · 04/12/2025 19:28

A dressmaker was telling me the material is much lighter now hence the reason people can’t really darn socks any more. To make everything cheaper we made everything more disposable hence the environmental issues

DorisTheFinkasaurus · 04/12/2025 19:27

Yes, to answer your question.
Muji men's ribbed socks are my go to. Best socks ever! They take a beating.
I'm on my feet a lot with the dog and life in general and they are not only tough, but super comfy... and they have nice colours. Not too crazy but nice.

ScaryM0nster · 04/12/2025 19:27

Caerulea · 04/12/2025 18:28

You're not wrong. Depending on what kind of thing you like I'd recommend Stance socks, they are kinda engineered & seem to last extremely well (which is a good job cos they are bloody expensive!).

You need the SportsPursuit website in your life if you’re a stance fan and not fussy on colours.

ScaryM0nster · 04/12/2025 19:26

Bamboo by any chance? Or bamboo blend?

Traditional proper cotton still seem to do ok. Bamboo wears incredibly fast. Even if it’s nice a silky initially.

Swiftie1878 · 04/12/2025 19:26

MsAlignment · 04/12/2025 17:22

Try these:

https://communityclothing.co.uk/collections/unisex-socks

Wow! They are ugly socks!! 😂😂

Horrorscope · 04/12/2025 19:25

Yep, I’ve also had this problem. I bought a multi-pack of black socks from Asda earlier this year and the toes of about half developed a hole pretty much straightaway.

Just bought a nice thick pair from Peacocks. Same thing happened. A hole near the toe when I put the first one on. Returned to a fairly stroppy shop assistant. (How about apologising for your crap stuff rather than giving me the arsey treatment?)

But I think this is how most things are going because I’ve noticed a big deterioration in the quality of food and other stuff, generally.

verybighouseinthecountry · 04/12/2025 19:14

I was thinking to start a similar thread. Mine have holes now after a few wears.

Xmasmusings · 04/12/2025 19:13

The same thing happens to me. I've resigned myself to buying new socks every six months or so. I'm also buying M&S, Waitrose, type socks.

I did remind myself that when I was a child I would go through them regularly because I grew out of them. But socks genuinely did used to last longer in the early years of my adulthood, I'm sure of it!

SuperGinger · 04/12/2025 19:05

Falke are the business, I like Pairs too but Falke are my favourite, also I bought some great wool socks in sports direct of all places

SuperGinger · 04/12/2025 19:05

Falke are the business, I like Pairs too but Falke are my favourite, also I bought some great wool socks in sports direct of all places

Achewyhamster · 04/12/2025 18:49

My mil bought me some socks for Christmas last year

I wore one pair once and when I took my boots off,there was a massive hole in the heel

I thought it may have been the boots so wore the second pair around the house for a day

Massive hole appeared in the toes

I've asked her not to buy me any more from next (or m&s which is where i bought some from and they lasted two wears)

All I want is black socks that dont fall to bits! (Sainsbury's seem to last)

Catwalking · 04/12/2025 18:40

I agree I had some from W’rose/JLewis (whatever they wanna call themselves) in the summer. Considering how hot it was, so not necessairly wearing 24/7 obvs., but I cannot believe how quickly I’ve got thro them!

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