Socks
Socks. Everyone wears them, but nobody seems to care about the quality. Most people cheap out on socks, and it is typical for consumers to buy multiple packs of them each year. Why must we buy so many socks? People complain about the evil machine that is capitalism, yet they spend hundreds of dollars on socks that won't last long. How can someone argue that socialism is a superior economic system when they spend so much on socks? Can we really trust our country with people that overspend on stockings? The answer is no, and here's why:
Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to clothes. Cheap purchases are easier on your wallet in the short run; however, the costs add up over time. A $10 shirt that lasts you six months is not as economically efficient as a $50 shirt that lasts you three years. By purchasing a higher quality shirt, you save 20% over the course of its lifetime.
This same principle applies to socks. Now I'm not saying that you should buy these $1188 vicuña socks from Falke, but I am saying that you should spend $1 more per sock for higher quality and greater economic efficiency.
Take these Gold Toe athletic socks, for example. For $12.60, you get three pairs of socks that are 78% cotton, 19% nylon, 2% spandex, and 1% polyester. The high cotton-to-polyester ratio makes these socks breathable. You don't need to worry about sweaty feet, because these socks allow for heat to diffuse from your feet to the surrounding environment, keeping them dry and odorless. The nylon and spandex gives the socks great elasticity, allowing them to fit a large range of shoe sizes. These socks make the perfect gift for a child with growing feet. These socks have the potential to last someone from elementary school until the end of high school.
These Hanes socks, on the other hand, are an awful purchase. For $2.60 less, you can buy yourself ten pairs of socks that will ruin your feet. With their 16% polyester and 3% rubber content, these socks are sure to trap the heat in, causing a swamp to form in your shoes. They are also less elastic, resulting in a slightly smaller range of sizes. These are socks that are viable for winter wear, but they will be obsolete during the rest of the year due to their lack of breath-ability.
The difference in quality between these two socks is insane. The Gold Toe socks come out to $2.10 per sock vs the $1 per Hanes sock, yet the pros greatly outnumber this con. Compared to the Hanes socks, they seem to last a lifetime. The Hanes socks can be worn for three months out of the year, whereas the Gold Toe socks can be worn year-round. They offer breath-ability and comfort, while the Hanes socks offer moistness and general unpleasantness.
The evidence is clear; quality is much more important than quantity when it comes to socks. Why buy cheap socks once per year when you can buy reasonably-priced, high quality socks that will last for multiple years? The right choice is clear. Next time you go socks shopping, make sure to make the right choice. Over the span of your lifetime, you can save thousands of dollars and increase your quality of life by making this simple switch.
Take these Gold Toe athletic socks, for example. For $12.60, you get three pairs of socks that are 78% cotton, 19% nylon, 2% spandex, and 1% polyester. The high cotton-to-polyester ratio makes these socks breathable. You don't need to worry about sweaty feet, because these socks allow for heat to diffuse from your feet to the surrounding environment, keeping them dry and odorless. The nylon and spandex gives the socks great elasticity, allowing them to fit a large range of shoe sizes. These socks make the perfect gift for a child with growing feet. These socks have the potential to last someone from elementary school until the end of high school.
These Hanes socks, on the other hand, are an awful purchase. For $2.60 less, you can buy yourself ten pairs of socks that will ruin your feet. With their 16% polyester and 3% rubber content, these socks are sure to trap the heat in, causing a swamp to form in your shoes. They are also less elastic, resulting in a slightly smaller range of sizes. These are socks that are viable for winter wear, but they will be obsolete during the rest of the year due to their lack of breath-ability.
The difference in quality between these two socks is insane. The Gold Toe socks come out to $2.10 per sock vs the $1 per Hanes sock, yet the pros greatly outnumber this con. Compared to the Hanes socks, they seem to last a lifetime. The Hanes socks can be worn for three months out of the year, whereas the Gold Toe socks can be worn year-round. They offer breath-ability and comfort, while the Hanes socks offer moistness and general unpleasantness.
The evidence is clear; quality is much more important than quantity when it comes to socks. Why buy cheap socks once per year when you can buy reasonably-priced, high quality socks that will last for multiple years? The right choice is clear. Next time you go socks shopping, make sure to make the right choice. Over the span of your lifetime, you can save thousands of dollars and increase your quality of life by making this simple switch.
Since last spring, I too have been very meticulous about the quality of my socks. It first started out during track, when I realized that having nice, thin and breathable socks greatly increased the comfort of my feet while sprinting. Not to mention, these socks have not gone down in quality as the season progressed; they always were as good as new. Over the summer, I figured that having more comfortable feet would improve my walking experience, so I bought a few pairs of nicer socks. Needless to say, they are still in pristine condition and make my feet feel wonderful. I have lived my entire life imprisoning my feet in cheap socks and it took me about 18 years to figure out that I have been doing it wrong the whole time. If I could go back in time to give myself just one tip of advice about life, I would probably give 6 year-old me a stern lecture about enslaving my feet in those foot prisons.
ReplyDeleteI typically buy Puma brand socks, and with Puma socks, you get quality AND quantity for an affordable price. They are comfortable, and more importantly, very durable. I would recommend them. You can get a six pack at Kohl's or Marshall's for around ten dollars and they will last.
ReplyDeleteAs the ponds are due to freeze over in a couple months, socks become very important. Last thing you want is bad socks that will leave your ankles exposed to the insides of the skates. Once again it proves to get a dedicated pair of skating socks instead of being cheap and getting some that won't be comfortable and pall apart.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting and informative blog post. I can honestly say that I have never thought deeply about socks before. I am someone who does typically buy the cheapest socks and I don't even know what brand I have because I really have never cared about my socks before. However, I will take your advice about spending a little more for a higher quality. I have found this advice very useful on different products, especially earbuds and phone cords. Spending a few extra dollars can be the difference between these lasting a month and a year.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dan, I never really pay much attention to the quality of socks that I buy, but I certainly will now! I guess I've always assumed that all socks are generally the same, give or take, atleast for just everyday athletic socks. I never really paid attention to the type of sock that I bought. Ski socks however are a completely different story. One quality pair of ski socks can make a day of skiing SO much more enjoyable. Since I ski most days on the winter weekends for 6-7 hours, staying warm is the top priority, and having a perfect pair of socks completely changes the game. Perhaps I should think about applying this same idea to any types of socks I may buy.
ReplyDelete