Buying socks online

Short answer: Socks are the easiest thing to buy online, because a size covers a range rather than a single number. On the other hand, there is a big difference in how long they last, and it is worth knowing what to look for.

The size covers a range

A sock size typically covers two to three shoe sizes. That is why it is rarely hard to get right, even without trying them on. Find your shoe size and choose the sock size it falls within. If you are between two, choose based on whether you want the sock to sit close or a little looser, see bamboo socks.

If you are on the border

If your shoe size is at the top of a range, the larger sock size may feel better. The sock should not pull the heel down under your foot or feel tight over the toes. If you are at the bottom of a range, the smaller size gives a closer fit. Try one pair before ordering many.

Look for reinforcement at heel and toe

That is where socks wear through first. At the heel and the big toe, pressure and friction are greatest every single day. A reinforced heel and toe can give a sock a longer life. Read the product description and see if it says anything about these areas, see bamboo socks for men.

Check the length of the leg

Socks come in different lengths, from ankle socks to ones that reach over the calf. Think about what shoes you wear and what you wear on top. Short socks often suit trainers best, while a longer leg can be nice in boots and in winter. Choose the length for how you will use them.

Buy matching pairs

Matching pairs mean that a lost sock does not cost a whole pair. If you have many pairs in the same colour and style, every sock can be paired up again after washing. There is never a single sock left over, and sorting is faster, see bamboo socks for men and women.

Wash them properly

Follow the care label and turn the socks inside out before washing. That protects the outside, and dirt from the inside comes out more easily. Avoid high heat in the tumble dryer if the label advises against it. Socks that are cared for keep their shape for longer, and the elastic holds up better.

Replace them in time

A sock with thin fabric at the heel is on its way to a hole. Check your socks when you fold them after washing and take out the ones that are wearing thin. That way you do not discover the hole in the middle of the day. With matching pairs, you only need to replace the worn socks.

Have enough for a whole week

A good starting point is having enough socks to get from one wash day to the next. If you run out of clean pairs before washing again, you have too few. The pairs you have also wear out faster, because they are worn and washed more often. A little extra in the drawer spreads the wear.

Frequently asked questions

How do you choose a sock size

By shoe size. Each sock size typically covers two to three sizes, so it is rarely hard to get right, even when buying socks online.

Where do socks wear through first

At the big toe and the heel. That is where pressure and friction are greatest every day, so it is worth looking for reinforcement there.

Why buy several matching pairs

Because a single lost sock then does not make the rest useless. All pairs can be matched up again, and sorting after washing is much faster.