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Keep those toes blister-free and the planet cool with these sustainable sock brands that use recycled, natural, and bio-based materials.
According to the internet, or at least, Gen-Z’s corner of it, ankle socks are like skinny jeans, as in they are so o-u-t. The crew sock may be in for the younger set, but millennials and Gen X are standing by their ankle sock choices, even if that means they’re even more uncool than ever. But the only real cool factor is what your socks are doing for the planet. Lessen your environmental footprint with every step in sustainably made socks.
Sustainably made socks may be made from plant-based materials, including cotton, bamboo, or Tencel. Manufacturers are also finding ways to use yarn that comes from upcycled plastic bottles and recycled nylon. These materials aren’t biodegradable like cotton, but they help to keep synthetic materials out of the wastestream. In some cases, these materials can be repeatedly recycled at the end of life, too.
Opting for sustainable essentials when shopping — from your underwear down to your socks — is an easy swap when thinking about reducing your personal environmental footprint. Of course, that’s not to say that you should go and throw away all of your old socks in favor of new, more eco-friendly pairs. Crew or ankle — old socks are all the same in the end, especially if you give them a life, long after they’re past their wear.
The number of old socks discarded every year may seem meager compared to other garments. (About 11,300 tons of socks made their way to landfills in 2020 compared to more than 11 million tons of textile waste.) But when they do reach their expiration date — mismatched, stretched out, holey, and all — make sure you discard them sustainably. Quite a few textile recycling programs, such as the Council for Textile Recycling, Nice Laundry, and Terracycle, will give your old socks a new lease on life. You can also repurpose old pairs, using them as cleaning rags or dog toys.
Sustainable sock brands to shop
Ready to put your best — and most sustainable — foot forward? Shop these eco-friendly sock brands.
Conscious Step
For socks that are ethically and sustainably made, shop Conscious Step. The company’s Fair Trade socks feature eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester. Plus, every pair supports a good cause, from socks that save dogs and socks that protect oceans to socks that promote reforestation. For every box sold of “socks that plant trees,” 12 trees are planted through Conscious Step’s partnership with the Maryland-based nonprofit Trees for the Future.
Happy Socks
Known for its eclectic and colorful socks, this Swedish retailer is ramping up its sustainability efforts. By 2030, the brand aims to use only recycled and sustainably sourced materials. The company’s sustainable styles feature materials like Tencel and organic cotton. Cat socks, panda socks, mountain gorilla socks—you name it, and Happy Socks has probably got it.
Thought
Creating sustainable apparel since 1995, this company creates comfy socks using bamboo, organic cotton, and recycled polyester. Snag a pair of frilly Ariella Bamboo Ankle Socks or a pair of knee-high recycled nylon socks.
Boody
This company’s sustainable essentials are made from naturally grown bamboo. Available in ten signature styles—from crew boot socks and chunky bed socks to everyday ankle socks and sports socks—give your sock drawer an eco-friendly makeover courtesy of Boody.
Mate the Label
Mate the Label is a Los Angeles–based clothing brand known for its minimalist, timeless designs made entirely from non-toxic, organic, and ethically sourced materials. Each piece — from relaxed tees to cozy sweats — is produced in small batches within a ten-mile radius of its downtown LA headquarters, ensuring transparency and fair labor. The brand’s clean production practices and commitment to circularity make it a leader in sustainable essentials that are as comfortable as they are conscientious.
Pact
Pact creates everyday essentials, including its fan-favorite socks, with sustainability and comfort at the core. Made from Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)–certified organic cotton and manufactured in Fair Trade–certified factories, the brand’s socks are soft, breathable, and designed to last. With minimalist designs and eco-friendly packaging, Pact proves that basics can be both practical and planet-conscious, offering an easy way to make a positive impact from the ground up.
What about wool socks?
While wool has been a preferred sock fiber for centuries, there are reasons to reconsider using it. Wool is an animal product, and some people choose not to use animal products due to concerns about the treatment of animals in the wool industry. These concerns may include the welfare of sheep and the practices used in shearing. There are also environmental concerns; while wool is a natural and biodegradable material, sheep have significant environmental impacts, such as land degradation and methane emissions. Methane is a greenhouse gas that traps more heat than carbon in the short term, accelerating global warming.
There are other reasons to avoid wool, too, as some people are allergic or sensitive to wool. Wearing wool socks can cause itching, redness, or other skin irritations. Wool socks also typically require more careful washing and drying than socks made from other materials. They may need to be hand-washed or washed on a gentle cycle and air-dried to prevent shrinking and maintain their shape and quality, while other fibers typically don’t require such care.
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