Forum menu
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.