Do socks wear out q...
 

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Do socks wear out quicker as you get older?

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Not just socks though, pants as well. 
Either cotton pants and socks are rubbish nowadays or my feet and balls get more abrasive as I age. 

Does anyone else wear though socks in a matter of weeks?

next thread, what underwear for sandpaper undertackle…


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 9:58 am
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Soon be Christmas, all your sock problems will be resolved.


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 10:22 am
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Not really, I've started buying nicer underwear as I've got older - no more SportsDirect multipacks etc. 

Decent bits are not cheap, but I often grab my gear on sale.

I should add, I rarely wear cotton nowadays though. Mostly gone to technical fabrics and Merino - ball soup is a thing of the past for me 😉 (I suspect that sweat helps break down the fibres quicker)


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 10:45 am
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There was a period where cotton stuff across the board was pretty poor. The vast majority (more than 90% I think)  of socks are made in the same city in china (that doesn't mean all socks are the same, or of the same quality but all the manufacturers are in the same place and subject to the same market conditions and supply issues). I think for a period cotton harvests were quite poor and manufacturing was also being disrupted by covid measures still and quality dropped across the board (or some brands seemed to just pause production becuase they couldn't hit a quality/price point).

I've been buying the same Pringle socks for ages becuase the just last really well (and life's to short for trying to pair up socks or hunt for lost ones so I buy a whole batch the same every few years) When I wanted to replace them all recently they were just unobtainable - looking into other brands I'd had luck with in the past buyer reviews were all about sudden drop in quality.

Off the back of a recommendation on a similar thread on here from a forumite who is high up in 'big sock' I got some Blue Guard socks which seem to be pretty invincible (and come with a 'lifetime guarantee' - although lifetime of who or what I'm not sure) , although with the trade off of being a bit unshapely and baggy, prob too warm for most people in summer and remarkably slow drying when laundered - so maybe not suitable for most, fine for me with work boots though - worn with shoes they're quite baggy round the ankles

We now seem to be getting back to a point where a given brand of sock should be as good as it was 5-6 years ago again though - the Pringles I usually buy seem to have re-appeared and seem to be of the same quality 


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 10:45 am
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I can hole a pair of socks after maybe worn two or three times maybe due to work boots but well trimmed nails

My go to socks are from Decathlon they fit great, me having a size 11 feet and last for ages

M&S great pants but socks get a full refund after a week


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 10:49 am
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Yes.  That’s mainly because I now wear socks (and underwear).  Years ago I hardly bothered with socks (or underwear)…  


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 11:14 am
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As I have aged my toenails seem to have gotten harder and it is normally holes around the big toe area that kill my socks.

I tend to wear Caterpillar brand "working" socks which are available from the likes of Go Outdoors and normally get around three years out of them.

Pant quality seems variable. Normally buy from M&S and get around five years wear out of them but had a couple of packs that did not make the year mark - maybe the cotton quality thing mentioned above.


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 11:41 am
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M&S pants used to be decent and are now a bit pants - SAXX are the pants of champions but they’re not cheap 

my sock drawer is due a refresh so I’ll check out Pringle 


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 11:53 am
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Your perception of time is completely different. Thinks to self 'I only bloody bought underwear a few months ago', checks receipt, oh that was 4 years ago, I see. 


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 12:17 pm
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Dad wore wellies for work , used to swear by HJ Indestructible socks , guess they won't be now even if they are still available?


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 12:37 pm
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Yes. And don't get me started on loo seats which don't last 5 minutes 


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 12:58 pm
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•••••••
As it’s Christmas, there’s still time to ask for

Socks with a UK lifetime warranty
•••••••

IMG_6047.jpeg


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 2:56 pm
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Posted by: gowerboy

Years ago I hardly bothered with socks (or underwear)…  

There’s a chap with great confidence in his wiping. 


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 3:12 pm
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if you get younger, they turn into sheep, so make your mind up

And dont forget 5 years was 50% of your time on earth when you were 10. now its more like 10% (for me anyway)

But yes, I dont remember putting my toe through the socks or wearing out the soles many years ago.

Which is probably why im wearing my very thick wool winter socks from the 90s now


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 3:47 pm
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M&S Autobiography cotton boxers are shite for durability but the fit is good on M&S stuff so I’ve started buying their Autobiography microskin range which seem to be a lot more robust. 


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 5:21 pm
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Always buy and wear Darn Tough socks - absolute no quibble guarantee if you put a hole in them. They will just replace them straight out.


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 6:50 pm
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M&S are overpriced rubbish, not worth the expense any more 


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 7:35 pm
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Posted by: alric

if you get younger, they turn into sheep, so make your mind up

Farming sheep for cotton was banned years ago by the woke lefty vegan greenies.

Merino is too hot for me, can only get on with tencel type materials for undies, but had some good Braintree hemp socks that last. I can’t stand thick socks though so those work boots socks are no good.


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 8:58 pm
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+2 for Darn Tough, I'm not been able to test the warranty yet, but have plenty of holed socks from other brands.


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 9:11 pm
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I like socks with monsters on them. 


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 9:36 pm
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As you get older, my tip is to go to a chiropodist every 6 weeks.  They will put a Dremel over your horn-like toenails and give them a good trim to keep your socks intact and give you a feeling of walking on air.

Fortunately we have one in Stafford whose premises look like the waiting room from All Creatures Great and Small from the 1940s and who's bill is about the same. When I asked how to deal with a manky fungal toenail she said never mind the expensive creams that don't work or the prescription remedies that cause heart failure, just smear a bit of Vicks Vapourub on a few times a week.  And you know what?  After about 6 months it works!


 
Posted : 21/12/2025 11:04 pm
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My sarcastic tone has certainly become more 60 grit than 120 as I’ve aged, yet my toes and backside seem as they always have. However, just today I remarked to Mrs Cfsb that I need new socks n pants, yet I’m certain those were new a few weeks back.


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 12:23 am
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Posted by: franksinatra

Does anyone else wear though socks in a matter of weeks?

Nope. I have M&S cotton rich sports socks that I’ve worn for years, occasionally one will wear a bit thin on the heel, so I’ll bin it and keep the other to match up with one from another pair when one wears out. I always buy 5-packs of black ones, although occasionally I’ll buy some of their thicker winter socks. I think some pairs may be over fifteen years old! I wear a pair once then they go in the wash, I’ve got enough pairs to go a month without needing to wash any.

I don’t wear through pants in a matter of weeks either.


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 2:10 am
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Seems that way. I think the comments on time perception are correct. And if you are a bit heavier older than you were younger that will also have an effect - more mass, more friction. See also ‘my shoes wear out faster than they used to’. 

Edit. over this year a selection of Stance socks I bought ‘recently’ in a big sock splurge started to fail - toe holes, thin or holey heels. IRL they were all getting on for 3 years old rather than the imaginary 1 year I had thought. 

Darn Tough have some fun mid weight sock patterns. Is there still a Bridgedale STW subscriber discount? 


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 6:42 am
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Pants...I'm needing new ones and my m&s supply are more expensive now and I'm finding I'm sweating a lot more.

What should I be looking for? Boxers don't work as everything either bunches up or offers zero support and bits hang out, so definitely pants...but what kind of material to help reduce the sweat?

I seem to do fine with socks other than rub the heels away.


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 8:23 am
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I seem to wear out the heel on my right socks. But not my left.

I recently purchased Stance socks, as they claim to be more hardy, but I have still managed to wear them out (right heel). They used to do an 'infiniknit' thing, where if they wore out, you would get free replacements, but i think they have moved away from that, as i reckon its not a sustainable business model!


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 8:36 am
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Posted by: BigJohn

As you get older, my tip is to go to a chiropodist every 6 weeks.  They will put a Dremel over your horn-like toenails.

I asked how to deal with a manky fungal toenail

Imagine having to do that all day, every day for a living!  Dealing with a steady procession of shuffling, hobbling creatures who present you with their manky, mouldy, stinking trotters. No offence @BigJohn 😜 

You probably have to do a few millennia as a chiropodist in the first circle of hell.

 


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 8:53 am
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Posted by: blokeuptheroad

Posted by: BigJohn

As you get older, my tip is to go to a chiropodist every 6 weeks.  They will put a Dremel over your horn-like toenails.

I asked how to deal with a manky fungal toenail

Imagine having to do that all day, every day for a living!  Dealing with a steady procession of shuffling, hobbling creatures who present you with their manky, mouldy, stinking trotters. No offence @BigJohn 😜 

You probably have to do a few millennia as a chiropodist in the first circle of hell.

 

 

The entire podiatrist profession are infected by fungal toenail dust, it is the only explanation.

  https://www.theguardian.com/science/2010/aug/18/zombie-carpenter-ant-fungus?CMP=share_btn_url

 


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 9:52 am
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Posted by: v7fmp

I seem to wear out the heel on my right socks. But not my left.

 

Do you maybe have some sort of small bone spur or lump on your right heel? It doesn't have to be much to create localised pressure and increase wear in that area or something that means it lifts slightly. I have something similar, but minor going on with my right heel, but the wear tends to be on shoe linings rather than socks.

Also, I'm impressed that you have 'right' and 'left' socks and can tell the difference. I have a few sport-specific socks that are 'handed' - footed? - this way, but day to day socks are just randomly assigned to each side.

TLDR: who has 'right and 'left' socks?


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 9:59 am
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Me...but only because the wee image needs to sit on the outside.


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 10:28 am
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Posted by: BadlyWiredDog

Posted by: v7fmp

I seem to wear out the heel on my right socks. But not my left.

 

Do you maybe have some sort of small bone spur or lump on your right heel? It doesn't have to be much to create localised pressure and increase wear in that area or something that means it lifts slightly. I have something similar, but minor going on with my right heel, but the wear tends to be on shoe linings rather than socks.

Also, I'm impressed that you have 'right' and 'left' socks and can tell the difference. I have a few sport-specific socks that are 'handed' - footed? - this way, but day to day socks are just randomly assigned to each side.

TLDR: who has 'right and 'left' socks?

 

yup, back of my right shoe also wears out quicker than the left, so definitely something wonky with my feet!

And yeah, Stance socks are handed. Generally the little circle logo lives on the inside of the ankle. wild times!

 


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 10:43 am
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Posted by: v7fmp

And yeah, Stance socks are handed. Generally the little circle logo lives on the inside of the ankle. wild times!

I'd get a different brand of socks and mix it up - with the wear evened up, you'll soon forget that it ever happened, plus your socks will last longer 🙂 


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 1:54 pm
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Another vote for Darn Tough. They're gold standard.  Alot of branded stuff thesedays is terrible. Clearly outsourcing issues.   


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 6:46 pm
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Posted by: maccruiskeen

Blue Guard socks which seem to be pretty invincible (and come with a 'lifetime guarantee' - although lifetime of who or what I'm not sure) , although with the trade off of being a bit unshapely and baggy, prob too warm for most people in summer and remarkably slow drying when laundered

I bought 2 pairs and they're comfortably outlasting all other branded standard multi packs. I find them a good thickness and fit, can't say I've noticed them being slow to dry though!


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 9:06 pm
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......more quickly.......

 

Sorry


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 9:10 pm
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TLDR: who has 'right and 'left' socks?

 

Errr all of mine - whatever 2 socks come to hand, the one closest to red goes on the left and the one closest to green on the right. Everyone does this right? 

right? 


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 10:50 pm
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Posted by: petrieboy

Everyone does this right? 

right? 

 

 


 
Posted : 22/12/2025 11:17 pm