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4 min readSHOPPING FOR SOCKS doesn’t give me as much of a rush as, say, buying a new suit, but it’s a non-negotiable. After all, I wear them (almost) every day. I get a lot of use out of mine, and they’ve seen better days. And I asked myself — do I really want to wear my brand new loafers with a pair of worn socks? I didn’t think so.
I test a lot of shoes here at Men’s Health, and I couldn’t justify doing it in worn crew socks. I want to make sure I give everything a fair shake, and comfort plays a large role in that. I had to start fresh. I’m also a big boot guy and own plenty of thick socks that can get some use during the beginning of spring, but are too hot to wear in warmer weather. A good crew sock, though, goes a long way. They’re thick enough to wear with dressier shoes and light enough to throw on with a pair of sneakers.
I’ve bought most of my socks at Costco, and they’re fine. But given my job literally keeps me on my feet, they deserve an upgrade. Enter Mack Weldon, one of our favorite menswear brands. The New York City label specializes in nicer-than-drugstore underwear, T-Shirts, and basics. The brand’s Oxford shirt is one of my go-tos, and its lightweight winter jacket keeps me stylishly toasty during shoulder seasons. Mack Weldon’s Everyday Extended Crew came highly recommended by our style editor, so I decided to give them a spin.
First Impressions
Pros
- Comfy cushioned footbed
- Can be worn as a casual crew sock or dress sock
- Breathable and odor-fighting
Cons
- Might go too high up the leg for some
For me, the two biggest non-negotiables for a good sock are to be comfortable enough to wear all day and breathable enough so that I don’t come home with a sweaty foot. The latter is especially important since I work out regularly and clock at least 10k steps a day commuting in New York City.
I went with the grey heather colorway. This way, I’d have a sock I can wear with sneakers, shoes, and boots. I grabbed a single pair, but they come in three and five-packs if you want to bundle and save a few bucks. I thought $16 was a little pricey for a single pair of socks, but I’ve also seen much worse. Like these $230 Gucci socks, case in point.
The Everyday crew socks felt like a slightly thicker pair of dress socks right out of the packaging. They’re thinner than even some of my ankle cut socks, which is exactly what I was looking for in a versatile spring/summer option. The Pumas I typically stock up on at Costco are durable enough, but they’re a little bulkier for spring weather. Mack Weldon’s cozy cotton blend (85% Combed Cotton, 10% Spandex, 4% Nylon, and 1% Elastic) eliminates this problem. It combines comfort in a lighter, similarly hardwearing sock.
I first put the socks on during a colder morning, and I immediately noticed a difference. My frigid hardwood floor didn’t give me my feet their usual early morning wake-up call. I also noticed a marked difference in comfort and quality compared to some of the generic crew socks I’ve worn over the years. They feature a cushioned footbed that made me feel as though I was walking on an additional, extra-thin midsole.
The one thing I wasn’t a huge fan of—the length. I’m about 5’10,” and they went almost to my knee when fully fleshed out. This really wasn’t an issue since I like to roll my socks down either way. I guess they call them “extended” crew socks for a reason.
It also has a “stay-put cuff” that effectively keeps your foot in place and the socks from sliding. This still works with my socks rolled down.
The biggest selling point for me was the socks’ silver fibers that fight odor. I wore them for a full day of errands, a few hours at the mall, and (accidentally) to the gym. While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them for the latter, I can confidently say my feet did not smell at the end of a long day. A very rare “feat.”
Final Thoughts
I’m not normally impressed by a sock, but the Mack Weldon Everyday Extended Crew Socks are an exception. While I wore them with jeans, sneakers, and a button-down, they’d work just as well with a blazer and chinos. The grey heather colorway, specifically, made this especially possible. And for whatever reason, the royal blue toe and heel accentuations just seem to work. The unique style patterns aren’t cheesy like your typical argyle patterns, and the simple design detail makes them easy to pick out of my drawer for special occasions. My only regret is not buying the five-pack.
Shop the Mack Weldon Everyday Extended Crew Sock
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Tim Kohut is the Deals and Trends Editor for Popular Mechanics, Men’s Health, Best Products, and Runner's World. He has extensive product review and gear coverage expertise, particularly in tech, home, auto, and health. Tim was previously the Deputy Commerce Editor of The Drive and a Commerce Editor at BGR. He’s also overseen gear coverage and strategy at Popular Science, Bob Vila, Outdoor Life, and Field and Stream. He has a strong affinity for cats, Batman, and early 90’s Nicolas Cage films, in that order.
Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.
