Socks are something many of us use regularly and a great way to support sustainable and ethical brands as they aren’t an item most people can (or want to) buy secondhand. Also since they don’t have the same fit issues as clothing they are easier to order online and more affordable at a lower price point than clothes!
Whether you’re looking for fun colours and patterns or classic neutrals, these are some great sustainable sock brands I’ve found – many of which my husband and I own and love. π
(please note: some affiliate links are used in this roundup)
Conscious Step
Organic cotton and fair trade socks that give back – every pair donates $1 to a partnered charity or organization.
My husband and I both own Conscious Step socks and we like the fit and arch support!
-The Breakdown-
Product: men’s and women’s socks, classic and ankle styles in patterns and colourful solids
Great for: everyday wear and personalized gifts
Conscious Highlights: GOTS certified cotton & factories, fair trade certified, vegan brand, gives back
Ordering: based in USA, ships international (but not all countries)
Organic Basics
Classic, neutral socks in a variety of cuts as well as sport socks (which include anti-odor technology). You can also save some $ with their sock packs.
-The Breakdown-
Product: men’s and women’s socks, classic, ankle, no-show and sport styles in neutrals
Great for: everyday wear and sports, affordable packs
Conscious Highlights: sustainable materials, GOTS certified organic cotton, certified factories (check out the various certifications each factory has here)
Ordering: based in Denmark, ships international – they have both an EU site and US site
Friday Sock Co.
A great option if you’re looking for fun patterns and graphics. I love the “mismatched” idea and these also make great, useful gifts.
Their socks are made in Italy from Oeko-Tex certified cotton, and they also recently introduced a recycled cotton collection.
-The Breakdown-
Product: men’s, women’s, children, and baby socks, classic and ankle styles in colourful patterns
Great for: fun graphics, personalized gifts, statement socks
Conscious Highlights: Oeko-Tex certified, some recycled cotton, small-batch production
Ordering: based in Canada, ships international
PACT
Variety of sock styles in neutral colours, made from organic cotton. Their ankle socks are my go-to! They also have sock packs which are a great affordable option.
-The Breakdown-
Product: men’s and women’s socks, classic, ankle, knee and no-show styles in neutrals
Great for: everyday wear, affordable packs
Conscious Highlights: GOTS certified organic cotton, fair trade certified factories
Ordering: based in USA, ships international
Kind Socks
Fun and colourful patterned socks ethically made from organic cotton.
-The Breakdown-
Product: unisex socks, classic/crew style in colourful patterns
Great for: fun and bright statement socks
Conscious Highlights: GOTS certified, gives back
Ordering: based in Sweden, ships international
Maggie’s Organics
Large selection of organic cotton and wool socks in a variety of styles and cuts.
-The Breakdown-
Product: unisex and baby socks, classic, ankle, sport, and dress style in colours, patterns & neutrals
Great for: something for everyone
Conscious Highlights: GOTS certified, made in USA, gives back
Ordering: based in US, ships international
Swedish Stockings
Best known as a sustainable tights/stockings brand, Swedish Stockings also had a selection of fashion-forward sock styles made from their recycled nylon. I have both a pair of open knit and over-the-knee socks and love using them to add some interest to an outfit.
-The Breakdown-
Product: women’s socks
Great for: stylish statement socks
Conscious Highlights: recycled materials, take-back/recycling program
Ordering: based in Sweden, ships international
Boody
Bamboo socks in neutral colours and a variety of classic cuts.
-The Breakdown-
Product: men’s, women’s, and baby socks, classic, ankle, sport, and no-show styles in neutrals
Great for: classic styles in neutral colours
Conscious Highlights: Ecocert certified, Oeko-Tex certified, FSC certified, WRAP certified, vegan brand
Ordering: initially based in Australia but now with many branches internationally
Qnoop
Organic cotton colourful and neutral socks with buttons to keep pairs together in the wash.
-The Breakdown-
Product: men’s, women’s, and kid’s socks, classic style in neutral and colourful patterns and solids
Great for: anyone who is tired of losing socks
Conscious Highlights: GOTS certified
Ordering: based in the Netherlands, ships international
Allbirds
Made from a blend of Tencel, Merino wool, recycled nylon and spandex, available in a selection of cuts and colours.
-The Breakdown-
Product: unisex socks, classic, ankle, no-show, and sport style in a range of colours
Great for: odor and moisture wicking properties
Conscious Highlights: sustainable materials, certified B Corp
Ordering: based in US, ships international, also have a Canadian store
Thought
Huge selection of patterned socks, mostly made from a bamboo & recycled polyester blend but also with organic cotton and hemp options.
-The Breakdown-
Product: men’s and women’s socks, classic and ankle styles in colourful patterns and solids
Great for: fun patterns, statement socks, and gifts
Conscious Highlights: sustainable materials, plastic-free packaging
Ordering: based in UK, ships international
Sustainable Compression Socks?
This question popped up recently in the My Green Closet Facebook Group and I found two brands to share!
Comrad (USA) – A company specializing in compression socks and they have new style made from recycled cotton.
Rockay (Denmark & USA) – A running/athletic brand with a compression option made from recycled nylon and even recycled elastane.
Do you have a favourite sustainable sock brand I missed? Please share them in the comments!
π
Kad
Love crew socks made from sustainable fibers and I have tried some of these brands! We also heard about Bear Fiber (https://bearfiber.com) launching hemp socks made with hemp from the US!
Jessica
I am surprized that you promote brands wich sold whool socks… They are not ethical at all. With “Large selection of organic cotton and wool” you don’t try To discourage people To buy them and don’t spread awareness about this issue. (I am only talking about this post because I appreciate that you condamn animal testing and I appreciate that you promote sustanability). Please people don’t buy whool this is animal exploitation and suffering in this post you can find many cotton socks π. This is just a crtique of this post, also your work is really cool.
Verena Erin
I’ve talked a lot about wool and the sustainable/ethical issues, this video series has the most info: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLab1HN1VQq5MHGbiOTFMPOE7qMkRewpRk
Wool falls in a weird middle ground for me because the fibre is incredibly durable, it can last for ages and has many properties you can’t find in other fibres like cotton. Many sheep also need to be shorn for their health and safety (because they have been bred for centuries to overproduce wool), and it’s one of the few things that can more easily be farmed in a regenerative way. I personally believe there is a way we can use wool in a responsible and symbiotic way and both the brands mentioned who use wool are fairly transparent and have credentials regarding their wool sourcing.
It’s up to everyone to make their own decisions and I want to provide better options in different categories and areas (for example in my bags & purses post I still highlight some leather products even though I personally don’t wear or buy new leather because I still want to give people better options who are seeking out leather)