Do These Popular Socks Live Up to The Hype?
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Even if you're not a sock snob, you have to admit, the right pair of socks can make or break your day. By now, you've likely heard of Bombas, one of Shark Tank's most successful companies that began with a game-changing design to elevate one of the most essential clothing accessories — socks — and a promise to donate a pair to those in need for every pair sold. According to the brand, Bombas has donated over 75 million items including socks, T-shirts and underwear since its launch in 2013.
But how do Bombas socks compare to other popular sock brands? I'm a materials scientist at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, and I've tested over 90 styles of socks in the past year alone, putting them through the wringer in Lab evaluations for everything from shrinkage to abrasion resistance. I also worked with over 300 different consumer testers to find the best of the best. From analyzing thousands of data points to owning a few pairs myself, the results speak for themselves: Bombas are some of the best socks we've ever tested. Read on for more details on the different styles offered and answers to popular questions.
Which Bombas socks are the best?
Bombas offers a wide slew of socks, from no-show and ankle heights to crew and knee-high options, in everything from cotton to merino wool for every type of activity. Each style offers must-have details for comfort, like a seamless toe that helps minimize chafing, to other innovative design improvements like their proprietary Honeycomb Arch Support System and signature Y-Stitched Heel, that helps provide a snug fit with minimal slippage. Here are some of our favorite top-tested options:
Original Socks
This style is the brand's first style of socks, available in both ankle and crew height, and they're perfect for everyday wear year-round. They've got all the features Bombas are known for, like targeted cushioning, proprietary compression around the midfoot and a seamless toe.
In our tests, they were a favorite of our consumer testers and product experts alike. One tester even raved, "these are the most comfortable socks I've ever worn." Plus, they're a staple for our Textiles Lab analysts, who swear by these for both personal wear and as gifts for family and friends. They didn't prove the most durable in abrasion resistance tests but had minimal shrinkage after multiple washes.
No-Show Socks
Bombas aced our tests in this category, outscoring every other pair we tested with both lightweight and cushioned offerings in consumer feedback. Made of cotton and polyester with a bit of spandex, these styles have the same seamless toe with silicone grippers in the back and a thick elastic band around the ankle to help the sock stay in place during wear.
Testers highlighted the effectiveness of the design and none experienced any slippage during wear. Others praised the simple comfort, calling the lightweight version "the perfect no-show sock," noting how "thin and breathable, yet substantial enough to stay put" the socks felt.
Athletic & Performance Socks
The brand's signature honeycomb-style compression around the arch sets these socks apart in the world of athletic socks. Our fitness experts, including our registered NASM-certified personal trainer Stefani Sassos, praised the balance of support and comfort of its running socks and called them "great for workouts and everyday wear." Testers also gave them high scores across the board, saying "my feet never overheated and they were never too sweaty." Plus, one tester noted that while she's gotten blisters and cuts from running in different socks in the past, she didn't when wearing Bombas.
Merino Wool Socks
If you're after a little extra warmth as the weather gets colder, the brand's Merino wool offerings felt soft and warm in our evaluations. There's everything from cozy lounge socks to standard crew socks to no-show socks that felt "super soft," according to testers.
The Merino Wool Gripper House Socks (pictured above) even snagged a spot as one of our favorite fuzzy lounge socks, featuring plenty of soft, cushioning pile on the interior.
Gripper Slipper
While this style is more of a slipper-sock hybrid than a true lounge sock or slipper, they're undeniably comfy. The most popular version features a variety of fun knit exteriors with soft, brushed lining to keep you warm during slipper season, with a classic cable knit edition, but the brand also offers a sherpa-lined version for even more coziness.
Testers reported back that they felt safe while walking on hardwood floors in these and several highlighted the cushioning on the soles. One even described this pair as a "special treat to try."
Bombas Socks Pros:
✔️ Comfort: This is the pillar of all the brand's products, and it's true: Bombas socks are incredibly comfortable. In our tests, consumers gave them top scores across all categories and raved about them when offered the chance to give qualitative feedback. One tester even said, "I want to throw all of my old socks away and fill my hosiery drawer with only Bombas."
✔️ Size & Fit: If you've ever struggled with one-size-fits-all socks, this brand has you covered with three to four sizes for any of their styles. I'm a Women's size 6.5 and have dealt with too-big socks my entire life. Once you find a pair that perfectly fits you, there's no going back.
✔️ Design & Construction: Bombas is known for elevating the simple sock to provide a tailored experience. Its no-show socks are specifically designed to stay on your feet while its everyday socks offer cushioning, comfort and support. Plus, each style has standout features like a seamless toe, honeycomb arch support system and Y-stitched heel.
✔️ Donations: Since its start in 2013, the brand has committed to donating a pair of socks to someone in need for every pair it has sold. As of June 2022, Bombas has donated over 86 million items (including socks, T-shirts and underwear) and distributed over 51 million.
Bombas Socks Cons:
✔️ Durability: While Bombas aced consumer evaluations, the brand's socks had mixed results in our Lab's durability tests:
Shrinkage: While most of the brand's socks showed minimal to average shrinkage after multiple washes, certain styles, like the no-show socks, shrank more than others. If you're on the edge of a size range for those, I'd recommend sizing up to ensure the fit isn't too snug.
Wear over time: Most of the brand's socks feature cushioning on the soles, and while this adds support, these types of socks are more prone to visible signs of wear and tear. Lightweight Bombas socks fared a bit better, lasting over 3,000 rubs on our Martindale Abrasion Resistance Tester before it began to show signs of pilling. That said, GH analysts and editors have been wearing Bombas for years without any issues, so as long as you aren't subjecting the socks to extremely abrasive surfaces, they should last.
✔️ Price: There's no denying that Bombas are pricier than the average pair of socks, so it's ultimately up to you whether the price tag is acceptable. The brand offers everyday options starting at $13 per pair and multipacks with savings of up to 15%.
Are Bombas Socks Worth It?
The short answer is yes, they're more than worth it, but it depends on what you're willing to pay for this elevated wardrobe essential. While they certainly come at a premium, if there's one thing Bombas does best, it's comfort. Even if you think your current socks are perfectly fine, these socks really stood out from the rest in our tests, and they are an easy way to upgrade your day-to-day wardrobe. Plus, for every pair you buy, you can rest assured that the brand will donate another to someone in need.
Why Trust Good Housekeeping?
Grace Wu is a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute who oversaw recent in-Lab and consumer tests for almost all types of socks, including no-show socks, compression socks, hiking socks and running socks. Prior to joining the GH Institute, Grace earned a Master of Engineering degree in materials science and engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in fiber science from Cornell University.
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