Bamboo socks in large sizes
Short answer: If your shoe size is above 46, you need a sock range that covers it. A sock that is too small is stretched all day, feels tight and wears through at the toe first.
The size ranges
Socks are sold in ranges, typically two to three shoe sizes in each. The largest ranges cover up to around size 50. So find the range your shoe size falls in, rather than simply picking the largest. Check the range on each style, because it can vary between styles.
Small socks wear out fastest
When a sock is stretched all day, the fabric gets thinner, and the toe and heel wear through quickly. That is the most common reason for holes among men with large feet. A sock in the right size lasts longer because the fabric is not under tension. Read also how to avoid holes in your socks.
Length and width
Some people have long feet and others wide ones, and both affect how the sock sits. A long foot needs room at the toes, while a wide foot needs room across the instep. If you feel pressure in one spot, the range is too small right there.
The heel must sit right
The heel of the sock should sit around your own heel. If it rides up onto the Achilles tendon, the sock is too short, squeezes the toes and slips into the shoe. It is a quick check you can do the first time you put on a new sock.
See the range
The range of large sizes changes, and not every style is available in the largest ranges at the same time. See the current sizes and styles in all bamboo socks for men. Check the size range in the product description before ordering so you know it suits your foot.
For work
In safety shoes and work boots, a sock that fits matters even more. There is no room for folds or stretched fabric, and you may walk for many hours in a row. A sock in the right range sits smoothly and gives fewer pressure points. See socks for safety shoes and boots.
Your shoes matter too
With large feet, your shoes are often close to the limit as well. A thick sock can make a tight shoe even tighter. Try your shoes with the sock you plan to wear in them, especially winter boots and shoes you walk in for long periods.
Read more
More on the subject, including how to measure your foot and which styles suit large sizes, is in socks for large feet. It also covers what to look for when your foot falls right between two ranges.
Washing and drying
Wash the socks at 40 degrees and let them air dry so they do not shrink. The tumble dryer can make a sock that fitted slightly too small, which is felt most in large sizes, where there is little to spare. Read more in the washing guide.
When to replace them
When the fabric at the toe and heel gets thin, or the cuff no longer holds, it is time for new ones. Hold the sock up to the light and you quickly see where it is worn. Replace several pairs at once so every sock in the drawer is the same size.
Frequently asked questions
Which range should I choose?
The one where your shoe size sits in the middle, not at the edge. If you are on the border, the larger range is often the safe choice for large feet.
Do socks shrink in the wash?
Hardly at 40 degrees with air drying. The tumble dryer shrinks them, so that is what to avoid if the sock is to keep its size.
Why does the toe wear through first?
Because the sock is often too small and is stretched over the toes all day. The fabric gets thin there first, so the hole appears at the toe.
See our range of men's bamboo socks.
