When a sock is worn out

Short answer: When you can see skin through the heel, when the cuff no longer holds the sock up, or when the toe has gone thin. Three signs, one is enough.

The heel and the toe

Those are the two places that meet the shoe hardest. Hold the sock up to the light. If you can see your fingers through the fabric at the heel, there are a few weeks left before a hole appears.

The cuff

Stretch the cuff and let go. If it does not spring back, the elastane is spent. The sock will fall down for the rest of its life. See bamboo socks for men.

When to replace

Replace before a hole appears, not after. A thin heel gives blisters before it gives a hole. See bamboo socks for women and bamboo trainer socks for women.

Frequently asked questions

Can you darn a hole

Yes, but in a thin sock the darn rarely lasts long.

How long does a sock last

Six months to two years depending on how often it is worn.

What can old socks be used for

As cleaning cloths. Bamboo viscose picks up dust well.