# Know of good odor-resistant socks?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-good-odor-resistant-socks/650458
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [February 16, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-good-odor-resistant-socks/650458 "2013-02-16T01:25:29Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-good-odor-resistant-socks/650458/1 "2013-02-16T01:25:29Z")
I had some from Walmart that were great, but now they have holes. I see articles online about the silver ions from socks getting into the water and harming fish, so I’m wondering if there’s something else to buy. I bought some Adidas “antibacterial” socks off ebay, and some others from Kohls, and they both suck. I can’t even really tell the difference they make.
Ideas?
---
### Author:  [@Curiosity\_Kills\_Her](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Curiosity_Kills_Her)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2013, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-good-odor-resistant-socks/650458/2 "2013-02-16T05:15:42Z")
Anything by [Smartwool.](http://www.smartwool.com/)
Sierra Trading Post has good deals, and there are usually 20% off coupons floating around online.
---
### Author:  [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2013, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-good-odor-resistant-socks/650458/3 "2013-02-16T05:31:58Z")
For me, natural fiber (cotton, wool) does the trick; synthetic fiber is bad news.
---
### Author:  [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2013, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-good-odor-resistant-socks/650458/4 "2013-02-16T05:56:19Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#):
>
> For me, natural fiber (cotton, wool) does the trick; synthetic fiber is bad news.
This.
Repeating, synthetic fiber is bad news.
---
### Author:  [@kjbrasda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kjbrasda)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2013, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-good-odor-resistant-socks/650458/5 "2013-02-16T06:02:20Z")
Wool socks help keep odor down by regulating temperature, and wicking away sweat. Most commercially sold wool socks are a blend of wool and acrylic, so when buying them keep an eye on the fabric blend which should be listed somewhere on the package. More wool = better odor protection (as well as warmer, dryer, more comfy feet) but requires closer attention when laundering.
---
### Author:  [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2013, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-good-odor-resistant-socks/650458/6 "2013-02-16T06:03:53Z")
> [@White SIFL](#):
>
> Repeating, synthetic fiber is bad news.
OK
synthetic fiber is bad news.
synthetic fiber is bad news.
synthetic fiber is bad news.
synthetic fiber is bad news.
synthetic fiber is bad news.
…
---
### Author:  [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2013, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-good-odor-resistant-socks/650458/7 "2013-02-16T13:55:41Z")
My feet smell great.
So do my farts.
---
### Author:  [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2013, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-good-odor-resistant-socks/650458/8 "2013-02-16T15:37:43Z")
I don’t know the science behind it, but I’ll nth the wool or mostly wool sock recommendation. They’re my go-to camping socks because, aside from mud puddles, it takes forever for them to look or feel or smell “dirty” in any way whatsoever. Cotton socks get funk with half a day’s wear; wool 80/20 I can alternate two pair (so they have a chance to thoroughly dry) for over a week without needing a wash.
---
### Author:  [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2013, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-good-odor-resistant-socks/650458/9 "2013-02-16T16:47:29Z")
[The Master Speaks](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/217/how-do-odor-eating-socks-work)
---
### Author:  [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2013, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-good-odor-resistant-socks/650458/10 "2013-02-16T18:58:11Z")
I’m a major fan of Darn Tough’s hiking socks. They’re incredibly comfortable, breathable, and odor-resistant.
One pair can last me several days when I’m in tropical rain forest, in the middle of nowhere, hiking from sunrise to sunset.
However–make sure you wash them with gentle detergent only. I made the mistake of using a laundry booster (containing OxyClean). That stuff can take the lanolin coating off of the wool. My socks are still great–far better than any other socks I own–but they’re no longer as amazing as they were.