What's a Good Sock-Change Interval?

RJM62

RJM62

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Well, today was the changing of the socks. To avoid having to sort socks, I simply replace all the white socks with new white socks -- all identical -- at the same time. Voila! No sorting needed!

I used to do this using 30 pairs of sock in the rotation and replacing them all annually, but I recently reduced the sock repository to 20 pairs because 30 pairs plus handkerchiefs and the occasional white tee-shirt made for a pretty large washer load.

I'm thinking that I should reduce the SCI (Sock-Change Interval) to eight months to compensate for the added wear due to the decreased number of socks in the rotation. I really don't want to risk SFWT (Sock Failure While Traveling), possibly far from home. I might not be able to get the identical socks, which would throw off my whole system.

Speaking of which, I also downgraded from FOTL (Fruit of The Loom) to the Wal-Mart socks that come 10 pairs in a bag (sometimes with two extra bonus pairs). I simply wasn't able to detect any difference in fit, finish, or mileage. Frankly, I suspect that both the FOTL and the Wal-Mart socks are made in the same factory overseas, and just re-badged for retail sale.

-Rich
 
Thank God I'm not the only one that does this. I absolutely despise sorting socks. I have one set of newer and one set of older. When the elastic in the older set gets too squirrely, I replace that entire set, and the newer set becomes the older set. I don't have a specific sock change interval.
 
Too much time on your hands, Rich?

From the title, I thought the answer was going to be "when they stick to the wall."

:)
 
I thought it was going to be about windsocks...

You actually keep track of when you buy your socks? :confused:
 
Everskyward said:
I thought it was going to be about windsocks...

You actually keep track of when you buy your socks? :confused:
Click to expand...

Of course. It's part of my Routine Preventative Maintenance Schedule. Better safe than sorry, after all.

-Rich
 
dans2992 said:
You're not married, are you?

I never shop for clothing. It just appears in my closet whether I need it or not!
Click to expand...

Not at the moment. But I've been buying my own clothes since I started working when I was 9. I still dress pretty much the same way, too (except for leisure suits, which are hard to get nowadays). I'm not what you'd call a slave to fashion...

-Rich
 
MAKG1 said:
Too much time on your hands, Rich?

From the title, I thought the answer was going to be "when they stick to the wall."

:)
Click to expand...

I'm one doctor's appointment, four pounds, and a couple of lab tests away from being cleared to fly again, so yeah, I'm kind of bored. It's amazing what gaining a few pounds can do to a diabetic's A1C numbers. :yikes:

Of course, I could always fire up an ultralight (which is what I usually fly anyway) and do whatever I feel like doing, sans doctor's approval; but I figure the incentive is a good thing.

-Rich
 
Hey Rich,

Check out "Gold Toe" socks. Darn things wear like iron. Not cheap, but good.

In answer to your question; DAILY. :yes:
 
I do the same thing. When one pair looks like they are starting to wear - they all go. I'm a 30 pair guy, and I'm on month 18 with no issues yet. Hanes with the gray reinforced toe.
 
I don't do this.

I do have all matching socks save a couple black socks for dress-up days and wool socks for super-cold days.

When a sock gets a hole, into the trash it goes. When I find I'm having trouble finding pairs of good socks, I buy a new package to replenish.
 
I change my socks daily. All are black. Since I wear cowboy boots, I find the heel wear most. If I put a pair on, and see through to the heel, it's trashed. When I am down to less than two weeks supply, new socks!
I find it really difficult because 15 pair of black socks have 30 shades of black. The good news is boots cover it up.
It is about time for 15 or 20 more pair.
 
This approach never occurred to me . . . I put on clean ones every day.

When they get holes, I throw out the offender [and its mate if I can identify it]. I spend a few minutes matching up socks most times that I wash them, sometimes I just pull two matches out of the dryer. When my supply runs low, I buy another package of 3 or 6 or 10, depending on cost and sale price.

Throw out everything because one is hinky? Guess I'm too much of a cheap b@st@rd to do that . . .
 
EdFred said:
I do the same thing. When one pair looks like they are starting to wear - they all go. I'm a 30 pair guy, and I'm on month 18 with no issues yet. Hanes with the gray reinforced toe.
Click to expand...

Wow, 18 months!

You must do a good annual inspection.

-Rich
 
I change mine at least once a day, more often if I'm mowing the lawn or similar.

I have a drawer of black socks and white socks. As attrition takes is toll, they'll get replaced a six-pack or two at a time.
 
EdFred said:
I do the same thing. When one pair looks like they are starting to wear - they all go. I'm a 30 pair guy, and I'm on month 18 with no issues yet. Hanes with the gray reinforced toe.
Click to expand...

Burlington Gold Toe Cotton Flurries. I think the last time I bought them was about six years ago. Macy's usually has a good deal on them.
 
I usually change mine twice a day. Seriously. Would you put your hands in gloves for 12 hours a day? Wonder why feet stink?

I was taught to take good care of your body, especially your feet.
 
RJM62 said:
Of course. It's part of my Routine Preventative Maintenance Schedule. Better safe than sorry, after all.

-Rich
Click to expand...

Yes. God forbid the elastic fail and cause a bunch up at your ankle when unexpected! :D
 
Basic costuming rules(for men) in theater is black socks; thus I've carried it forward to home life. When one gets a hole in the heel, THAT ONE gets tossed and its mate goes to a separate drawer. When the "hole in ONE" next presents itself I'll have a matched pair.

HR
 
Costco. 2 bags white (24 pair) from my son and 2 bags black (24 pair) from my daughter every fathers day. The old white ones then go to the garage for clean up rags and the black ones go to the bin.

.......I thought it was just me.....
 
RJM62 said:
Well, today was the changing of the socks. To avoid having to sort socks, I simply replace all the white socks with new white socks -- all identical -- at the same time. Voila! No sorting needed!

I used to do this using 30 pairs of sock in the rotation and replacing them all annually, but I recently reduced the sock repository to 20 pairs because 30 pairs plus handkerchiefs and the occasional white tee-shirt made for a pretty large washer load.

I'm thinking that I should reduce the SCI (Sock-Change Interval) to eight months to compensate for the added wear due to the decreased number of socks in the rotation. I really don't want to risk SFWT (Sock Failure While Traveling), possibly far from home. I might not be able to get the identical socks, which would throw off my whole system.

Speaking of which, I also downgraded from FOTL (Fruit of The Loom) to the Wal-Mart socks that come 10 pairs in a bag (sometimes with two extra bonus pairs). I simply wasn't able to detect any difference in fit, finish, or mileage. Frankly, I suspect that both the FOTL and the Wal-Mart socks are made in the same factory overseas, and just re-badged for retail sale.

-Rich
Click to expand...
No idea....but...

Chicago White Sox Rule!


:D:D:D


FWIW my last batch of white sox lasted three years.
 
Wow, I have 4 pairs of socks, 2 white cottons, one black cotton dress pair, one pair of grey with fleece lining, newest is a couple of years old, the black dress probably going on a decade. I haven't worn any of them in a couple of months now. It's kinda nice having a job where shoes are verboten.
 
My wife gives me a hard time. I have dozens of black Gold Toe "fluffies" socks. She just pitches them when they start to wear through.

I wish Costco carried these (I tried some of the ones they do have but they don't feel as comfortable...I do wear the $12 Kirkland blue jeans). I just keep my eye out periodically JCP or someone has them on BOGO or whatever.
 
RJM62 said:
Well, today was the changing of the socks. To avoid having to sort socks, I simply replace all the white socks with new white socks -- all identical -- at the same time. Voila! No sorting needed!

-Rich
Click to expand...

Yesterday was the day at my house.

I had to go to the warehouse store, anyway, so I replaced all my socks and boxers while I was there. Came home and threw out all the old ones.

Done for another year.
 
My dad taught me a long time ago to only have one brand and style of sock. He wore black "Gold Toe" socks for decades and I guess he still does, easy to match.
I have two sock types, black socks for work and other times when I am forced to wear slacks, they all match. And white "footies" they are all the same and I generally replace them every 18-24 months.
When all your socks are the same and you fold them together when you put them in the hamper, it's amazing how the washer and dryer won't "eat" them as often. :D
 
You need switch to gray socks. No laundry sorting then.

Somehow I lose socks, so I just fill up when I start getting low.
 
Uneven wear on socks drives me freakin' NUTS.

I deliberately buy mixed patterns for dress socks - argyle, etc... so I have as many matched pairs as possible. Gym socks, on the other hand, are a bit of a quandary as they are all white.

Now, my Nike dri-fit cycling socks.... those are easy peasy to track - there is actually a separate right and left for each pair. No ****.
 
Sac Arrow said:
Uneven wear on socks drives me freakin' NUTS.

I deliberately buy mixed patterns for dress socks - argyle, etc... so I have as many matched pairs as possible. Gym socks, on the other hand, are a bit of a quandary as they are all white.

Now, my Nike dri-fit cycling socks.... those are easy peasy to track - there is actually a separate right and left for each pair. No ****.
Click to expand...

One would think that the uneven wear wouldn't be a problem using my system. Simple probability should result in proper sock rotation, which should prevent the uneven wear problem.

In any event, I haven't noticed any uneven wear. They seem to get ratty and thin pretty evenly.

-Rich
 
RJM62 said:
One would think that the uneven wear wouldn't be a problem using my system. Simple probability should result in proper sock rotation, which should prevent the uneven wear problem.

In any event, I haven't noticed any uneven wear. They seem to get ratty and thin pretty evenly.

-Rich
Click to expand...

True, I just have this thing about keeping my socks paired. I guess I don't want them to mate and poison their lineage.
 
Two words in the summer down South. Sport sandals.

They save a lot of wear and tear on my mostly black socks I replace when the urge and opportunity hits me. :rolleyes2:

To answer the OP title, I'd say once every year or some may make it two years. Otherwise, you will need to start running oil analysis to accurately monitor the condition of each sock. ;)
 
Where's Jay? I don't think he wears anything but sandals except he had to rent a pair of shoes to go with the tux for some recent event. (I guess you can rent the socks too, I don't know I go to enough black tie stuff that I bought my tux).

Black socks they never get dirty,
the longer you wear them the stiffer they get.
Some times I think of the laundry,
but something inside me says don't send them yet.
 
For some reason my washing ,achine likes to eat my socks so I'll buy a new pair every few months
 
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