The Sock Yarn Experiment
What Makes the Longest Lasting Sock?
I made my first pair of socks while working at the yarn store in 2024. Here, I also met a lot of passionate sock knitters and learned much about the recommended twist, fiber blends, and construction of a sock. While there are a lot of personal preferences that play a part in what each knitter chooses for their sock yarn, I started wondering about what makes the longest-lasting sock. Is it the ubiquitous 75/25 wool/nylon blend? Can a 100% handspun wool sock last as long as one made from commercial yarn? What happens to a vegan sock yarn under pressure? As a hobby runner, my feet have pounded through many pairs of socks over the years. I decided to test the socks I make, specifically to find out which yarns hold up best to mileage.
Constants:
- I use the same pattern to make my socks, so that the construction of the sock remains the same.
- Handwash only and lay flat to dry to prevent the non-superwash materials from felting.
I am keeping track of mileage in a running app and taking photos every 10 miles for each sock. Below are the beginning results. If you're curious, please check back as I update this page with additional mileage, photos, and results.
Sock 1
75 SW Virgin Wool/25 Polyamide
KFI Collection Sock Indulgence 4 PLY yarn
100g/459 yds (420 m)
Current mileage - 134 mi.
Current condition - No holes. Heel and foot bottom are smoothed and flattened and look shiny.
Sock 2
75 Organic Merino Wool blend/25 Polyamide
KFI Collection Sock Indulgence Organic 4 Ply Yarn
100 g/459 yds (420 m)
Current mileage - 40
Current condition - No holes. Heel and foot bottom are smoothed and flattened and look shiny.
Sock 3 - 160.5 miles
Handspun "worsted" type yarn with extra twist. 3 Ply.
Fiber content: BFL, Cheviot, Shetland, Jacob blend
49 g/165 Yds (150 m)
3 ply, 16 WPI
(Cuffs made from different yarn)
Current mileage - 160.5
Current condition - Holed. Heel and foot bottom are smoothed and flattened and look shiny. Slight felting in the heel and bottom foot area. The heels wore out on both socks and one has a hole after 160.5 miles.
Sock 4
West Yorkshire Spinners Signature Sparkle 4 Ply Yarn
40 Wool, 35 Bluefaced Leicester, 25 Nylon
~437 yards (400 meters) / 100g ball
Current mileage - 2 mi
Current condition - No changes from new
Sock 6 - 96.5 mi
Malabrigo Sock Yarn
100 Superwash Merino Wool 3 ply yarn
~440 yards (402 meters) / 100g ball
Current mileage - 96.5 Mi
Current condition - Holed. The top of the toe box wore out after 96.5 miles on both socks.