You’re on this page because you’re after super cool, comfy, sustainable socks but don’t have time to be surfing all over the net to find them. You’ve come to the right place then. We’ve curated a list of eco-friendly and ethical brands that offer cute, stylish, patterned socks that you’ll love. They also make the perfect gift and ideal as stocking fillers too!
Here are the ethical sock brands in no particular order:
1. Allbirds
This New Zealand-American business launched as a sustainable shoe brand to great fanfare and has recently introduced a sock range for men and women.
Allbirds socks are made from a blend of environmentally-friendly and renewable materials such as Merino wool, Tencel, recycled polyester and recycled nylon. They come in a range of bold and classic colours and styles; from no-show socks, ankle socks right through to breathable sprinting socks. Team them with a pair of Allbirds shoes for the ultimate combination in footwear comfort.
Price range: $12-$16
Shipping: Worldwide shipping available.
Shop online: allbirds.com
2. Manrags
This Australian business specialises in premium 100% Egyptian cotton men’s and women’s socks and men’s underwear that is fashionable and ethically-made in Egypt. What sets this ethical brand apart from its counterparts is its sock subscription that allows people to ‘set and forget’ so they never run out of a good pair of socks and undies.
In addition, Manrags incorporates a circular fashion model that gives its community a chance to return and recycle their unwanted socks rather than throwing into landfill. Since launching the sock recycling initiative in September 2019, the business has already saved nearly 10,000 kilograms of textile waste.
Price range: A$30 for two pairs of socks and $40 for two pairs of underwear.
Shipping: Worldwide shipping available.
Shop online: manrags.com.au
3. PACT Apparel
PACT Apparel is an American eco-friendly clothing label produces a colourful and super cool range of organic cotton blend socks for women and men that contain 73-78% GOTS-certified organic cotton and nylon and elastane for stretch. The brand manufactures a broad range of basic wear including underwear, t-shirts, hoodies, bras and activewear. PACT socks are made using GOTS-certified organic cotton and are produced in a Fair-Trade certified factory.
Price range: USD $10-$13
Shipping: Standard delivery within the USA is free for orders over $59. Only international shipping location is Canada. Has plans to ship worldwide – just not yet. This page lists shipping details.
Shop online: wearpact.com.
4. Boody
Boody manufactures certified organic bamboo socks in staple colours in basic styles such as low cut, crew and sports socks. While bamboo fabric isn’t as ‘eco’ as other materials due to chemical solvents used in fibre processing, the brand is Oeko-Tex 100-certified an independent audit that verifies no harmful toxic chemicals was found in its processing and the fabric is organically grown without any synthetic chemical pesticides. The company also holds a WRAP certification which validates that the manufacturing meets high ethical standards that promote safe, lawful and human practices and working conditions.
Price range: AUD $8.95-$12.95
Shipping: Deliveries $8.95 within Australia, and free shipping on orders over $60. International shipping is available.
Shop online: boody.com.au.
5. Thought Clothing
Thought Clothing is a pioneer in the conscious fashion space, launching in 1995 at a time when sustainable fashion wasn’t a known concept. Fast forward to today and the label continues to produce ethically-manufactured pieces, its sock range is broad, producing funky, printed stylish socks in eco-friendlier fabrics such as certified organic cotton, bamboo viscose and recycled polyester.
Thought Clothing also creates affordable basics for both women and men, including tops, pants, skirts, shirts and underwear. The UK-based conscious fashion label manufactures in overseas factories that comply with strict codes of conduct and
Prices: £5.95-£9.00
Shipping: Free shipping on UK orders over £60. Worldwide shipping at extra cost.
Shop online: wearethought.com.
6. Organic Basics
Organic Basics responsibly produces high-quality organic cotton basics such as socks and underwear that have a luxe feel. Ethically manufactured in Europe using GOTS-certified organic cotton, these sustainable socks come in black only, in class styles such as ankle and low-cut and perfect when paired with loafers and trousers or jeans. Or just wear them whenever your feet need to feel comforted and loved.
Price range: DKK 89 – DKK 119
Shipping: Worldwide shipping at extra cost. Use shipping calculator at checkout for delivery prices.
Where to buy: organicbasics.com.
7. Qnoop
This Amsterdam-based sock label is on a mission to create the perfect sustainable sock for men, women and kids. With an emphasis on sustainable design and quality Qnoop creates a range of long-lasting bold organic cotton socks in a variety of low and high cut styles, prints and colours. Every pair is ethically produced in Europe and comes gift-wrapped.
Price range: Starts at £12.95. Buy in bundles to receive discount.
Shipping: Worldwide shipping for a fee.
Where to buy: mamoq.com.
8. Conscious Step
Conscious Step is an ethical sock brand that produces a bright and cheerful collection of geometrically patterned socks that are made from a blend of GOTS-certified Fair-Trade certified organic cotton, elastane, and polyamide. Their entire supply chain is also vegan certified. Ethically produced in India, these socks can be worn almost everywhere so long as you’re keen to stand out and happy for them to start conversations! Produces cool ethical socks for both men and women. Each pair gives back, either providing safe drinking water, planting trees or taking action to end hunger.
Conscious Step make socks that plant trees, feed children, tackle poverty, and send children to school. Hailing from Brooklyn, New York their mission is to bring more awareness to the problems faced by the world today and the organizations fighting these problems. Each pair of their incredibly comfortable socks are uniquely designed and made from Indian organic cotton… Every pair has a purpose.” – Flora & Fauna website
Shipping: Free shipping on Australian orders over $50. Worldwide shipping available from $10 depending on international location.
Shop online here.
9. People Tree
People Tree is a well-known, highly reputable fashion label in the sustainable fashion industry. Established over 30 years ago by Fair-Trade advocate Safia Minney, ethical fashion company produces a wide collection of garments such as socks, work wear and activewear using sustainable fabrics such as Fair-Trade certified GOTS-certified organic cotton. Its sock range is basic, offering just the one ankle-length style in three different colours (as shown below).
Price range: USD $9.00
Shipping: Ships worldwide. Visit this page for more info.
Shop online: peopletree.co.uk.
Recommending reading:
- 10 Affordable Eco-Friendly and Ethical Underwear Brands For Women and Men (USD $29 or Less)
- 10 Online Clothing Rental Places So You Can Sustainably Indulge in Your Love of Fashion
Disclosure: The curated list does not fully take into account all the ethical considerations that are unique to each individual. Before making a purchase, we encourage you to do your own research paying particular attention to the product supply chain and your own particular set of ethics. This list also includes affiliate links. Click here to read more about our policies.
Title image via Manrags.
