Last year I wrote about how much fun we had learning to make our own felted slippers on a family hike (check out the article if you missed it). However, if making your own socks seems like too much hard work, here’s Kids of the Wild’s review of a super-comfortable bamboo sock selection you can buy off the peg!
A sock review might seem an unusual post to start back with after a long summer break from blogging but as an outdoor parent I don’t think we can have too many socks! I’ve been keen to review SockShop’s more eco-minded bamboo socks range; a selection of socks for all the family including their back to school bamboo girls tights. After a summer of extensive road-use, read our verdict below.
Why bamboo?
Simply, comfort. Caroline’s summary? “I love my new socks – I can barely feel they’re on!”
When spending time outdoors whether 5-minutes gardening or a whole day’s hiking, comfort is everything, especially for feet. Kids won’t stay outside for long if they’re uncomfortable in what they’re wearing.
SockShop’s bamboo socks are some of the most comfortable Caroline and I have worn and they come in a huge range of plain and patterned socks in lots of bright colours.
Here’s why Kids of the Wild love bamboo fabric. It’s: –
- Smooth
- Soft
- Comfortable
- Eco-friendly
- Sustainable
- Feels seam-free
- No slave sweatshops
- Naturally antibacterial
- Kind to all skin types
- Moisture handling
- Heat regulating
- Lightweight
- Machine washable (40 degrees)
Kids Bamboo Tights
1 pair – grey, black or navy – £6.99 at Amazon.
These are perfect for school.
Caroline loves these tights, reviewing the grey colourway with her school uniform. Before trying them she said “My tights are always so itchy, if these are good can we always get bamboo tights?” and she’s adamant she’ll stick with bamboo tights from now on! These are a darker grey than her previous tights so they also show the dirt less. Her comments: –
- they don’t ride down
- they’re not itchy
- they feel as though there are no seams
- they are very comfortable
Kids of the Wild says these are the best school tights we have had and we’ll stick with bamboo fabric in future.
Kids Bamboo Socks
3-pairs – plain white knee-high socks or bright coloured ankle socks – £5.99 at Amazon
With hand-linked toes for smooth seams and made from pure natural bamboo these socks are perfect to keep busy feet comfortable all day long both at school and in the wild!
Caroline, who loves cheerful colours, chose a bright yellow pair of which she said “I love these socks because they’re bright but not to bright.” As with the tights she said the bamboo kids socks are “…so comfy it feels like there aren’t any seams!”
Click on the image to purchase at Amazon.
Ladies Gentle Bamboo Socks
3 pairs – various colours- £7.99 at Amazon
I’ve worn mine hiking and in wellies and they’ve been fantastic, not riding down like lots of socks do in boots.
The entire bamboo range is lightweight and will feel thinner than your usual socks but they are very comfortable and really warm despite this. The adult socks are classed as ‘silk touch’ and I can verify that they really are silky and smooth when worn. They also have a ‘gentle grip cuff’ for extra comfort, so they barely feel that they’re on your feet and yet they don’t slip down!
They wash well and dry quickly and come in a wide range of colours. I like dark-based socks with lots of added colour so the various ranges of 3 pairs of mixed stripes were ideal for me. I love them all. The colourways I chose (as pictured above) are Black/Bubblegum stripe, Damson/Magenta stripe and Navy/Orchid stripe.
Men’s Gentle Bamboo Socks
3 pairs – navy or black – £7.99 at Amazon
Being more lightweight than Wild Daddy’s usual socks (he wears hiking socks 24-7, including at work for his giant, UK size 12 boots), he found the bamboo too thin, silky and smooth for his liking. I guess he’s not a gentle giant and you can’t please all of the people all the time! These are definitely an option as spares though and I think a lot of men will prefer the lighter, anti-bacterial fabric.
All in all I highly recommend SockShop’s entire bamboo range for all the family.
Get the Gear
Many thanks to Sock Shop for these review items. For more of our honest reviews of check out Kids of the Wild’s reviews section.
If you would like Kids of the Wild to review one of your products please get in touch via the contact page.
NB Kids of the Wild received a selection of bamboo socks and tights for the purposes of review and we receive a few pennies from any Amazon purchases made through this page. All views and observations are my own and my family’s, including Caroline aged 10.