I have worn Bombas socks exclusively for eight years. Seriously, I found something I loved and stuck with it.
I didn’t set out to only wear Bombas socks, but over time, all of my non-Bombas socks wore out or got demoted to the back of my sock drawer.
Of course, I was initially drawn to Bombas for the ways they give back. I figured, if I have to buy socks anyway, I might as well buy socks that give back. (I’ve since written a whole article about other sock brands that give back.)
Ultimately, I’ve stuck with Bombas socks for their comfort, sustainability (they last a long time!), and consistent quality.
While I have a few big critiques, I created this guide to help people who are on the fence about whether or not to pay a premium for Bombas socks.
This article isn’t sponsored by Bombas in any way, but some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Everything Good Good Good recommends is genuine and uninfluenced by brands. Thank you!
How Bombas gives back
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard or seen a podcast or TV ad for Bombas. “Socks, underwear, and T-shirts are the most requested items in homeless shelters,” their ad copy reads. “Bombas was founded to help.”
As the founder of a positive media company, their mission immediately caught my attention. For every pair of socks (or other products) purchased, they would donate to someone experiencing homelessness.
This isn’t just marketing fluff, Bombas actually distributes their products to folks who need them. In fact, the most recent Impact Report says that the brand has donated more than 100 million new clothing items to 3,500+ giving partners in all 50 U.S. states since its founding.
The Impact Report goes on to share that 71% of Giving Partners say that Bombas donation products were helpful tools for outreach and relationship building — and 74% said that receiving these donations freed up room in an organization’s budget to focus on other items and initiatives that needed funding.
In case you’re curious, Bombas sometimes donates specific versions of their products that are specifically engineered for people experiencing homelessness. For example, the company might donate all-black products, to show less visible wear — and products treated with antimicrobial treatment that allow them to last longer in between washes, if necessary.
Other times, they simply donate their normal clothes, chosen to support a specific community. Standard Bombas dress socks are donated to help job seekers, “Hex Tec Performance” running socks are donated to sporting organizations, and colorful collab socks are designed for kids going back to school so they can express their personalities.
As someone who is usually a bit skeptical about brands who tout their do-good endeavors, I’ve found Bombas’ approach to giving back to be refreshingly thoughtful and helpful.
On top of this, they’re a Certified B Corp. And I love that they continue to use their advertising and influence to bring awareness to the important issue of homelessness.
(Bombas actually previously sponsored one of my colleagues’ articles about homelessness, allowing our team to have the budget to bring these important articles to life. I love that they do stuff like that — but I want to be clear that this article is not sponsored and Bombas has zero clue I’m even writing it.)
What makes Bombas socks unique
Bombas claims it spent two years doing research and development “to create the perfect sock.” That’s, like, half of an undergrad degree. Apparently, they even tested more than 100 calf tension levels to find the perfect level of tightness.
Their big features are a “Y-Stitched Heel,” a “Stay-Up Design,” “No Toe Seam,” and a “Cushioned Footbed.”
From my experience, it seems like Bombas took a standard sock and figured out all the big and small things that might annoy people about them… and then built solutions to each of those.
This level of intentionality in design is what makes Bombas stand out from other socks.
What I like about Bombas socks
For the record, I’ve tried wearing some other socks in the last few years. So I have things to compare them to.
I’ve been gifted socks from Bonobos, MeUndies, and Happy Socks. They’re fine, but some of them I’ve given away and others have been forgotten in the back of my sock drawer.
I picked up a 12-pack of Adidas quarter socks for 50% off when I received a pass to their employee store. For the price, they were fine, but when I’m wearing them I find myself wishing they were Bombas.
I’ve given other socks a fair shot — but I continue to choose Bombas.
Here’s my breakdown on why that is:
They’re built to last.
I just did a sock inventory and ran the numbers. Of the 48 total Bombas socks I have purchased since 2017... 5 have gotten lost, 12 have holes in them, and 31 of them are left to be worn.
(I’m not counting my first-ever order of Bombas socks in 2015 — all of which have worn out — because nobody expects socks to last eight years.)
Based on the purchase dates from my receipts, I’ve calculated that approximately:
- 100% of my Bombas socks have lasted more than 2 years.
- 91.67% of my Bombas socks that have worn out lasted more than 4 years.
- 50% of my Bombas socks that have worn out lasted more than 6 years.
- None of my Bombas socks lasted more than 8 years.
I feel like that’s a pretty solid lifespan.
Overall, I’ve found that the socks don’t pill, they develop holes much less frequently than other socks, and they hold their shape quite well.
They stay “nice” for a long time.
I personally don’t like to have a ton of different kinds and colors of socks because it makes putting my laundry away even more annoying than it needs to be.
So, for each length/style of socks, I essentially just have one color. Every few years, when I’ve lost some socks to the washing machine or realize that I need more of one kind — I just order the same socks in the same color.
Normally, this would be a recipe for disaster, because an old well-worn sock isn’t going to fit the same as a brand-new sock. (And it creates that uneven, “one sock is tighter than the other” feeling. I hate that!)
But with Bombas, this hasn’t been my experience. I can mix and match a sock from three years ago with a brand-new sock and not even be able to tell the difference.
In fact, as a part of writing this article, I tried to differentiate the socks I bought three years ago from the socks I bought one year ago. I couldn’t figure it out — which is amazing.
They fit everyone well.
Unlike some sock brands, Bombas doesn’t just take a one-size-fits-all approach. They offer a Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large size in almost every sock. (With Small, Medium, and Large being categorized as “Women’s” and Medium, Large, and Extra Large being categorized as “Men’s.”)
Plus, their honeycomb design keeps socks tight (but not too tight) on your feet no matter where you fall on the foot-size spectrum.
I like that my socks feel snug and secure but that they don’t cut off my circulation or make me uncomfortable.
No toe seams!
Most pairs of socks have two pieces of fabric that come together right at your toe line, creating a seam that you can feel along the front of your little piggies. Bombas figured out a way to “hand-stitch” this to remove that annoying sensation from your sock-wearing experience.
This might be my most favorite thing about Bombas. As a person who is very sensitive to how fabrics feel on my body, Bombas are the first socks I’ve worn in my life that feel “invisible” to me.
Once Bombas are on my feet — I don’t think about them anymore. I don’t feel the way the socks come together; I don’t have to think about how the fabric feels on my feet and legs; I don’t worry about them falling down or sliding around; and I don’t even worry about them making me sweaty. They’re just engineered well.
They offer a Happiness Guarantee.
I actually had a seam rip on my Bombas underwear recently. (That’s a whole other review.) I was bummed, because they were only a few months old, so I Googled to see what their replacement policy was.
I was surprised and delighted to find that Bombas offers a lifetime “Happiness Guarantee.” Their FAQ page describes it as, “If your socks don’t fit, we’ll help you return or exchange them. If your shirt develops a hole, we’ll replace it. Dog chewed up your socks, we’ll replace them.”
I sent them a photo of my torn underwear and within a week they sent me not just one new pair of underwear — but a replacement for the whole six-pack I had originally purchased!
Obviously, if you abuse this, they’ll cut you off. (I found that mentioned in their terms and conditions page.) But if you’re just a regular person who finds a hole or two in your socks earlier than you think is appropriate, it’s amazing that this exists!
They’re pretty sustainable.
While Bombas is a B Corp, they’re not necessarily touted for intentionally using sustainable materials, donating to environmental organizations, or thoughtful sourcing of materials. (In fact, Good On You rated Bombas as 2 out of 5 — “Not good enough.”)
But, beyond materials, a big part of sustainability is all about minimizing your impact on the environment.
Because Bombas socks last significantly longer than other socks, you don’t have to buy replacements as often. My quick math tells me that I will probably buy anywhere between 30-60% fewer total socks in my lifetime if I keep buying Bombas.
It’s also worth mentioning that in 2022, Bombas began partnering with climate experts at Watershed to help them create short- and long-term plans to measure and reduce their emissions. They use some recycled fabrics — and also partnered with For Days to create their own Take Back Bag to recycle old clothing.
They align with my values.
In addition to giving back with every purchase, I’m a fan of their other initiatives.
They support refugee families in my hometown of Portland, Oregon; their employees consistently volunteer to do all kinds of good; they cover phone bills for unhoused folks; and they also thoughtfully support communities that are disproportionately impacted by homelessness — like people of color, Indigenous communities, and LGBTQ+ youth.
Plus, all of this is done with some degree of transparency because they’re certified by B Corp.
What I don’t like about Bombas socks
As I’ve already made abundantly clear, I love Bombas and have found them to be the best socks I’ve ever worn. With that being said, I do think there are a few key notes that are worth mentioning:
The price.
There’s no denying that Bombas socks are expensive. (Even when I snag a Black Friday deal, that final total during checkout is a little unsettling..)
But, when I calculate my price-per-wear, it’s clear that these are worth the upfront cost. A quick back-of-the-envelope calculation tells me my average cost-per-wear on each pair of socks is less than 32 cents.
If you’re wondering if Bombas are worth the money, the answer is undoubtedly yes. While they’re certainly priced higher than competitors, these socks last a long time, feel incredibly comfortable, and give back to those in need.
Plus, last time I checked, Bombas still gives you 20% off your first order if you enter your email address. I would definitely recommend loading up on your first order to maximize your savings. (And remember that you can return them later if you hate them or if they don’t meet your standards.)
They’ve gotten better and worse.
Bombas has evolved through the years. When I first started shopping for their socks, the options were limited to just a few colors and styles. But even from their early days, they were making great socks.
Either as a result of diversifying their offerings or increasing the scale of their production, I do think some of their products have decreased in quality. My first few socks from Bombas lasted almost five years before they finally wore holes in the heels from wear.
My newer socks are now lasting about three years before I start to notice threads coming loose or discover holes developing along the “Y-Stitch” or near the toes.
Three-plus years is still incredible for socks I wear every day — but I do think it’s worth noting that I’ve run into more quality control issues than I used to.
At the same time, I do feel like the newer socks stretch out less, continue to stay up on my leg without falling down, and also offer new “features” and “technology” (those feel like funny ways to describe socks) that the old socks never did.
Should you buy them?
I know for certain that I’ll keep buying Bombas.
Bombas socks aren’t just popular because of their unique marketing and thoughtful give-back program. After wearing Bombas exclusively for eight years, I have found that they genuinely make high-quality socks that feel good and last a long time.
(From a sustainability standpoint, I don’t recommend buying Bombas if you already have enough socks you like. Keep wearing what you have until they wear out. But if you’re already in the market for new socks, I cannot recommend Bombas highly enough.)
Here’s what I’d recommend you buy:
All-Purpose Performance Calf Socks
(Men’s | Women’s)
While I originally owned the “Solids Calf Socks” — I’ve come to appreciate the “All-Purpose Performance Calf Socks” as a superior sock. The “All Purpose” look almost identical to the “Solids” — but they feel more comfortable, sweat-proof, and versatile. I could wear them to a work conference or wear them in the gym.
There are a few differences between the two, but it seems the main one is that the “All Purpose” socks have more polyester than cotton — while the inverse is true for the “Solids” socks. I wouldn’t have guessed that and assumed the fabric was the same until I wrote this article. You can’t go wrong with either direction.
All-Purpose Performance Ankle Socks
(Men’s | Women’s)
While Bombas has some running-, golf-, and other sport-specific socks, I’ve found these socks to be perfect for just about anything athletic.
You might also like:
- I have one pair of “Merino Wool Blend Performance Calf Socks” (Men’s | Women’s) and think it’s perfect for days when my feet might get a little wet from the rain. I added a three-pack to my birthday list this year.
- Most dress socks suck; Bombas Dress Socks (Men’s) don’t.
- My wife loves her Lightweight Socks (Women’s) from Bombas.
- You can explore Bombas’ whole collection of socks (Men’s | Women’s) and more (Men’s | Women’s).
Here’s what I’d recommend you stay away from:
I really value consistency and sustainability in a pair of socks — and so I have a hot-take: While Bombas’ limited-edition socks (like their Pixar collection, holiday collections, or other collabs) are cute and undoubtedly great quality — if I lose one sock out of the pair, then I have to toss the other sock, too. I can’t just mix it into the rest of my batch of same-colored socks.
Similarly, I never buy their mixed-color packs, either. If I order a 3-pack in a black, grey, and white… and then lose one of the grey… I’ve effectively lost the whole pair.
So, I recommend skipping out on any non-traditional socks and any multi-color packs if you want your overall sock collection to last longer.
I also didn’t love their no-show socks… but it’s hard to blame Bombas for that because I think no-show socks probably give everyone “the ick,” regardless of who makes them.
And here’s what I haven’t tested yet, but want to:
I’ve never tried their compression socks —but my coworker bought them when she was pregnant and absolutely raved about them.
When I finally wear through my lousy Adidas quarter socks (they’re only a year old and they’re falling apart), I’m going to try out Bombas’ version.
I’ve never tried Bombas’ long underwear or their T-shirts, but if they’re anything like their socks, I know I’m going to love them.
I’ll keep this article updated from year to year, with details on how my socks are holding up.
