Men's Athletic Cushioned Crew 6-Pack Socks vs Lightweight Running Crew Socks: which is safer?
These two grade almost identically. Pick on price and preference; neither has a PFAS edge.
Adidas
Men's Athletic Cushioned Crew 6-Pack Socks
PFAS grade
Good 65/100
Overall grade
Poor 47/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
Cotton-blend athletic socks, no reported coating
Confidence
82%
PossibleFormaldehyde resin finishing agents
ReportedMicrofiber and microplastic shedding
PossibleAllergic reaction to synthetic fibers or dyes
Nike
Lightweight Running Crew Socks
PFAS grade
Good 65/100
Overall grade
Poor 47/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
Polyester/nylon blend, no reported water-resistant or stain-resistant treatment
Confidence
72%
PossibleAzo dyes and heavy metal residues
ReportedMicrofiber shedding
PossibleAntimony in polyester
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Formaldehyde resin finishing agents, Microfiber and microplastic shedding and Allergic reaction to synthetic fibers or dyes on the Adidas and not on the Nike.
- We flag Azo dyes and heavy metal residues, Microfiber shedding and Antimony in polyester on the Nike and not on the Adidas.
- The Adidas is Cotton-blend athletic socks, no reported coating where the Nike is Polyester/nylon blend, no reported water-resistant or stain-resistant treatment, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.
Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More performance socks, see the full ranking