Men's Athletic Cushioned Crew 6-Pack Socks vs Running Midweight Socks: which is safer?

Nike Running Midweight Socks is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

adidas Men's Athletic Cushioned Crew 6-Pack Socks

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

Our pick

Nike Running Midweight Socks

Nike

Running Midweight Socks

PFAS grade

Good 65/100

Overall grade

Good 53/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

polyester/nylon blend with elastane

Confidence

72%

PossibleAzo dyes in polyester

PossibleElastane degradation and microfiber shedding

PossibleUndisclosed water-repellent coating chemistry (potential PFAS beyond stated grade)

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 in polyester, Elastane degradation and microfiber shedding and Undisclosed DWR chemistry (potential PFAS beyond stated grade) 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 with elastane, 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