Lightweight Boot Socks vs Men's Hiker Encounter 2-Pack: which is safer?
These two grade almost identically. Pick on price and preference; neither has a PFAS edge.
Bridgedale
Lightweight Boot Socks
PFAS grade
Good 65/100
Overall grade
Good 57/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
Merino wool blend, acrylic, polyamide
Confidence
72%
PossibleMicrofiber shedding from synthetics
PossibleAntimony residues in polyamide
Darn Tough
Men's Hiker Encounter 2-Pack
PFAS grade
Good 65/100
Overall grade
Good 57/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
Merino wool blend, no water-repellent treatment applied
Confidence
78%
PossibleAntimony in synthetic fibers (nylon reinforcement)
PossibleMicrofiber shedding (synthetic blend durability)
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Microfiber shedding from synthetics and Antimony residues in polyamide on the Bridgedale and not on the Darn Tough.
- We flag Antimony in synthetic fibers (nylon reinforcement) and Microfiber shedding (synthetic blend durability) on the Darn Tough and not on the Bridgedale.
- The Bridgedale is Merino wool blend, acrylic, polyamide where the Darn Tough is Merino wool blend, no water-repellent treatment applied, 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 waterproof hiking socks, see the full ranking