Moab Hiker Crew Hiking Socks vs Men's Mountaineer Classic Edition Maximum Cushion Crew Socks: which is safer?
Smartwool Men's Mountaineer Classic Edition Maximum Cushion Crew Socks is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Merrell
Moab Hiker Crew Hiking Socks
PFAS grade
Bad 20/100
Overall grade
Bad 12/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
Merino wool/synthetic blend with water-repellent coating treatment
Confidence
58%
Possiblewater-repellent coating chemistry (fluorinated or non-fluorinated, unspecified)
PossibleContact dermatitis or sensitization from residual dyes or finishes
Our pick
Smartwool
Men's Mountaineer Classic Edition Maximum Cushion Crew Socks
PFAS grade
Good 65/100
Overall grade
analysis pending
Verdict
pending
Hazard flags
none flagged
Material
Merino wool blend (primary natural fiber)
Confidence
72%
Where these two actually differ
- We flag DWR coating chemistry (fluorinated or non-fluorinated, unspecified) and Contact dermatitis or sensitization from residual dyes or finishes on the Merrell and not on the Smartwool.
- The Merrell is Merino wool/synthetic blend with DWR treatment where the Smartwool is Merino wool blend (primary natural fiber), which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- The gap is 45 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Smartwool is the one to buy.
Both products run through the same public rubric: 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