Women's Quarter Crew Socks (6 Pairs) vs Men's Run Zero Cushion No Show Socks: which is safer?
Smartwool Men's Run Zero Cushion No Show Socks is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Puma
Women's Quarter Crew Socks (6 Pairs)
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleAzo dyes
PossibleFormaldehyde resins (finishing agents)
ReportedMicroplastic shedding
Our pick
Smartwool
Men's Run Zero Cushion No Show Socks
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleAntimony in synthetic fibers (nylon/elastane)
PossibleElastane (spandex) degradation and microfiber shedding
PossibleContact dermatitis from wool or dyes
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Azo dyes, Formaldehyde resins (finishing agents) and Microplastic shedding on the Puma and not on the Smartwool.
- We flag Antimony in synthetic fibers (nylon/elastane), Elastane (spandex) degradation and microfiber shedding and Contact dermatitis from wool or dyes on the Smartwool and not on the Puma.
- The Puma is Cotton/polyester blend socks, no waterproofing where the Smartwool is Merino wool blend, no reported water-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 sports performance undergarments, see the full ranking