Women's Quarter Crew Socks (6 Pairs) vs Unisex Run Zero Cushion Crew Socks: which is safer?
Smartwool Unisex Run Zero Cushion Crew Socks is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Puma
Women's Quarter Crew Socks (6 Pairs)
PFAS grade
Good 65/100
Overall grade
Poor 47/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
Cotton/polyester blend socks, no waterproofing
Confidence
82%
PossibleAzo dyes
PossibleFormaldehyde resins (finishing agents)
ReportedMicroplastic shedding
Our pick
Smartwool
Unisex Run Zero Cushion Crew Socks
PFAS grade
Good 65/100
Overall grade
Good 57/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
Merino wool blend, no stated water-repellent treatment
Confidence
72%
PossibleAntimony in polyester (catalyst residue)
PossibleElastane degradation and microfiber shedding (durability hazard)
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 polyester (catalyst residue) and Elastane degradation and microfiber shedding (durability hazard) 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 stated water-repellent 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