Women's Quarter Crew Socks (6 Pairs) vs Women's Run Targeted Cushion Low Ankle Socks: which is safer?
Smartwool Women's Run Targeted Cushion Low Ankle 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
Women's Run Targeted Cushion Low Ankle Socks
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleAzo dyes and synthetic colorants
PossibleAntimony in synthetic polymer fibers
PossibleMicrofiber shedding from synthetic blend
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 Azo dyes and synthetic colorants, Antimony in synthetic polymer fibers and Microfiber shedding from synthetic blend 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 specified DWR 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