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SmokeyBear 
I know shoe-fu
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Joined: Mar. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 01 2009, 7:41 pm |
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Went to Costco today and saw Kirkland merino wool blend "Outdoor Trail Socks" advertised as a package of 4 for $10.99 CAD. Took a closer look - the socks appear very much like my Smartwool Midweight socks. These cost anywhere from $14-$17 USD PER PAIR.
Look exactly like these:
http://www.e-omc.com/catalog/ipopup_image.php/pID/5730?iID=3257
except without the Smartwool logo. They are made in the USA and contain 71% Merino Wool, 21% nylon, 7% polyester, and 1% spandex. They feel great, and hug the foot well. At a fraction of the price of Smartwool, these socks are a steal. I bought two packages for myself and one for my girlfriend (who doesn't hike, but always steals my socks), and wonder if I should have bought more. In fact, I think I'm going to go back and buy some for christmas stuffers!
Happy shopping! Hopefully you'll find them stock in your local Costco.
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| Post Number: 2
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SmokeyBear
I know shoe-fu
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Joined: Mar. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 01 2009, 8:40 pm |
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Holy crud, I can tell you that wearing them in my keen waterproof shoes they keep my feet dry and warm - but after taking my shoes off, two things are evident. One, that they do a darn good job wicking moisture, because the outside of the socks are damp from sweat while my feet feel dry.  Two, Keen.Dry is not very breathable. 
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| Post Number: 3
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BoraBora
Group: Members
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Joined: Feb. 2008
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Posted on: Dec. 01 2009, 9:03 pm |
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Yup, I can vouch for those - I found them at Costco last year and bought a package to try out. They've held up fine so far.
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dearnold
Group: Members
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Joined: Dec. 2008
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Posted on: Dec. 01 2009, 10:12 pm |
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I have a bunch of those and they have been regularly in stock at my Costco in the Twin Cities area for at least a year now. They hold up well.
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"Not fit for human consumption"
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| Post Number: 5
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SmokeyBear
I know shoe-fu
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Joined: Mar. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 01 2009, 10:41 pm |
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So I wonder. It appears by all accounts to be the exact same sock as the Smartwool midweights. Same composition, made in the USA, and look nearly identical. Turned them inside out, stitched in the same places, same wool loops. I'll take a closer look tomorrow and compare them when I get home. But I'm quite certain they come off the same production line. Not many places in the USA making wool socks anymore unfortunately.
Which begs the question - how can Smartwool sell these for $18 a pair, partially on the claim of being made in the USA as opposed to China or elsewhere, and Costco can sell them for $2.50 per pair and presumably make money? I understand the margin must be paper-thin, but yeesh. Amazing what marketing can do.
I feel a fool for having bought mine even at the discounted price of $14per pair now!
Even if they aren't the same, they are close enough that I'd never buy the Smartwool again if these are available! I like to support the little guys, but the difference in price makes it plain stupid to buy them elsewhere.
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| Post Number: 6
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theron
Group: Members
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Posted on: Dec. 01 2009, 11:09 pm |
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A year or so ago I bought a couple pairs of US made wool socks for $6/pair from a local surplus store. I don't remember the brand name but I looked it up and found it was the same as a town that had a smartwool factory in it.
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| Post Number: 7
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| Post Number: 8
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FnAskippy
Group: Members
Posts: 1095
Joined: Nov. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2009, 5:00 am |
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(SmokeyBear @ Dec. 01 2009, 10:41 pm)
QUOTE So I wonder. It appears by all accounts to be the exact same sock as the Smartwool midweights. Same composition, made in the USA, and look nearly identical. Turned them inside out, stitched in the same places, same wool loops. I'll take a closer look tomorrow and compare them when I get home. But I'm quite certain they come off the same production line. Not many places in the USA making wool socks anymore unfortunately.
Which begs the question - how can Smartwool sell these for $18 a pair, partially on the claim of being made in the USA as opposed to China or elsewhere, and Costco can sell them for $2.50 per pair and presumably make money? I understand the margin must be paper-thin, but yeesh. Amazing what marketing can do.
I feel a fool for having bought mine even at the discounted price of $14per pair now!
Even if they aren't the same, they are close enough that I'd never buy the Smartwool again if these are available! I like to support the little guys, but the difference in price makes it plain stupid to buy them elsewhere.
Welcome to capitalism.
Smartwool is a great sock and they jacked them up until the point where sales started slowing. All of the others followed.
When you see "Best sock of 2010".
Expect a $2 per pair increase.............cuz the dummies HAVE to have it.
OOOOOOOOOO You take Visa !!!
Down here we have a sock made in Taiwan that is almost identical. 6 for $10.
I still pay the money for Smartwool and just ordered some Wigwam to try out.
I'm funny that way. I still buy a lot of American MADE outdoor gear since it was always the best.
I guess I'm an idiot since few others do and America is losing all of it's companies anyhow. Labor anyway. I mean. In reality, Kelty is a Philippine outfit and Osprey is Vietnamese. Danner is more than half Chinese as is Redwing/Vasque. Buck knives. The list goes on and on.
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Pura Vida !
www.arenalbotanicalgarden.com
Lake Arenal, Costa Rica
"When you shop, you're really voting for the kind of world you want."
Gary Hershberg
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| Post Number: 9
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collama
Group: Members
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Joined: Jun. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2009, 8:43 am |
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I have paid the full price many times! And my wife loves their striped socks. I gotta join Cosco.
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| Post Number: 10
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| Post Number: 11
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fish
Group: Members
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Joined: Jun. 2006
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2009, 11:02 am |
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And I just bought two pairs of Smartwool midweights a few months ago. Thanks for the tip.
*facepalm*
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Wilderness Utah - Learn, Explore, Discover.
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| Post Number: 12
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red dog
Elev 2,180'
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2009, 11:12 am |
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I snagged some Omni-Wool socks at Sam’s Club a few months ago for about ten bucks for three pair.
Got six…should have got more. Great socks
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Arizona
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| Post Number: 13
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danamac
Group: Members
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Joined: Apr. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2009, 1:32 pm |
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Looks like I will make another trip to CostCo tomorrow to check on those. Just bought a flat screen last Wednesday form there. CostCo automatically extends the warranty a year on electronics.
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AARN USA
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| Post Number: 14
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geophagous
Group: Members
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2009, 2:10 pm |
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Got some for my wife for work since she says her feet hurt and she steals my hiking socks.
Now however I will need to get some more for myself!
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| Post Number: 15
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strez
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Posted on: Dec. 03 2009, 1:29 pm |
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Generic brands of items (clothes, food, etc.) are usually made at the same facilities as those that make name brands, except the materials they use are of less quality. I would guess that is the case with Costco socks (probably a more coarse wool or something). I read some Internet reviews of them that said they wear out for quickly than Smartwool socks.
That said: they're an amazing bargain at the price. I saw where Sams Club makes a similar wool sock for a similar price. Personally, I find that Smartwool socks wear out quickly, and I have switched over to more blended socks, like Teko.
These, however, are my new favorite socks and are priced in the middle range:
http://www.backcountry.com/outdoor....0M.html
I just bought some about a month ago and love them. You can often get them on sale for under $20 for three pair, which is reasonable.
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| Post Number: 16
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SmokeyBear
I know shoe-fu
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Posted on: Dec. 03 2009, 2:42 pm |
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Those look like nice socks strez, but middle range price?! They're $30 per pair!!! Even on sale they're $24!
These socks might very well be of lower quality materials, but after wearing them the last couple of days it's not apparent - they are pretty soft, but with no visible compression of wool loops. The real test will be coming next spring for me (and maybe this winter). Someone I know used them on the last trip he went on, said they were pretty comfy for 5 days.
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Franco
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Posted on: Dec. 03 2009, 4:55 pm |
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Backcountry.com Merino Hiking Sock - 3-Pack
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| Post Number: 19
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SmokeyBear
I know shoe-fu
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Joined: Mar. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 03 2009, 5:07 pm |
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Ooops, my mistake - didn't notice the 3 pair deal. I've never tried these, but they look like they're good quality.
Low wool content though. I find the ones that start reducing wool tend to stink much faster. That being said, I'm a big fan of these:
http://www.mec.ca/Product....1771659
The Fox River Tramper socks. A little thicker, but very comfy and good cushioning. For $9 CAD per pair, a good deal too.
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| Post Number: 20
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SmokeyBear
I know shoe-fu
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Posted on: Dec. 03 2009, 10:55 pm |
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Okay, had a closer look making a direct comparison now that I am back home. The Costco brand socks look pretty darn similar, sans logo. But, when turned inside out, differences are in fact apparent. Although both are high quality socks, the SmartWool ones definitely make a greater distinction between the surface and bottom in terms of loop density. The density of loops on the inside top of the Smartwool sock is actually a bit thinner than the Kirkland socks, but the inside bottom of the Kirklands is only slightly denser than the top. In the Smartwool socks, the density of the bottom is notably thicker than in the Kirklands - maybe 30-40%. There is also a band on either side of the Smart Wool sock between the top and bottom that isn't populated with loops - probably for stretch and breathability. The actual size of the thickened bottom areas are about the same (despite what it appears in the picture).
Here is a picture - Smart Wool on the right, Kirkland on the left.
All in all, the Smartwool is a better sock. But $14 better per pair? Probably not for most people, unless you've got a lot of money to burn or the most sensitive feet on the planet! But I suspect the Kirklands won't last as long, and over a long trek with only 3 pairs of socks in your bags, having the SmartWool might make the difference for you.
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| Post Number: 21
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danamac
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Posted on: Dec. 04 2009, 3:48 pm |
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So I picked up a set of these socks at CostCo today. They look good, feel good. Coincidentally, they also had similar Smartwools there as well. Directly behind these in the next aisle over. There were definitely some differences in the look and feel, but very minor. These Kirkland brand show 71% Merino wool, where the Smartwools were showing 74 or 76%, I think. The Smarts were $19.99 for two pair, where the KL were $9.99 for 4 pair.
I would suspect that the KLs would be fine for 80-90% of the hiking/backpacking population, but maybe not so for the more dedicated packers and thru hikers.
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AARN USA
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| Post Number: 22
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humboldthiker
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Posted on: Dec. 04 2009, 4:05 pm |
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I bought these socks at Costco a few years ago (maybee 3) and at the time they said HEAD as the brand name. I am still wearing them and they are not quite as soft or thick but no holes or worn out areas yet. At the time they were 4 packs with 2 blue,1 black, and 1 tan color. I do not know if HEAD is the same as Smartwool or not but these are very good socks. After I bought them I tossed all my cotten socks out  .
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| Post Number: 23
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dla
Group: Guests
Posts: 2671
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Posted on: Dec. 05 2009, 11:46 am |
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I must have a dozen pair* of the Costco socks - they are all I wear. Ever. I started buying them about 4 years ago at least and I've not needed/wanted anything else. It is a very good sock in general and nothing beats it for the price.
*(actually I have almost 2 dozen)
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Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive..The robber baron’s cruelty..may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience - CS Lewis
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| Post Number: 24
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strez
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Posted on: Dec. 08 2009, 7:31 am |
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Just bought the Costco socks yesterday (4 pair for $9.99) for me and my son. Really quite a bargain. I haven't worn them yet. The material seems a bit more coarse than my Smartwool socks. They seem identical to some older REI brands socks I bought a few years back. Anxious to try them out and see how well they last.
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| Post Number: 25
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NICKTHEGREEK
Group: Members
Posts: 1787
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Posted on: Dec. 08 2009, 8:03 pm |
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(SmokeyBear @ Dec. 01 2009, 7:41 pm)
QUOTE Went to Costco today and saw Kirkland merino wool blend "Outdoor Trail Socks" advertised as a package of 4 for $10.99 CAD. Took a closer look - the socks appear very much like my Smartwool Midweight socks. These cost anywhere from $14-$17 USD PER PAIR. Look exactly like these: http://www.e-omc.com/catalog/ipopup_image.php/pID/5730?iID=3257except without the Smartwool logo. They are made in the USA and contain 71% Merino Wool, 21% nylon, 7% polyester, and 1% spandex. They feel great, and hug the foot well. At a fraction of the price of Smartwool, these socks are a steal. I bought two packages for myself and one for my girlfriend (who doesn't hike, but always steals my socks), and wonder if I should have bought more. In fact, I think I'm going to go back and buy some for christmas stuffers! Happy shopping! Hopefully you'll find them stock in your local Costco.
I've worn them for years, they aren't in stock 100% of the time so stock up when you find them. They wear well and can last quite a while.
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Hamilton Standard Propellers- 1
Chinese Migs- 0
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Peter4135
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Posted on: Jan. 01 2010, 11:38 am |
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You guys realize that these are basically the same socks right? The difference in wool weights of 3 or 4 percentage points is virtually meaningless.
Also, buy American. The quality of American made products is always going to be higher. If you buy American, you aren't perpetuating the existence of sweat shops. If you buy American, you support American wage laborers and companies that refuse to outsource labor even though it is always more profitable to do so.
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| Post Number: 28
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hikerjer
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Posted on: Jan. 01 2010, 12:29 pm |
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Bought a package of them and used them as stocking stuffers for my sons. Seems like a great deal on a pretty high quality product. Maybe not Smartwool, but darn close. I was never that enamored with Smartwool anyway. JMO
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"Too often I have met men who boast only of how many miles they've traveled and not of what they've seen." - Louis L'Amour
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the new guy
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Posted on: Jan. 02 2010, 6:23 pm |
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(Peter4135 @ Jan. 01 2010, 11:38 am)
QUOTE Also, buy American. The quality of American made products is always going to be higher. If you buy American, you aren't perpetuating the existence of sweat shops. If you buy American, you support American wage laborers and companies that refuse to outsource labor even though it is always more profitable to do so.
I agree with this. I would rather buy american, even though it costs more.
I have pairs of smart wool socks I got four years ago and they are still going strong. I still have pairs that I used for years working security five days a week walking five to six hours a shift. Call me a fanboy, but I wear smart wool every day fall, winter, spring, and summer. I have tried other socks during that time but Smart Wool socks top them all in terms of durability, comfort, and moisture management.
I have not tried the costco socks, but you get what you pay for even if some of it is "brand name markup"
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| Post Number: 30
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snyderman
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Posted on: Jan. 02 2010, 7:07 pm |
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I will buy American if it is about the same price and quality, and if it is NOT made by a Union worker.
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Survival Skills 101 • Eat Better
