Chevron
Delivery truck

FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER £20

Love

BE A HERO & HELP SAVE LIVES

Gift

BUILD YOUR OWN GIFT BOX

Chevron
English Chevron
GBP Chevron
Home Mens Womens Build Your Box All About Socks Charities
Account
Account

Socks Grading

Welcome to the Happy Bits socks grading section! Here, we meticulously assess socks based on three key criteria: design, quality, and material. Our grading system ensures that every pair of socks meets our high standards and earns a score reflective of its overall excellence. Firstly, we evaluate the design of each sock, considering factors such as creativity, aesthetics, and versatility. Socks with unique patterns, vibrant colours, and thoughtful detailing receive higher scores for their visual appeal and style versatility. Next, we scrutinise the quality of craftsmanship, examining stitching, seam strength, and overall construction. Socks that demonstrate superior durability, comfort, and longevity earn top marks for their exceptional quality. Finally, we assess the material composition of the socks, taking into account factors like softness, breathability, and sustainability. Socks crafted from premium materials such as bamboo and merino wool receive higher scores for their luxurious feel and eco-friendly properties. By thoroughly grading socks based on design, quality, and material, we ensure that only the best socks make it into our collection. So rest assured, every pair of Happy Bits socks has earned its score through our rigorous evaluation process, guaranteeing satisfaction with every wear 🧦 ⭐️
SHOP NOW
Pen and ruler Design
Read More Plus

1 ⭐️ - Spots and Stripes: Spots and stripes are the timeless classics of sock design, serving as the foundation for countless sock styles. While they are revered for their simplicity and versatility, they are also considered the most basic of designs. Despite their simplicity, spots and stripes remain enduring favourites due to their ability to effortlessly complement a wide range of outfits and occasions.

2 ⭐️ - Pattern Prints All Over: Basic pattern prints on socks are undeniably popular for their simplicity, but they often lack the personality and flair that more intricate designs offer. While they provide a classic and versatile option, they may not make as bold a statement or express individual style as other, more elaborate sock patterns.

3 ⭐️ - Symmetrical Pattern Prints: Symmetrical pattern prints on socks strike a perfect balance between classic and captivating. They offer a middle ground in sock design, providing visual interest without overwhelming simplicity. With endless possibilities, from playful fruits to beloved sports team logos, symmetrical patterns add a touch of personality while maintaining simplicity. Socks usually have 2-3 colours in their design features.

4 ⭐️ - Non-Symmetrical: More humorous and adventurous designs on socks, with added colours and random placement, inject excitement into your socks. Here, socks start getting a little more exciting with their design, incorporating vibrant colours and more individualised prints that add a personal touch. Socks usually have 3 or more colours.

5 ⭐️ - Individual & Unique: These lively patterns, bursting with humour and personality, resonate with people on a personal level, offering fun and expressing hobbies or interests. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and creativity, each pair showcases a unique level of artistry and innovation. Designs are born from a dynamic blend of current trends, popular appeal, humour, and individuality, ensuring socks stand out from the crowd. These socks are far from generic and are very individual. This level of socks has intricate and finer details within the design, including many different types of knitting. Colours can range from 4 to 6.
List Build Quality
Read More Plus

Sock needle count refers to the number of needles used in the knitting machine to create a single sock. A higher needle count typically results in a finer and denser knit, offering superior comfort, durability, and quality. Numerous sock brands manufacture their socks using knitting machines with low or mid-gauge needle counts, typically ranging from 96 to 180 needles. The highest level of quality is 200 needles. A 200-needle count ensures premium quality and unparalleled comfort.

1 ⭐️ - These socks with needle counts up to 96 needles boast basic, lower-quality designs and are typically crafted from synthetic materials. These socks may lack durability and comfort, offering a budget-friendly option with limited style and performance.

2 ⭐️ - Slightly better socks within the same needle count range often feature a more diverse blend of materials, including cotton, wool, and bamboo, with percentages varying up to 45% (very low). This blend enhances comfort and durability, offering a step up in quality compared to basic synthetic socks. Socks are still produced using low-end stitching machines exhibiting numerous loose threads, which can become bothersome as they catch on toes during wear, compromising both comfort and durability.

3 ⭐️ - Socks within the needle count range of 108 to 168 provide a slight improvement in quality compared to lower needle count socks. In this sock range, we often see the inclusion of added features such as reinforced toe and heels, enhancing durability and strength for prolonged wear. You often find this level of quality amongst common designer brands.

4 ⭐️ - Socks in the 168 to 176 needle count range showcase increased attention to detail, focusing on fit and durability. With improved cuff design for better fitting, reinforced toe and heel areas, and seamless construction, these socks offer enhanced comfort and longevity. Premium materials, starting at a minimum of 65% composition, ensure a luxurious feel and superior performance with every wear. We sometimes see some socks at a 200 needle count at this level without some of the added features or with the lower end of high-quality sock composition.

5 ⭐️ - Experience the pinnacle of sock perfection with 200-needle count socks, offering the highest level of quality and comfort. Features such as soft cuff design to prevent circulation restrictions, seamless construction, and reinforced toe and heel areas are pretty standard at this level. Crafted with a minimum of 75% up to 90% of premium materials such as sourced premium bamboo, organic cotton, and Milano wool, these socks ensure a luxurious feel and superior performance. We also see some sock companies using double layers on the socks, providing increased warmth and durability that lasts much longer. These socks are knitted using the highest level of sock manufacturing machines, guaranteeing impeccable finishes and a pristine interior. The machines ensure that loose threads are kept to a minimum, preventing discomfort and irritation caused by threads catching on toes.
Color swatch Material
Read More Plus

We conduct thorough reviews of sock materials, evaluating them based on several key factors to gauge their impact on sock performance:

  1. Comfort & Cushioning: We assess how each material contributes to the overall comfort and cushioning of the socks. Soft and plush materials enhance comfort, while cushioning properties provide support and reduce fatigue during wear.
  2. Durability: Our reviews scrutinise the durability of materials to ensure that socks maintain their quality over time. We look for materials known for their strength and resilience to withstand the demands of daily wear and washing.
  3. Sweat and Moisture Wicking: We evaluate how effectively materials wick away sweat and moisture from the skin, keeping feet dry and comfortable. Moisture-wicking properties are crucial for preventing discomfort and odours caused by moisture buildup.
  4. Insulation and Warmth: Our reviews consider how well materials provide insulation and warmth to keep feet cosy in colder conditions. Insulating properties help retain body heat, while still allowing for breathability to prevent overheating.
  5. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Materials: When reviewing materials, we prioritise sustainability and eco-friendly factors, considering aspects like renewable sourcing, biodegradability, and manufacturing processes to minimise environmental impact.

By meticulously reviewing sock materials based on these factors, we ensure that our socks are crafted from high-quality materials that prioritise comfort, durability, moisture management, and warmth, offering unparalleled performance and satisfaction to our customers.

1 ⭐️ - Polyester: Polyester socks strike a balance between durability and moisture-wicking properties, providing moderate performance. However, they don't match the natural comfort of fibres like cotton. Polyester is also not renewable as it is derived from petroleum-based chemicals. Its production relies on non-renewable resources, contributing to environmental concerns such as fossil fuel depletion and pollution.

2 ⭐️ - Acrylic: Acrylic socks excel in moisture-wicking abilities and offer moderate durability, making them a versatile choice for everyday wear in various conditions. Their synthetic nature provides enhanced performance over natural fibres.

3 ⭐️ - Cotton: Renowned for its softness and breathability, cotton socks offer initial comfort but are prone to moisture retention and lack long-term durability compared to other materials.

4 ⭐️ - Wool: Wool socks are prized for their exceptional insulation, moisture-wicking, and odour-resistant properties. They offer superior warmth and comfort, making them ideal for cold weather conditions and active pursuits.

5 ⭐️ - Merino Wool: Merino wool socks represent the pinnacle of sock materials, offering unparalleled insulation, moisture management, and comfort. They are exceptionally soft, breathable, and naturally antimicrobial, making them perfect for all-day wear in diverse climates.

5 ⭐️ - Bamboo Socks: Bamboo socks are a superior choice, offering similar benefits to Merino wool. They provide excellent moisture-wicking, breathability, and antimicrobial properties, ensuring exceptional comfort and performance in any environment.

The materials used in socks undergo careful consideration, including the percentage of each material utilised in the sock’s construction. For instance, bamboo socks with a lower material composition, such as 45%, may offer different qualities compared to those with a higher percentage, like 65% or more. The higher the percentage of bamboo material used, the greater the benefits in terms of softness, breathability, and sustainability. This percentage plays a crucial role in determining the overall performance and characteristics of the socks, ensuring they meet the desired standards of comfort, durability, and eco-friendliness. Bamboo socks with a range between 45-65% are likely to fall into the 4 ⭐️ range due to the lack of bamboo used in the sock composition, whereas bamboo socks with a 70 to 90% range will differ greatly with much better comfort, breathability, and all the antimicrobial benefits bamboo brings, easily falling into the high 5 ⭐️ rating.
Like Happy Bits Socks Review
Read More Plus

Happy Bits socks were graded the same harsh way as above with each detail scrutinised. This way we could ensure the highest level of quality and build a premium sock we were proud of and socks customers loved.

Happy Bits socks fall straight into the highest sock grading category for all three criteria, getting 5 ⭐️. The socks have a 5 ⭐️ for design, falling into the individual and unique designs category with designs unique to the market and resonating with individual personalities. Don't forget, gifting also makes them the perfect gift for a unique personal touch.

The build quality is also 5 ⭐️, with the socks providing most features related to the pinnacle of sock design, including reinforced material, soft cuff, high needle count, and double-layer bamboo. Using premium bamboo in a double-layer format means Happy Bits socks come with the only factor bamboo socks sometimes lack (an extra level of warmth). Bamboo provides comfort and cushioning, durability, moisture wicking, and now extra insulation and warmth. Every box has really been ticked, making them the Swiss knife of socks! Buy your Happy Bits socks here.