Active Crew Socks 6 Pack vs Men's Cushioned Low Cut Moisture Wicking Socks: which is safer?
New Balance Active Crew Socks 6 Pack is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
New Balance
Active Crew Socks 6 Pack
PFAS grade
D 65/100
Overall grade
F 57/100
Verdict
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Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
Cotton blend athletic socks, no specified coating
Confidence
72%
PossibleFormaldehyde resins
PossibleMicrofiber shedding
New Balance
Men's Cushioned Low Cut Moisture Wicking Socks
PFAS grade
D 65/100
Overall grade
F 53/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
Cotton blend with synthetic moisture-wicking fibers, no stated water-resistant treatment
Confidence
72%
PossibleAzo dyes in synthetic fibers
PossibleFormaldehyde resins in fabric finishing
PossibleMicroplastic shedding during wear or wash
Both products run through the same public rubric: 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