Active Crew Socks 6 Pack vs Ridge Mid-Crew Lightweight 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
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
Cotton blend athletic socks, no specified coating
Confidence
72%
PossibleFormaldehyde resins
PossibleMicrofiber shedding
Wigwam
Ridge Mid-Crew Lightweight Socks
PFAS grade
D 65/100
Overall grade
F 53/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
Merino wool blend, standard textile construction
Confidence
78%
PossibleFormaldehyde resins in finishes
PossibleAzo dyes and synthetic colorants
PossibleMicrofiber shedding during wear
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