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Floatplane
What is Linus if not the tech tip man, the socks and sandals man, and the dropper of all things. With that reputation, as well as our amazing products on lttstore, people always ask… why the heck do you not have an LTT Sock??
Well… honestly, at this point it feels like designing a rocket for Elon’s Mars trip might be simpler than designing the perfect socks for Mr. Socks and Sandals. We’ve got the perfect screwdriver, the perfect backpack (once we get those carabiner replacements sent out - stay tuned for info on that soon!), and the almost perfect mousepad. Why are socks so difficult to get right? It’s just socks!
Let's face it, a lot of socks on the market are simply not up to par. They fall apart after just a few washes, leaving you with a sad and holey sock drawer. That's why it's crucial to develop socks that can withstand the wear and tear of daily use without leaving your feet in a sweaty swamp either.
We've been on a quest for the past two years to create socks that can replace Linus’ almighty Darn Tough socks. You know, the ones that are made with a high-quality nylon/wool spandex blend and are tougher than nails - and with a limited lifetime warranty to boot. He wears them every day. To be clear, not the same pair every day…we hope… We've connected with a bunch of vendors and created a bin full of samples, but still no luck. It's like we're trying to replicate the secret formula for Coca-Cola or something.
The yarn we get from our vendors is close, but not quite there. To be fair, we are being picky with our sample requirements. We're talking about needing 12 different knits on different areas of the sock to get our target durability and quality, and we want socks that are thick enough on the toes and heels for max comfort. It’s important that the heel and toes have thick material because that’s where they see the most wear and tear. But we need thinner sections on the top and arch of the foot to maximize breathability and mobility. Apparently that's like asking for a miracle.
The vendors we're working with can't recreate that perfect ratio of thick and thin within the construction of the sock, and the stretchiness is always too much. Oh god, the stretch factor! We don't want socks that stretch like a rubber band. We want them to fit snug and not slip off while Linus plays his weekly games of badminton, or if he ever needs to run from a bear - let’s be real, one meal for that bear would take away a whole lot of meals for a whole lot of humans these days. Too much stretch can also cause further wear and tear on the socks, and nobody has time for that.
We've experimented with adding grips to the socks to help with the snug fit, but that brings in its own challenges like catching on your boots or shoes every time you put them on. It's a catch-22. Beyond that, adding grips to the socks won't necessarily solve the problem of stretchiness and fit, AND grips made of plastic won't last long post laundry day after being exposed to the heat from the dryer. So we're still brainstorming ways to improve the construction and materials to make the socks as durable and comfortable as possible.
We've got to figure out the material too. The weight of the cotton, wool or polyester plays a big role in the durability of socks. And don't even get us started on breathability. We need to use natural fibers for that. So yeah, building socks for Linus is like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded. But we won't stop until we find the perfect pair. We’re Team Goldie Socks, and we’re on a mission looking for a pair that feels jussst riiight.
Once we’re able to reach that incredibly high quality standard that we have set up for ourselves, we'll move on to perfecting the fit and creating cool designs. The kind of socks you’d be proud to show off too. We know that a sock can have all the durability and quality in the world, but if it doesn't fit right, it's still a bad sock. That's why we're committed to not only finding the right materials and construction techniques, but also making sure that the socks fit like a glove - regardless of your weird, oversized toe.
We're talking about a sock that hugs your foot in all the right places, with no bunching, slipping, or sliding. A sock that feels like it was custom-made just for you, so you want it to last! It's a tall order, but we're up for the challenge. Because at the end of the day, we believe that everyone deserves a damn good sock. So we’ll keep working away and keep you posted.
Until then… Why did the sock go to the doctor? Because it had a hole in its sole!
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In the meantime…we do have some pretty amazing hoodies on lttstore.com, so while you’re keeping your feet warm with the heat of that beautiful new GPU in your PC, waiting for these socks to come along… at least keep your arms warm with a WAN Hoodie! Check it out on lttstore.com.