If you’re curious about Bombas, this review will help answer your questions about them.
It’s almost impossible for a guy to spend time online these days and not run into advertisements for Bombas. You may be wondering, “while they have eye-catching ads, are they really up to par?”
I wanted to find out if the hype for these socks is really deserved or not, so I tried out just about everything they sell. That includes almost every sock style, as well as some of the non-sock items, too.
So in this Bombas review, I’m going to give you the inside scoop on which of their products are awesome, which are okay, and which ones you might want to skip.
About Bombas
Entering the online direct-to-consumer market in 2013, Bombas got their start nearly 10 years ago now. Since then, they’ve become ubiquitous in the menswear scene, partly through their advertising partnerships with podcasts, bloggers, and influencers.
But unlike many other DTC brands, they also have a mission outside of making awesome socks: They’re a certified B-corp that makes a point of donating a pair of socks to someone in need for each order that you make. So far, that’s made an impact of something to the tune of 50 million pairs of socks donated — pretty impressive stuff.
What I Tried
Like I said in the intro, I tried just about every pair of socks that Bombas makes. And while the brand gets the Modest Man seal of approval overall, there are some real standouts as well as a few duds. Let’s look at each item in a little more detail.
Marl Calf Socks
These have quickly become my everyday pair of socks. They’re one of Bombas’ flagship items, and for a good reason: They’re super comfy.
I love that they’re the right weight to be an all-season sock, and I can definitely recommend them very highly.
Merino Wool Calf Socks
I have two pairs of the Merino Wool Calf Socks and had two very different experiences with them. While one pair wore thin really fast, the other is still going strong.
They’re very comfy and are good for cold weather, and they come in a nice selection of colors too.
Overall, I’d still recommend these as a good alternative to Smartwool or similar brands.
Lightweight Merino Wool No Show Socks
The Lightweight Merino Wool No Show Socks from Bombas were very comfortable on my feet, with an almost silky feel. But as I was wearing them throughout the day, they weren’t staying on my feet very well.
Also, I wish they had light colors to choose from as well.
I’m still on the fence about this pair of Bombas socks.
Cushioned No Show Socks
This is one of the few pairs of Bombas socks that I just can’t really recommend.
They’re made of a cotton/poly blend that was comfortable enough but just didn’t really stay on my feet well at all. Compared to other no-show sock brands, they don’t quite stack up.
Low Cut No Show Socks
These are definitely the best Bombas no-shows, in my opinion.
They’re available in a nice color selection and stayed on my feet without any problems at all.
Highly recommended.
Performance Tennis Calf Socks
Even though the colorways for the Performance Tennis Calf Socks aren’t my favorite, all the other details are spot on.
There’s a seamless toe for comfort, honeycomb arch support for extra compression, and a really comfy fit that feels secure throughout my workouts.
Recommended as long as you don’t mind the bright colors and patterns.
Men’s Quarter Socks
Looking for a good pair of basic, everyday socks? The Bombas Men’s Quarter Socks are the way to go. They’re affordable and have held up well through repeated uses.
Throw in a couple of pairs when you order some more specialized socks.
Ribbed Dress Socks
I was pleasantly surprised by Bombas’ Ribbed Dress Socks. They’re made of a good medium-weight cotton and offered in a tasteful range of colors for work or formal occasions.
Overall, they’re a solid four-season dress sock that I would recommend to just about anyone.
Cotton Modal Boxer Brief
The Bombas Cotton Modal Boxer Briefs are just okay. They’re made of a nice material, but for the price, there are better brands out there right now like Mack Weldon.
I’m sure they’ll improve this underwear over time, but I can’t highly recommend them right now.
Sunday Slipper
Similar to Glerups but fairly affordable, the Bombas Sunday Slipper is a good choice for house slippers. They have a non-slip rubber sole and are super comfortable to wear with or without socks.
Fair warning though: I found that they run quite large and would recommend ordering a half size down (not up, as recommended by Bombas).
Merino Wool Crew Neck T-Shirt
The Merino Wool Crew Neck T-Shirt has a super high-quality feel, and I wanted to love it as the merino wool would make it a perfect hiking and everyday shirt.
However, these shirts are incredibly long on me, and basically felt like I was wearing a dress. So definitely not recommended for shorter guys.
What I Like, Summarized
Here’s what I liked about Bombas.
- Almost all their socks come in different sizes, which is great for guys with smaller feet
- Lots of options for materials, cushioning, style, and height
- Basically a one-stop shop for socks
- Generally very high-quality socks that are worth the price
- Excellent customer service. I placed an order with rush shipping; it was delayed, even with the rush fee. So they just replaced the entire order.
As you can see, there’s a lot to like about this brand.
What I Don’t Like, Summarized
Now, here’s what I didn’t like so much.
- Some of the no-shows slip off my feet
- One pair of merino wool socks wore thin surprisingly quickly
- Non-sock items like boxers and shirts are just okay for the price.
There’s nothing awful about Bombas, but there are definitely some cons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now we’ll answer a few questions that didn’t come up in the sections above.
How Long Do Bombas Socks Last?
Most of the Bombas socks that I’ve tried were super well made and will last a long time if you take care of them (i.e., don’t wear them around the house without shoes on). One pair of merino wool socks I tried wore thin super fast, though; it was probably just a fluke.
Why Is Bombas So Popular?
Bombas socks are probably so popular because they have a huge range of styles, sizes, colors, and materials to choose from. It’s really kind of a one-stop shop for any type of sock you want.
Why Are Bombas So Comfortable?
Bombas puts a lot of effort into getting the details right on their socks, from the design and fit to the materials used. That makes them super comfortable pretty much across the board.
Final Thoughts: Bombas Is Great Overall
I’d recommend Bombas for people looking for quality, comfortable socks at a fair price, with a few exceptions.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
I am 68 years old. For me, the Bombas sock is a winner for comfort if you have the right shoe size to match. I bought a number of them. I’ve had the same ‘not so good’ issues as others. Mine specifically is related to the heels. My socks deplete in material in a short time to where I can see my heels easily. I also have had the issue with the “no show” heel socks. They slip into the shoe under my heal and the rear skin of my ankle ends up rubbing against the exposed ankle.
I had the same holy-Merino experience with two pairs of merino wool socks. They were comfortable, my nails are kept clipped, but I was disappointed with the toe holes mid-sock.