I have been buying Kirkland’s Merino wool crew socks from Costco for fifteen years. When I first found them it was like discovering frugal fire – four pairs of buttery soft Merino wool socks for less than one pair of Smartwool AND dryer safe? I jumped in with both feet and never looked back. Until now.
I bought a new four pack this month and am wearing the first pair today. They are more expensive, much less soft, noticeably thinner and I could see my skin through the side panel when I put them on. Some of my OG Kirkland socks are still in rotation a decade later with only minor pilling on the soles, but new packs I’ve bought over the past couple years last 1-2 years max before the heels give out and sprout holes.
I know we live in a world of corporate compromise and increasing disposability, but they have finally come for my favorite socks and it’s breaking my heart. I plan to return them and life will go on, but today is for mourning. Good-bye, socks. You were a dependable friend and I will remember you fondly.
Kirkland Merino Wool Socks Broke My Heart Today
byu/Aphrae inFrugal
Posted by Aphrae
6 Comments
Another casualty to enshitification. RIP
The business of the US is business.
Damn – well I missed that whole entire sock boat start to finish. Sorry for your loss
I have been darning them with cool colours. Now I reach for the darned ones first because they are so comfy and cute. Darning is so relaxing and soothing.
I blame the Kroger CFO
I’ve recently learned to knit socks. The conventional wisdom/math is that it’s not “cost-effective” and only makes sense as a hobby. But I think we’re coming full circle to where at least some knitting (and gardening, my other main hobby) actually are cost-effective if you want a quality product.
I do feel this for knitting, especially. That’s not time I’d be otherwise making a conventional wage, it’s time I’m just watching TV and otherwise producing nothing but carbon dioxide, so the only input is materials. And sock yarn on sale isn’t that much to get good socks, which I can customize for high arches or wide ankles or whatever.