Both companies are doing things right when it comes to Bombas and Smartwool. They are using their business to do good for the planet, minimizing waste and maximizing value. Both companies have a wide variety of high-quality socks that will keep you warm and comfortable.
Bombas and Smartwool use recycled materials, organic cotton, and other sustainable resources. They also commit to minimizing their environmental footprint on the world around them.
In terms of price, these two brands are comparable. In many cases, the everyday customer will not notice a difference in quality between them, and they both have socks that can compare to just about any other brand out there.
The only real significant difference is in the company mission. Bombas don’t just want to make great socks, and they want to help people who need them most. Each time you purchase a pair of Bombas socks, they donate a pair to someone in need. It is the only sock company that gives a pair to those in need for each one you buy.
Smartwool also donates socks, which ensures that Smartwool can help support their outdoor community, but it is a limited demographic. Bombas gives socks to people of all ages and backgrounds so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of their products.
Bombas Overview
Bombas has developed a sock that delivers unmatched conservation of material, optimal comfort, fit, and durability. Bombas takes just two recycled plastic bottles to make every pair of socks they produce, compared with 26 used in traditional manufacturing.
Bombas are doing well as a company, but they are not perfect. For one, the company only recycles clean plastic bottles. It is a big issue because most recycling centers do not recycle dirty bottles for various reasons, including contamination which negatively affects the environment.
Secondly, Bombas uses dye in their products, something Smartwool does not do. Dyes can be problematic because the dyes used to color Bombas socks require a large amount of energy and water during production, which increases pollution and greenhouse gasses. Finally, Bombas is still using some virgin polyester in their socks.
Smartwool Overview
Smartwool is constantly working towards being as sustainable as possible, but they are not perfect either. Smartwool is trying to improve their recycling process to make their socks, but they still have a long way to go.
The company is trying to make their dyeing process more environmentally friendly, but they are still working on it. Smartwool uses virgin polyester in some of their socks.
Currently, efforts are being made to use recycled polyester in all Smartwool sock styles, but the company has not achieved this goal yet. However, unlike Bombas, Smartwool does not use dye that requires as much water and energy as Bombas’ dye process.
Bombas vs. Smartwool Comparison
Here’s everything that you should know about Bombas and Smartwool socks, including which one would be better for your situation!
Pros of Bombas Socks
- Most of their socks are made with recycled polyester, which is much better for the environment than virgin polyester used in most products today.
- Their dye process uses far less water and energy than other dyes.
Cons of Bombas Socks
- Bombas only recycles clean plastic bottles, which means that their claim of using recycled materials falls short.
- Bombas uses a dye that requires a lot of water and energy to produce, making it unsustainable.
- Although they are working on it, Bombas still uses virgin polyester in some of their socks.
- Bombas still uses a lot of unrecycled materials, which reduces the overall sustainability of their business
Pros of Smartwool Socks
- The company is constantly trying to make its products as sustainable as possible.
- Their dye process requires less water and energy than Bombas’.
- The company uses recycled polyester for most of its socks, making it an environmentally-friendly choice.
Cons of Smartwool Socks
- Although Smartwool is improving its recycling process to make all of its socks from recycled materials, they still have a long way to go.
- The company is still using virgin polyester in some of its products, not having reached its goal of making all Smartwool products from recycled materials yet.
- Smartwool does not use dye that requires less water and energy than other dyes used in Bombas socks.
When it comes to hiking and backpacking, both Bombas and Smartwool are good choices for socks. However, it seems that Bombas edges out Smartwool when you factor in the company’s sustainability initiatives and products.
Why Are These Brands Great for Hiking?
Below are reasons why the two brands are the best for backpacking and hiking:
- These socks are 100% pure and soft wool, making them very comfortable and durable.
- Bombas’ socks are mostly made from recycled materials, which is better for the environment than traditional materials used in most products today.
- Bombas uses a dye process that requires less water and energy, making it environmentally friendly.
- Smartwool has made efforts to reduce the footprint of its business by using recycled polyester in most of its products, which is better for the environment than virgin polyester used in other products today.
- Despite what some may think, wool performs well even when it is wet. When you’re out on your hiking or backpacking adventure, you’ll be surprised how a little bit of moisture will not affect the performance of your sock.
- Bombas and Smartwool both have high customer satisfaction ratings, meaning that they create good products that their customers want to repurchase again and again.
Conclusion
Both Bombas and Smartwool are great companies that make high-quality backpacking and hiking socks. However, Bombas edges out its competitor because it uses a dye process that requires less water and energy, better for the environment.
In addition to this, Bombas also makes most of its products from recycled materials, making it more sustainable than Smartwool. On the other hand, Smartwool has reduced its environmental footprint by using recycled polyester in most of its products and materials that require less water and energy to dye.
However, these socks still contain some virgin polyester, which reduces their overall sustainability.
