Boardroom Socks is a small US based, family owned business known for their high quality dress socks, they spent over a year perfecting their no show sock according to Nathan James, the company CEO.
Before we start, you can check out my comprehensive no-show socks guide which includes all of the no-show socks I’ve worn and tested over the years.
And now let’s get into this Boardroom Socks No-Show Socks Review.
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Boardroom Socks
Nathan asked me for feedback on a pair of merino wool prototype knits he sent prior to their production run and I was happy to provide my honest opinion since I’ve spent years testing and wearing a myriad of no-show sock brands. After a few months of back and forth, I finally received a finished product. I’m happy to report that they knocked it out of the park on their first go-round.
Material: 74% Merino Wool, 24% Nylon, 2% Spandex
1. Comfort & Fit: 5/5
The Boardroom Socks no-shows are some of the most comfortable and perhaps lightweight/breathable pair I’ve worn. They are certainly made for those hot summer days. This isn’t surprising considering their dress socks are some of my favorites in my rotation.
Additionally, the no show sock is made primarily with a soft merino wool which is a fantastic warm weather fabric. They not only fit great, but are quite comfortable as well. Coming in 2 sizes of shoe size 7-9.5 and 10-12, there’s a fit for most guys. Furthermore, there is a seamless toe design and heel which adds to the sock’s all-day-long comfort, it really does feel like you’re wearing nothing at all.
2. Design & Style Options: 5/5
Boardroom Socks currently have a 2-pack of no-show socks in black and beige. I advocated for a beige (tan) color and Nathan agreed that a skin colored no-show sock is a must as it helps to keep the sock hidden with even the lowest of vamps.
I’m sure that they’ll include additional colors like classic navy and gray eventually. (Yep, they recently added a grey, brown and navy color, which I’ve added to my ever growing no-show sock collection 😅). I also have a sample white pair that Nathan sent me as well which is inline with traditional socks. After all, white tube socks are still the most commonly worn socks till this day.
And while, I’m usually against branding on products, and as you can see there’s the Boardroom branding across the front of the socks. I don’t mind it though as many other brands feature their logo as well. Completely appropriate for socks, IMO.
3. Does it Slip?
Nope. The socks haven’t slipped once since I started wearing them last summer. The no-slip silicone heel grip is extra thin and minimal (unlike some other brands out there) which aids in its comfort and tendency to stay up all day long. Out of all the brands on this list, Boardroom is the most similar to Sheec Active X in terms of design, style comfort and overall value.
4. No-Show Test: 3/4
Boardroom Socks passes the no show test in 3 out of the 4 pairs of shoes. The only one where it’s slightly visible is with the super low vamp Jay Butler penny loafers. This is where the skin colored sock comes in handy as it blends in with my skin and isn’t as visible as a white pair for example.
5. The Bottom Line: 5/5 ★★★★★
‘Made in the USA’ (North Carolina), a phrase that’s getting harder and harder to come by in the world of menswear. Boardroom Socks was founded over a decade ago and continues to stay true to their mission and family tradition.
Through my email interactions with Nathan and his thoughtful holiday cards, I can tell that he’s an all-around great person and I was happy when he reached out asking for my feedback on his no-show socks. They definitely delivered and some. Looking forward to catching up with him in person one of these days.
Coming in at $27.95 for a 2-pack they’re on the higher side for no shows, but certainly well worth it.
Boardroom Socks: A Quick Background
Boardroom Socks is a family-owned company that specializes in producing high-quality dress socks for men that can be found on Amazon or their website. The brand is known for its commitment to craftsmanship, classic styles, and the use of premium materials. Boardroom Socks has positioned itself as a provider of luxury dress socks that cater to professionals and those who appreciate well-made, durable hosiery.
Here’s some background on the company.
1. Founding and History:
- Founded by: Boardroom Socks was founded by Mike James and Nathan James, a father-and-son duo, in 2010.
- Headquarters: The company is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
- Family-Owned: The James family has a long history in the textile industry, with a focus on manufacturing high-quality socks. Boardroom Socks was born out of their desire to create premium dress socks made in the USA.
2. Product Focus:
- Dress Socks: Boardroom Socks specializes in men’s dress socks, offering a range of styles that include over-the-calf, mid-calf, and no-show dress socks.
- Classic Designs: The brand is known for its classic designs, including solid colors, ribbed patterns, and traditional motifs like houndstooth and stripes. These designs are tailored for professional settings and formal occasions.
- Premium Materials: The socks are made from high-quality materials such as merino wool, Pima cotton, and other fine fibers, chosen for their comfort, durability, and breathability.
3. Made in the USA:
- American Manufacturing: One of the key selling points of Boardroom Socks is that their products are proudly made in the USA. The company emphasizes supporting local manufacturing and skilled craftsmanship by producing its socks in North Carolina, a region with a rich history in textile manufacturing.
- Ethical Production: The brand focuses on ethical production practices, ensuring that workers involved in the manufacturing process are treated fairly and work in safe environments.
4. Customer Experience:
- Focus on Fit and Comfort: Boardroom Socks places a strong emphasis on providing socks that fit well, stay up throughout the day, and offer exceptional comfort. Their over-the-calf socks, in particular, are designed to prevent slipping or bunching around the ankles.
- Sizing Options: The company offers a range of sizes to ensure a proper fit for different foot sizes and preferences.
5. Distribution and Availability:
- E-Commerce: Boardroom Socks primarily sells its products online through its own website, allowing customers to conveniently purchase their socks from anywhere.
- Direct-to-Consumer Model: By focusing on a direct-to-consumer business model, Boardroom Socks is able to offer high-quality products at competitive prices without the markup often associated with luxury brands.
- Subscription Service: The company offers a subscription service for customers who want to regularly receive new pairs of socks, ensuring they always have fresh, high-quality dress socks on hand.
6. Sustainability and Quality:
- Durability: Boardroom Socks is committed to creating products that are not only stylish but also durable. The use of high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship ensures that the socks can withstand frequent wear and washing.
- Sustainability: The company’s focus on ethical manufacturing and the durability of its products contribute to a more sustainable approach to fashion, as customers can rely on their socks lasting longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
7. Brand Values:
- Heritage and Tradition: Boardroom Socks values the heritage and tradition of American textile manufacturing and seeks to preserve this through its commitment to producing high-quality products domestically.
- Customer Satisfaction: The brand places a high priority on customer satisfaction, offering excellent customer service and a satisfaction guarantee to ensure that buyers are happy with their purchases.
Boardroom Socks has earned a reputation for its dedication to quality, American craftsmanship, and classic style. The brand appeals to professionals who appreciate well-made dress socks that are both comfortable and durable.
Why Wear No-Shows?
No More Stink Feet
If you want to avoid the stank, no-show socks are the answer. Just say no to athlete’s foot and fungus feet. Ew.
Fresher Shoes
In addition to rotating your shoes daily and making use of sneaker balls, rocking no show socks are a surefire way to keep your footwear smelling fresh all summer long.
Stay Stylin’
There’s a reason that this stylish guy’s secret has become a summer staple. The sockless look has been on trend for a while now and isn’t going away anytime soon. Rock this look and you automatically get the style points.
Qualities of Best No-Show Socks
1. Comfy
Of course comfort is king here. You want for the socks to fit well and hug your feet without feeling restricting. The best no show socks feel like you’re wearing nothing at all and offer multiple sizes to guarantee a proper fit. As with shirts and jeans, the fit of your socks should be tailor-made. Socks with simple design and a seamless toe are what to look for.
2. Lighter
It’s summertime and the more lightweight and breathable your socks, the better off your feet will be. I prefer lightweight fabrics since more often than not I’ll be wearing my no-shows in the summertime and I want my feet to keep cool as possible.
3. No-Slipping
There’s nothing more annoying than the feeling of a no-show sock that won’t stay put. All of the no show socks tested in this round-up have an elastic arch band and a rubber non-slip heel, which helps to keep the socks secured around your foot. But that doesn’t guarantee no-slip since factors such as the rubber gripper, fabric weight and sock size play a role. Just because a brand says ‘no-slip’ doesn’t mean it won’t slip.
4. No-Showing
Of course this is a primary purpose of this article. Does it show? The whole reason for wearing them is to keep our feet and shoes fresh, and just as importantly, remain invisible. The best no show sock brands have a variety of designs ranging from a low-cut, mid-cut and high-cut for different types of shoes and sneakers.
5. Affordability
And finally, price always plays a role. It’s all about value here and if I can save some money, all the better. I don’t mind paying a bit more for higher quality. But some socks are a bit pricey and that can hurt their bottom line.
The Shoes I Tested
Sperry Boat Shoes
The ubiquitous Sperry Top-Sider boat shoe is one of the most iconic and popular summer shoes out there. And while most Sperrys would be okay to wear sockless because of their leather lining, some, like the canvas pair in this test have a fabric lining, thus suitable to pair with no show socks.
Classic Vans
These canvas Vans sneakers have a low-profile making them the perfect test sneaker. If the socks aren’t visible here, then they’ll most likely remain invisible on any other low-top sneakers.
Cole Haan Bit Loafers
Loafers are some of the lowest profile shoes a man can wear. They’re one of my favorite shoe essentials for all stylish men, so naturally they’re a part of this no show sock test.
Jay Butler Penny Loafers
I had to include what are perhaps loafers with the lowest cut that I know of. The vamp of the shoe is much lower than your typical penny loafer, making these shoes the perfect test shoe. If a pair of no-shows don’t show in a pair of Jay Butler loafers, then they won’t show in any other shoe.
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The best no-show sock brands offer a range of cuts from low-cut to mid-cut and high-cut socks good for wear with everything from boat shoes, loafers and espadrilles to moccasins and sneakers.
How to Care For Your No-Show Socks
Before we conclude, I thought it was a good idea to quickly go over some no-show sock care tips.
- Machine wash with like colors
- Keep them out of the dryer (tumble dry low if necessary)
- Avoid bleaching or ironing
And finally, mind your fabric weights. A heavier weight fabric is more appropriate for chunkier sneakers whereas a lightweight fabric is better for canvas sneakers, boat shoes and loafers.
In Conclusion
I have a couple of closing thoughts on no show socks that I wanted to share, not that this article isn’t already long enough.
1. One Size Fits All Is A Lie
When it comes to fit, there’s no such thing as one size fits all, especially when it comes to shoe sizes. Which is why I’m skeptical anytime I see a no-show sock brand with one size. Oftentimes they’re too big and bunches up around the heel and ankle when I try to slip my shoes on. And even worse, these one size no-show socks are prone to slip much easier than properly sized ones.
2. Fabric Weight Matters
I’ve found that the thicker the sock the higher probability for it to slip, whereas lighter the fabric the less prone to slipping.
3. The Best No Show Sock No-Slip Grip
For the most part every brand’s silicone grippers hold well, but the best hold come from Sheec’s extra thin hybrid solid/crosshatch grip. Boardroom Socks, Feetures and Pair of Thieves also offers a similarly strong grip. The next best are the brands with 3 band silicone grippers.
And finally, FITS Socks takes the cake with their fully knitted, one-piece construction. The seamless design eliminates the need for a silicone grip and the socks still stay up. Now that’s a win-win.
Before You Go
Check out these other top rated no-show sock reviews:
- Pair of Thieves No-Show Sock Review
- Stomper Joe No-Show Sock Review
- Feetures No-Show Sock Review
- Stance No-Show Sock Review
- Fits No-Show Socks Review
- Falke No-Show Socks Review
- Uniqlo No-Show Socks Review
- Sheec No-Show Socks Review
What are your favorite pairs of no-show socks?
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