Comments on: Keep ‘em toasty

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:27:41 +0000

Do you want people to DIE?!?! Cotton socks are pretty much the careless killers, the John DIllingers of the sock universe.

Don’t be misled by their generations-long association with the cuddly, cute, and mildly-disturbing-in-a-red-butted-way sock monkey.

It’s also too bad the wool socks on either side of your photo are completely invisible. How did you get your camera to make them that way? If people could see them, they might understand that you don’t have murder in your heart.

By: JaneenMcNiff

JaneenMcNiff — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:01:16 +0000

First, wanted to thank you for the post. I am an I.T. contractor and do some work for Fox River and their website, so have a lot of knowledge about this company and their products. They are a really great, down-to-earth, U.S.A. small family-owned business. I’m glad that you picked up on that Fox River makes LOTS of wool products, including many merino wool. I might add that the quality, in my opinion, is better than Smart Wool’s. Smart Wool is known for their marketing expertise — i.e. they put their money into making you believe their products are the best. (Not something I would want to pay for, but enough said) Just wanted to make a clarification on the gloves/Haiti thing on the last comment. The gloves are actually knit in the U.S.A., with some finishing in Haiti (sewing in liners, attaching leather palms, etc.). Fox River actually got backed in to acquiring this plant in a bankruptcy situation where they stood to lose a lot because of a large, outstanding order. They have been unwilling to jettison since, as the workers there (in the poorest country in the Americas) rely on those jobs. I will talk to the owners about making a full statement about the Haiti situation on their website. But I want you to know, Fox River is committed to staying in the U.S.A. and only has the Haiti connection out of necessity and humanitarian concerns, not to get cheap labor.

Also, surprised to hear anybody still wears the Rockford Red Heels. Though I have heard people say they love the softness (probably a lounge around the house thing rather than a survive in the cold, rugged weather thing. They do make adorable sock monkeys, and I have made many myself!

By: DGM

DGM — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:13:59 +0000

The Fox River gloves are also very nice, but it seems they are made in Haiti. I wish they’d try to find another US maker to collaborate with.

By: yuko

yuko — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:20:31 +0000

“and he would of survived… if he hadn’t been wearing those COTTON SOCKS”

By: yuko

yuko — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:56:35 +0000

am i the only one that is slightly disturbed by the look of the red heel?

By: Corbyn

Corbyn — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:17:51 +0000

Great Post!! I am born, raised and live in Rockford IL. We are real proud of the sock monkey.

By: Gophers

Gophers — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:54:09 +0000

Ever Tried socks by Railroad Socks Co.? I believe they are made in USA – saw them down at the fleet farm.

By: kim

kim — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 01:46:57 +0000

glad to know i’m not the only person who wants to wear my bean boots even in good weather.

By: Brian Miller

Brian Miller — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:09:24 +0000

You can’t even post a story about socks without getting haters and know-it-alls. Good Lordy.

By: Adam K

Adam K — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 03:30:33 +0000

I got 6 pairs of red heel socks for Xmas – wearing some now! They are nice but not warm, I’ll wear them throughout the warmer months. Wool socks are the best – I’ll probably be buying some fox river wool socks soon.