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Circular Fashion and Sock Recycling: Smartwool Second Cut Project

Circular Fashion and Sock Recycling: Smartwool Second Cut Project

Smartwool • August 21, 2025

At Smartwool, we believe that how you explore the outdoors should reflect how you care for the planet. Whether you're hiking alpine trails, running city streets, or chasing daylight on a family bike ride, the gear you wear makes a difference. Not just in how it performs, but in how it’s made and where it ends up.

The Smartwool Second Cut Project was born from a simple idea: what if your old socks could become part of your next great adventure? Socks may seem small, but they add up. Most end up in landfills where they take years to break down. We saw an opportunity to turn that waste into something useful. And so far the Second Cut Project has diverted nearly 2 million socks, keeping 150,00 pounds of perfectly good fabric materials out of landfills.

Through our growing sock recycling program, we’re collecting worn-out socks of any brand and transforming them into new products built to perform. This blog takes a closer look at where the Second Cut Project started, how it's evolving, and why circular design is the future of sustainable performance gear.

From Socks to Gear: The Circular Fashion Journey

The Second Cut Project began with a challenge: how to turn end-of-life socks into something useful. Most socks aren’t recyclable through curbside programs, so Smartwool built a new path.

Collected socks are shipped to Material Return, where they’re sorted, cleaned, and broken down into fiber. That fiber is spun into new yarn and used to create products like the Second Cut Sock. It’s the first Smartwool product made using repurposed yarn from old socks collected through the program.

In 2023, Smartwool expanded the project with Second Cut Resale, powered by thredUP. Allowing According to research from Green Story Inc., keeping just one item of clothing in use can extend its life by an average of 2.5 years. That kind of shift reduces waste, saves resources, and helps build a more circular apparel system.

Together, these efforts have diverted over 150,000 pounds of fabric from landfills. It’s a step toward a more circular system, one where gear isn’t just designed to perform, but designed to come back.

How To Participate in the Second Cut Project

Being part of the Second Cut Project is easy. Whether your socks are full of holes or just ready for retirement, you can send them in and give them new life or visit a participating retailer to drop off in person.

To recycle your socks, add a Second Cut Take Back Bag to your cart when you shop at smartwool.com. We’ll send you a prepaid mailer you can fill with used socks of any brand, any color, and any material. Seal it up and drop it in the mail, no sorting required.

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If your gear still has some life left in it, consider resale instead. Through Second Cut Resale, you can send in gently used apparel and accessories from any brand. You’ll earn Smartwool credit when your items sell, plus a 15% bonus on your payout if you choose Smartwool credit at checkout. It’s an easy way to clear out your closet and support a more sustainable way to shop.

Whether you’re sending in socks for recycling or giving gear a second chance through resale, you’re helping reduce waste and move toward a more circular future.

Second Cut Hike Sock: Circular Comfort, Trail-Tested

The first product to come out of the Second Cut Project isn’t just sustainable. It’s built to perform. The Second Cut Hike Sock combines Smartwool’s signature comfort, temperature regulation, and durable design with a circular approach to materials.

Made with responsibly sourced Merino wool and recycled yarn from old socks, this mid crew is ideal for all-weather hikes, early morning trails, or everyday wear when comfort matters. With cushioning underfoot and a secure fit, it’s made to keep up and keep going. And customers are noticing.

“These socks are super comfortable. Also, like all Smartwool socks they are clearly durable. For me, looks are important with socks. Nonetheless, I'm impressed with the look of these socks. In addition to comfort these are great socks for a cold day.” — Richard

Available now in men’s and women’s sizing, the Second Cut Hike Sock is a first look at the future of performance gear built to come full circle.

Second Cut Hike Sock: Circular Comfort, Trail-Tested

Available now in men’s and women’s sizing, the Second Cut Hike Sock is a first look at the future of performance gear built to come full circle.

Circular Fashion FAQs

Circular fashion is an approach to clothing design, production, and consumption that keeps products and materials in use for as long as possible. It prioritizes durability, reuse, repair, recycling, and responsible end-of-life options to reduce waste and environmental impact.

Through theSecond Cut Project, Smartwool recycles old socks into new products and offers a resale program for gently used apparel. These efforts help reduce textile waste and give high-quality gear a longer life.

You can send in socks of any brand, color, and material. The program is designed to keep as many textiles out of landfills as possible, no matter where they came from.

Smartwool apparel and accessories in good condition can be resold throughSecond Cut Resale, powered by thredUP. If accepted and sold, you’ll earn Smartwool credit plus a bonus for choosing the circular route.