I give K.Bell socks (the mallard ankle biters) a 2.2/5 rating. See the chart and other ratings here.
Socks are just one element of how we put together our style. They’re a way to be expressive and stand out in what can otherwise become a drab world of khaki pants and prim button downs. Goofy designs or unique patterns, fun socks, are a perfect way to add flair beyond the minimum. The other pair of socks I bought from Sock City in South Lake Tahoe was the K.Bell Mallard Ankle Biters. I think it’s safe to say these count as more than 1 piece of flair.
Pros
Quack. The design is incomparable. They’re so fun and they make me so happy every time I see them. Quack. How often do you see socks that seem to eat your legs from the ankle up?
Quack. I haven’t worn them for a long enough consecutive period of time to know for sure, but it seems like I won’t have the same leg hair issues that I have had with other dress socks. Time will tell. Quack.
Cons
If you position the toe seam just the right way and wear running shoes with a wide toe box, then you have a chance of not being offended by the toe seam. A chance. Given that dress socks are typically worn with dress shoes that aren’t as forgiving, goodbye toes.
The socks are super thin, but not in a good way. I feel unsupported and definitely don’t think I could go all day in these In the same vein, I don’t think they’d last me too long either.
Summary
I had 2 gut reactions to the K.Bell socks. The first came when I saw them on the rack: these are awesome and I must have them. The second came when I put them on for the first time: I don’t know how I’m ever going to actually wear these. You’d be quackers not to like the design. You’d be similarly quackers if you bring them to the top of your list of socks you want to wear. Comfort takes precedence over design in my book and these are not comfortable socks. Based on my experience with the mallard, I will not be buying any more K.Bell socks (unless I find another mind blowing design but truthfully, the mallard may be their pinnacle).
