A Step Toward Circular Fashion
Every year, billions of socks end up in landfills—often made from blends of fibers that make them difficult to recycle. Smartwool, long recognized as a leader in performance merino wool apparel, decided to tackle this challenge head-on. In 2021, they launched the Second Cut™ Project, a first-of-its-kind sock take-back program designed to keep textiles out of landfills and extend the life cycle of gear.
The premise is simple: send in your used socks—any brand, any condition—and Smartwool ensures they’re collected and repurposed. Instead of joining the growing mountains of discarded clothing, these socks are ground down and reimagined into new products such as insulation, materials for dog beds, and even Smartwool’s own future designs. Since launch, the company has recycled over 1 million socks, diverting more than 86,000 pounds of waste from landfills.
From Take-Back to Give-Back
What makes Second Cut unique is its focus on community participation. You can request a free, prepaid mail-in bag when ordering from Smartwool’s website. Fill it with your tired, hole-ridden socks and drop it off—your small action becomes part of a much bigger impact.
In 2023, Smartwool expanded the initiative through a partnership with thredUP, launching the Second Cut™ Resale program. Customers can now resell gently-worn Smartwool apparel and shop pre-loved pieces, keeping high-quality gear in circulation longer while earning shopping credit toward new purchases.
Introducing Second Cut Products in the Fall Line
Meet the star of the season: Smartwool’s new Second Cut products. From fleece jacket, vest and ultra-soft ½ zips to fleece-lined slippers that are perfect for lounging fireside.
[From left to right, top to bottom]
Women’s Second Cut Fleece Vest in Deep Navy (on the model)
Women’s Second Cut Fleece Vest in Charcoal
Women’s Second Cut Fleece Jacket in Pacific Blue
Women’s Second Cut Fleece Pullover in Pacific Blue
Coming soon! Second Cut Fleece Slipper in Charcoal
[From left to right, top to bottom]
Men’s Second Cut Fleece Vest in Winter Moss (on the model)
Men’s Second Cut Fleece Vest in Deep Navy
Men’s Second Cut Fleece 1/2 Zip in Winter Moss
Coming soon! Second Cut Fleece Slipper in Winter Moss
Coming soon! Men’s Second Cut Fleece Jacket in Charcoal
By integrating recycled content into new products, Smartwool is showing that the Second Cut program is not just about recycling—it’s about building a circular ecosystem where yesterday’s socks become tomorrow’s essentials.
Why It Matters
The fashion industry is one of the largest global polluters, and waste is a big part of that story. Programs like Smartwool’s Second Cut™ challenge us to rethink the end of life for our clothing. Instead of tossing out, we can give back—and in doing so, help fuel new, innovative products that support outdoor adventures for years to come.
So, the next time you discover a lonely sock with a hole in the toe, don’t throw it out. Send it to Smartwool and be part of the circular fashion movement. Because in the right hands, even the most worn-out socks have a second life.
