Why We Make Climbing Socks in Japan

Before we learned more about climbing socks, we thought that they could easily be made at any sock factory around the world. 

Japan has been making socks for hundreds of years. Its a big industry. But its nowhere near as big as countries like China, Vietnam, or Turkey. 

Not to mention that making socks in Japan is not the cheapest option. 

But the more we learned about climbing socks, the more we learned that Japan is years ahead of every other country when it comes to making them.

The first climbing socks hit the market in Japan in 2007. They weren’t immediately popular. But even then, some pro climbers started wearing them. For example, Toru Nakajima (a V16 boulderer and pro climber) was an early user of Japanese climbing socks.

Those first Japanese climbing socks didn't have the Lockweave™ micro grip thread that we use on Gamba Socks today. But they did use the same sewing style…extremely thin but dense 200 needle count sewing. Japan already had a thriving luxury sock market using the same sewing method. And it turned out that the same method is also great for climbing socks worn in tight shoes.

Over the next decade, more features were added and dropped from the socks. Feedback loops with climbers were established. And different styles were made.  

Fast forward to 2025. We began researching every climbing sock we could buy. Including socks from Japan, Italy, Taiwan, Korea, and France. In total we tested over 22.5 unique pairs (one got lost and is still missing, let us know if you find it). It was a fascinating journey to learn everything we could about climbing socks. And even today we are still focused on learning more!

When we decided to try making our own sock, we looked at some factories outside of Japan. And we got some samples. But the non-Japanese factories just didn't have experience making climbing socks. In fact, I don't think they really even understood what the needs of real climbers are. It felt like going to a family doctor to treat a finger pulley injury - they just don't get it!

Japanese sock factories are the opposite. They are like specialists. They have a wealth of experience working directly with climbers to make great climbing socks.

Our mission is to make the best climbing socks we can and share them with climbers around the world.

And in light of that mission, Japan was the only choice we had!