I grew tired of buying the standard large packs of socks (Hanes, etc) for running, only to have them break down and turn in to "footbags" (as my wife so eloquently calls them when they lose the elastic) after a few weeks. I bought 2 pairs of these socks around 3 months ago and they have held up well thus far. Also, you tend to be more careful about losing the singles when the socks cost $5.50/each ($11/pair).