Led by CEO and Founder Paden Sickles, SickFit, the first woman, minority, and veteran-owned sock company, is on a mission to change the world, starting with helping communities affected by the recent hurricanes.
“In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and as Florida braces for Hurricane Milton, my heart is heavy knowing the devastation these populations are facing,” Sickles explained. “In times like these, it’s the simple things—like socks—that can bring a bit of comfort amidst the chaos and distress. Protecting your feet is crucial for your health, but looking out for each other? That’s good for the soul. At SickFit, we believe in the power of giving back and giving forward, one pair of socks at a time.”
Beginning today, every pair of “hurricane socks” purchased on their website will be donated to hurricane victims along with a matched donation by SickFit (for example, if you buy 6 pairs of socks to donate, SickFit will send 12 to hurricane relief). (Click here to donate)
Sickles started her company after her socks failed her on a ruck. “I was finishing up Air Assault School and the last part was this 12-mile ruck,” Sickles shared with WATM in an earlier interview with Jessica Manfre. “My feet were absolutely destroyed by the end of it. I was walking into graduation limping, my feet still bleeding and absolutely miserable. I made it but I could barely walk across the stage.” With a background in engineering and economics and her MBA, Sickles started trying to find solutions. It wasn’t the boots that were killing her; it was her socks. Sickles started testing her initial products with Rangers and Green Berets. But eventually, it was everyone.
“The person who sits in an office all day to the person at Fort Drum whose feet are always cold. Even in Colorado, because it’s such a different climate, all of those factors matter in the kind of sock you need. I had to be meticulous to figure out what worked and didn’t,” Sickles explained. “I have one brother whose feet are always sweaty and another whose are always cold. Eventually, I was coming up with socks that worked for both. It really was about taking small things I knew as an engineer and applying them.” SickFit was born.
The beloved brand recently launched the SickFit World Tour, a promotional event that partners with corporate organizations and local community members to drive positive change.
At the inaugural SickFit World Tour stop in Atlanta at the Military Influencer Conference (MIC), artist Jaleel Wimbush (professionally known as Oskiade Jaleel) created a stunning mural made entirely of socks—the first of its kind (pictured above). The Sock Murals are the core of the World Tour stops, masterpieces that represent the organizations, the community, and the host city as a talking point and backdrop for event guests.
“The SickFit World Tour is about creating art that also contributes to a larger cause,” says Paden Sickles, Founder and CEO of SickFit. “The goal is to take this concept global, working with more partners and creating an ongoing ripple effect of art, awareness, and impact while we continue to showcase our most valuable product: socks.”
Following MIC, SickFit announced a donation of over 250 pairs of socks to those affected by Hurricane Helene, along with contributions of 50 socks each from Jarrad Turner of Veterans Technology Solutions and Daniel Sylvester of Holland & Knight LLP. These donations, valued at over $6,000, demonstrate the power of for-profit businesses working together to support those in need. This collaboration model highlights how businesses can unite to uplift their communities. Now, with Hurricane Relief Socks, Sickles is doing even more.
“Paden is such an inspiration with how she gives back to the community,” Dan Sylvester shared. “Donating these socks to those devastated by Hurricane Helene is a small sample of my inner-Paden coming out.”
Channel your inner-Paden and donate hurricane socks, today.