I actually already have three pair of them from a previous order...and they are very thick in the foot and rib-knit in the calf up to a top which is about 6 or 7 inches long and flat knit. I wear a US men's 9 shoe, got the large size and they fit well. As to whatever makes them seconds...can't really notice anything myself.
I was going crackers looking for kilt hose and finding the color choices limited and most of the suppliers in the UK...the dark olive ones are a little bit longer than the olive heather and I can fold the dark olive over twice while the olive heather only once.

KiltedCodeWarrior: same ones that I had on at Celtic Fest.

best

auld argonian