In this Darn Tough sock review, you’ll discover why I highly recommend these socks and why you need to buy some today.
Want a few key points now?
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- Darn Tough socks are durable as all get out. Let me say this, it took my husband over 2 years to put holes in his Darn Tough work socks. I don’t think you understand he puts holes in everything in literally two seconds. He is the ultimate test. 2 years is a feat.
- These socks are odor resistant. Due to the incredible benefits of merino wool, these socks take twice as long to start to stink. Hello, multiple wears and fewer loads of laundry.
- These socks are guaranteed for life. That’s right. These socks are ethically sourced from happy sheep from New Zealand and the U.S. They are also made in the U.S. and are a great business to support.
Why I Recommend Darn Tough Socks
Comfort
First, not only are these socks functional, but they are comfortable. With built-in cushioned padding in the soles, the socks are built to last for miles and miles of trekking while delivering maximum comfort. The merino wool is cozy and soft and is well-equipped to keep your feet warm and dry in various climates.
Just don’t expect the plush softness of cotton socks. While merino wool isn’t itchy, it isn’t as soft as its cotton-only counterpart. If you’re looking for the softest Darn Tough sock, try a pair from their Twisted Wool section.
Durable
I’m not sure how the Darn Tough team does it. The way the merino wool is woven together is a method that creates an incredibly strong sock.
As I said earlier, my husband is the ultimate test on clothing. Everything I buy him gets holes put in it within a month, sometimes sooner. He lives hard and doesn’t stop to baby his clothing or shoes for one second. He also works a very physical job where he walks all day and climbs ladders, etc. And when he gets on the phone, he paces outside on our driveway in his Darn Tough socks. He has spent hours doing this.
It took him over 2 years to put holes in the heels of some of his work socks after all this use. We are very impressed with the durability of these socks.
Superior Design
Darn Tough uses three main ingredients in their socks: wool, nylon, and Lycra. Merino wool is the specific type of wool used, which has many benefits. A sock made out of purely wool wouldn’t hold its shape, so that’s where the nylon comes in. Nylon is a synthetic fabric known for adding strength to woven products.
Lycra is the trademarked name of a particular type of spandex material in the U.S. This material gives the socks the small amount of stretch needed to functionally slide on and conform to movement.
Fit and Sizing
Darn Tough designs and sells their socks within certain size ranges. This means you’ll have to choose between three different sizes when buying your socks, similar to shoes. The socks are designed with the least amount of stretch needed to maintain maximum functinality. This aspect helps the sock stay in place during long hikes or days on the job.
This is not a one size fits all product like many others socks. The fit is designed to achieve a certain function. Not to mention, the colors and aesthetic designs Darn Tough offers are fun and different.
Darn Tough Sock Review – Merino Wool
It feels like every time I review a high-quality and top-performing item, it uses merino wool in some capacity. So, what’s the big deal with merino wool?
Merino wool is a raw material that is collected by shearing Merino Sheep. The quality of the wool depends on what part of the animal the wool was gathered from. The belly wool is more coarse than other parts of the sheep.
The coarse wool is excellent for carpets and other hardy items, while the softer, more premium wool is used for Darn Tough socks and other clothing items. Merino wool is a much more sustainable product compared to synthetic fabrics because it is produced by sheep and sheared every spring. It only takes a few ingredients for a sheep to produce this amazing product year after year–water, sunshine, and grass.
In addition to being a more sustainable fabric, merino wool is also naturally odor-resistant, thermoregulating, and moisture-wicking.
Odor Resistant
This is another feature that my husband has proven again and again. When he works long hours every day of the week, he has worn his Darn Tough work socks a few days in a row. Shockingly, we can report that these socks are incredibly odor resistant for up to 2 – 3 days, depending.
Thermoregulating
This feature is an impressive one as well. The natural crimps in the wool fibers allow for pockets of heat to be held or released depending on the climate.
I will say that living in South Louisiana, both my husband and I find that thermoregulation works better to keep us warm when it is cool vs. cool when it is warm with our particular weather.
Moisture Wicking
This feature is really nice. Even though I’d say the socks tend to keep my feet a little too warm when it is hot outside, I will say the moisture-wicking function is top rate and leaves my feet feeling dry.
$20 – $25 Socks for Real?
The price point of socks in the realm of Darn Tough is all around the same range. If you look at picking up any sort of specific running or hiking sock, be prepared to pay over $20 per pair.
If this may seem a little absurd, you’ve probably never purchased or worn a high-quality sock. Just know that this price is indeed the going rate and is worth the benefits of the lifetime guarantee and supporting an American-made product.
Darn Tough Sock Review: My Experience
My personal experience with Darn Tough has been an excellent one. While I don’t wear them as much as my husband does, I have worn mine a good deal to hike and hunt.
I’d definitely say to expect these socks to perform over long treks. My thicker hiking socks are just that, thicker, so sometimes these socks are harder to wear with tighter everyday shoes. For my pair of shorter no-show socks, I have found that I may have needed to size them up. These socks fit a little too snugly, compared to my longer hiking socks.
Made in Vermont, U.S.
Darn Tough as a company has a pretty stellar resume. They are a family-owned and operated business that fabricates all Darn Tough products in its Vermont facilities in America.
While most of Darn Tough’s Merino wool is sourced out of New Zealand (apparently New Zealand sheep are just happier), some of their tactical socks are completely sourced in the U.S. Berry Amendment Compliant.
Darn Tough Review – Lifetime Guarantee
Darn Tough prides itself on making a durable and lasting product. Not only do these socks outperform any other sock that has ever come through my home, but when or if it doesn’t hold up, you can exchange your holey sock for a new pair.
The exchange system is an honor system and only covers holes that are a result of use, this is an excellent policy for a premium product to offer. This guarantee doesn’t cover fire or pet damage and certainly doesn’t cover the loss.
Having said all that, you should probably just buy another pair to support the company for making such a stellar product.
Sustainability
Darn Tough isn’t a sustainable brand. They do however make strong products that last, which makes users need to buy socks less overall. The Darn Tough team is still committed to reassessing their products and their manufacturing approach to lower the effect their business has on the planet.
Darn Tough Socks for Christmas
For the past two years, we have gotten our family a pair of Darn Tough socks as part of their Christmas gift. With fun patterns and top-level functionality, these have proved to be excellent gifts that our family enjoys and uses often throughout the year.
You can find Darn Tough socks on Amazon and a larger selection on their own website. Be sure to check out the list of approved Amazon stores that sell true Darn Tough socks because there are quite a few copycat brands out there that do a good job of mimicking the brand.
