GEAR REVIEW: Darn Tough Vermont socks
Manufacturer: Darn Tough
Gender and sizes available: Women’s, men’s, and kid’s, Small, Medium, Large
Price: $15.00- $30.00 USD
Availability: While there are currently no international retailers, there are online companies that ship internationally including: www.socksaddict.com, www.alpenglowgear.com, www.rei.com
And for those living state side; the socks can be found at almost any outdoor store as big as REI and as small as the local mom and pop shop
Pros: Durability, Color choices, Sizing
Cons: Price
This summer I hiked 1400 km (870 miles) in one pair of Coolmax Micro Crew Cushion socks. I slipped my feet into the socks every morning weather they were wet or dry, and hiked up to 30 km (19 miles) per day in them. When it comes to base layer materials, I’m a diehard merino junkie, especially in regards to socks. But these synthetic socks proved themselves to be more than capable of keeping my feet dry (at least from sweat) and blister and irritation free.
For my day job I run sled dogs, and I need to keep my feet dry and warm in temperatures as cold as -40° (Fun Fact: -40° is the same in both Celsius and Fahrenheit). My Merino Hiker Boot Socks (Full Cushion) make regular appearances on my feet during the winter. While it’s ideal to keep you feet dry in the winter, when you run into open water on the trail it can prove to be impossible. Many Huskies do not like getting their feet wet, and on this particular day the dogs were not having it. The only way to get the team across was by leading the team down the trail myself, and in turn getting very wet feet, soaking in fact. I made it across the water with ice cold water filling my boots. I ringed out the excess water, put my socks and boots back on and kept going. That’s the thing about wool, it will still keep you warm when wet, even soaking wet.
Overview
Darn Tough is a Vermont based brand that offers quality socks with a quality guarantee. They are serious about durability, and will replace a pair of worn out socks with no strings attached. They take pride in the fact that 100% of their products are made in their Vermont mill. If you don’t believe them, check out their website. They post customer confessions about their socks which are both telling and entertaining.
Comfort and Durability
Durability, I could write you an essay on the durability of Darn Toughs. I have been a big Darn Tough fan for about three years now, and I have only worn through one pair of socks. My Merino Hiker Boot Socks (Full Cushion) wore this at the heels after about two years of consistent use. In those two years I hiked for three weeks in New Zealand, walked the city streets, and spent countless hours on the back of my dog sled. Those socks had travelled the world before being sent back to Vermont to be replaced.
Price
These socks don’t come cheap. At $19.00 USD a pair, it’s a lot to spend on ‘just socks’. However, you are not buying ‘just socks’. Darn Toughs are not outsourced, they knit all of their socks at their Vermont mill. This means they know exactly what goes into each sock, and that their eyes are highly focused on quality. So, you are not just buying socks, you’re investing in them. With their manufacturing standards and guarantee, Darn Tough has hit the nail on the head when it comes to product and customer care.
Color and Style
Darn Tough not only makes high quality products, but they also have fashion in mind. Their socks come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. From chevron to polka dots, and neon green to forest green. Whatever your style is, they have you covered. If you’re not into bright colors or anything too jazzy; they have socks in more subdued colors in their hunting and work lines.
What they don’t offer, socks in solid colors. But where’s the fun in that?
