Darn Tough Vermont is a well-known maker of top quality socks. Time and again, I‘ve watched YouTube videos from thru-hikers that are using Darn Tough socks. For me, this speaks volumes. Thru-hikers on the AT, PCT, and CDT will spend 6 or more months completing their journey. When these people wholeheartedly recommend a product the way they recommend Darn Tough Vermont, you know these socks are good.
Darn Tough Vermont makes all of their socks right there in, you guessed it, Vermont. “Nobody ever outsources anything for quality”, is in big letters on the Darn Tough website. These guys take their business seriously. An incredible guarantee backs up Darn Tough Vermont socks. Straight from the website, “Our unconditional lifetime guarantee is simple and without strings or conditions. If our socks are not the most comfortable, durable and best fitting socks you have ever owned, return them for another pair. No strings. No conditions. For life.” I have to say that I‘ve never been able to take them up on their warranty, and I‘ve had some Darn Tough cycling socks for a few years now.
I tested three pair of Darn Tough Vermont hiking socks. The ATC Sock Micro Crew Cushion is a special edition product from Darn Tough. They donate 5 percent of the sales of this sock to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to help them with outdoor education programs and maintaining the AT, America‘s first national scenic trail. This sock offers mid level cushion density under the foot and the top of the sock just peeks out above the top of a hiking boot. The fabric of this sock is 63% Merino Wool, 34% Nylon, 3% Lycra Spandex. This sock works great in my hiking boots and I like wearing them to work.
The Haselton Hiker Micro Crew Light Cushion is a bit thinner and cooler than the ATC sock. Darn Tough says the light cushion construction is their most versatile. They worked really well on a 23 mile hike through the Ouachita mountains and they get to go with me to the office as well. Just like the ATC sock, these are a micro crew height but have a different blend of fabric. These are made of 49% Nylon, 47% Merino Wool, and 4% Lycra Spandex.
Third, I tested the Via Ferrata Hiking Boot Cushion Socks. These are heavier socks offering full cushioning throughout the entire sock. Since they are thicker, these socks are a bit warmer and the regular crew style is about 2 inches taller than the micro crew. I‘ll wear these around town during the winter but they are a bit warm for southern summers. The fabric is made with higher wool content. It is 68% Merino Wool, 28% Nylon, and 4% Lycra Spandex.
All three pairs of these socks are made with Darn Tough‘s True Seamless™construction. I can‘t feel the seam at the end of the sock. Darn Tough puts the seam on top of the toes and they eliminate the extra looseness found in some socks. None of the socks slipped around on my feet and I haven‘t gotten a single blister while wearing these socks. The Merino wool kept my feet dry in heavy hiking boots and the socks didn‘t smell too bad after a 3 day trip. Prices range from $20 to $23 which some may consider high for socks. I used to think so but Merino wool socks last so much longer than cheap cotton socks there is no comparison. The comfort of socks made with Merino wool is just the best. Check out the Darn Tough Vermont website by clicking here.
Mark
I‘d like to thank Darn Tough Vermont for the test samples. We at Industry Outsider have limited budgets, and the ability to provide honest, useful information on gear hopefully benefits everybody.