I’ve been testing Darn Tough’s socks for over half a decade now and I really like the brand and its products. The socks are very comfortable, they always appear to be carefully made and they last very well. I’ve no shame in saying that I’ve got pairs in my sock drawer that are over five years old and they’re still going strong and actually don’t look anywhere close to wearing out.

The pair in focus here, the Darn Tough Fastpack Micro Crew, is a bit of a cross between a running sock and a hiking sock – as its name suggests. What this means is that it balances cushioning and support with breathability, so expect it to be quite thin but still padded underfoot.

If you want a hiking sock that’s super warm and padded throughout then look elsewhere – perhaps at the Helly Hansen Technical Alpine. But if you want something that’s geared towards summer performance then you’re in the right place.

Like most of Darn Tough’s socks the Fastpack Micro Crew uses a blend of 52% Nylon, 45% Merino Wool, 3% Lycra Spandex. This, I’ve found, results in a sock that wicks moisture really well, that dries fairly quickly and that just feels very comfortable to wear. It has a decent odour resistance too, though that fairly high nylon content does mean that it does have a threshold there.

Again, like all the Darn Tough socks I’ve tried, there are no niggly seams here and that means no potential flashpoints for blisters. It’s important to note, however, that the top of the sock (as in the part that covers the top side of the foot) is quite thin and low on padding and that means it’s light on protection there. If you like a sock with a bit of protective bulk up top then, again, look elsewhere – I’d say the Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew would be a good alternative.