When you’re walking a long way over tough terrain, you want a sock that offers three essential things: durability, a great fit and comfort. And in the longer-term, those ‘four for a tenner’ sports socks from down the market probably aren’t going to cut it. But if you’re going to fork out on a premium hiking sock, you want one that’s going to last the distance – literally. So, why not turn to the company that has been the sock of choice for countless US long-distance hikers? Plus, Darn Tough are so confident in the performance and quality of their products that every pair comes with a lifetime guarantee.
I’ve been using Darn Tough socks for years now. In fact, I’ve got a couple of pairs that I’ve owned for over half a decade – and they’re still going strong! As a full-time outdoor gear reviewer, I own a lot of hiking socks and, when I’m rummaging through my sock drawer ahead of a hike, it’s always my Darn Tough’s that I’m looking for.
Who Are The Darn Tough Hiker Socks For?
As the name suggests, they’re for hikers and go well with walking shoes and light hiking boots. The quarter height makes these a good fit for trail shoes as well. From my own experience, I’d say these are excellent for just general three-season hiking. I regularly wear them on hot summer days without issue and I’ll tend to push them right into the shoulder seasons too.
Materials
A quality hiking sock should almost always have a high proportion of Merino wool in the fabric blend. After all, Merino is nature’s very own miracle-fibre – it’s soft, moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating and naturally anti-microbial.
Why not just make socks from 100% Merino then? Well, you could – and indeed, some sock manufacturers do. The problem is that since the material is so soft, it’s not always very durable. And wool is also not known for great shape retention, particularly after regular washing (which, let’s face it, is a must when it comes to walking socks).
