Gear Review: Darn Tough Men’s Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock

Gear Review: Darn Tough Men’s Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock

“We make one thing, and we make it better than anyone else” is the mission statement on Darn Tough’s website from founder Ric Cabot.

A sock with a tough history. 20 years ago, desperate and on the verge of losing the family business, Darn Tough Vermont was born. When manufacturing jobs began to move offshore and the business started failing, 2004 saw the company knit the first Darn Tough sock.

Needing somewhat of a Hail Mary, the company decided to hand out 3,500 pairs at the Vermont City Marathon for free. No marketing, instead a simple promise: if you can wear out our socks, we’ll replace them for free. Two decades later that promise still stands.

We hikers spend a lot of time talking about having the correct gear. Be it a suitable waterproof, good fitting boots or various layers to keep us comfortable on our adventures. One thing that in my experience gets overlooked is the gear we wear that sits closest to our skin.

In recent years socks have definitely become more of a factor when thinking about the gear I am buying for any walk or hike.

In the past I’ve had blisters from choosing cheaper or poor quality socks – mainly because I didn’t give it much thought. There is nothing worse than being in the middle of a hike with blisters or uncomfortable rubbing because your socks have slipped down.

Height: Micro Crew

Weight: Lightweight

Product Details:

Materials: 52% Nylon, 45% Merino Wool, 3% Lycra Spandex

  • Men’s micro crew socks average 21.5 cm. from heel to cuff – expect them to show about 15 cm. above a low hiking shoe or just above a standard hiking boot.
  • A performance fit means no slipping, no bunching, no blisters for peak hiking comfort.
  • Merino Wool naturally moves moisture to keep feet fresh and dry in all weather.
  • Lightweight socks breathe naturally and deliver flexible, all-day comfort for summer hiking.
  • Machine washable

We were sent several pairs from the latest hike/trek range to try out on our travels. Made from Merino wool we were eager to hit the trails and find out exactly what Darn Tough were all about. Below is my review of the Darn Tough – Men’s Hiking Socks.

Made from Merino Wool these socks are incredibly comfortable and soft on the feet. Pulling them on for the first time they felt very soft and silky and felt as though they might be a little tight on the feet. But this was not the case – they almost instantly felt part of my foot.

To start with we tested the socks with several hikes in the Peak District, Laddow Rocks, Lud’s Church and Chrome Hill (Dragon’s Back) which were wet and boggy conditions. We then hiked Goat Fell Mountain in Scotland and then most recently Snowdon in Wales.

It is also worth adding that the boots I chose to hike in were old and have several rips holes in them. I thought this would really put the socks through their paces.

As mentioned above in the past I have neglected the importance of socks and focused on purchasing expensive gear that ‘looks the part’ and because of this have often had to double layer my socks as a result.

On all of the walks, my feet felt comfortable and well protected. The Peak District hikes were severely wet and boggy due to the nature of the terrain. Often crossing streams and my feet definitely getting wet. The strange part? I knew my feet were wet, however, unlike previous occasions there was no rubbing or any uncomfortable feeling at all.

I’m not sure what depressing socks I usually wear but one thing that came up on this first walk was Louise saying she “felt happy just looking at the little mountains rising up from my ankles”.

I’m yet to come across any real negatives to these lightweight socks. Okay at between £25 – £30 a pair they are on the expensive side, however, I really believe you get what you pay for and with a lifetime guarantee you really can’t go far wrong.

They are machine washable and after half a dozen washes they still feel as soft and silky as they did the very first time I pulled a pair on.

Although expensive the quality of these socks is really on show in my opinion. I’ve tested out several different styles and brands of socks over the years and I must say that Darn Tough have changed the way I think about my feet and the protection they need on hikes.

We were sent several pairs to test out over a matter of months, however, after a number of weeks I was so impressed by the Darn Tough brand that I bought several more pairs to my growing collection of hiking socks. Turns our Darn Tough are darn good!



Author

  • Mike Richardson

    Mike is a Mancunian who is usually found hiking the Mountains in the Lake District. He has a passion for the outdoors and loves a pint after a day in the Mountains.

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