Gear Review: Darn Tough women’s hiking socks

Women think about socks every seven seconds on average. Okay, that’s not at all true, but – bad jokes aside – we actually should probably be thinking about them a great deal more. While many people spend a long time choosing the right-fitting boots for hiking, socks often get overlooked. But a bad pair can mean hours of discomfort.

Darn Tough sent us two styles of their women’s micro crew lightweight hiking socks to try out. And while these socks don’t come cheap – you can expect to pay around £25 to £30 for a single pair – they are unconditionally guaranteed for life. 

Made in Vermont, USA, Darn Tough prides themselves on their comfort, durability, and fit. Made from merino wool, they’re soft to the touch, and claim to be moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating, too. So do they live up to their promises? We put them through their paces – literally – to find out.

Technical specifications

Materials: 50% Nylon, 47% Merino Wool, 3% Lycra Spandex.

Women’s micro crew socks average 19 cm from heel to cuff – expect them to show about 12.5 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.

Machine washable.

What we thought

The first impression of the socks is how attractive they are. Bright, colourful, and coming in a range of cheery designs, you’d be proud to have these peeking out from over your boots. The second impression is they feel quite tight when you put them on. That snugness is deliberate – it means they fit like a second skin, with no slipping or bunching, and therefore less chance of rubbing or blisters.

We’ve so far tested these socks under a number of different conditions, from the boggy Laddow Rocks and the slippery stones of Dragon’s Back to the lengthy hikes of Mount Snowdon and Goatfell. They’ve breezed through the lot. On a warm weather hike, my feet didn’t feel too hot. When it was wet and boggy, even though the socks were wet through (blame old hiking boots with holes and rips in) my feet still felt comfortable, and never cold.

On longer mountain hikes, the socks really came into their own. My feet were always comfortable, with no blisters, even after several hours of uneven terrain. I was worried that once they’d been washed a few times, the socks wouldn’t retain their softness and fit. But this wasn’t the case at all. Several washes in, they’re just as silky and cosy.

Conclusions

These socks may be expensive, but in my opinion, they’re worth every penny. I’ve been wearing them on every hike I’ve been on since I got them, which says a lot, and I plan to buy another pair because I like the designs and fit so much. They’re comfortable, durable, and look great, too. Darn tough? Darn right they are.