Gear Review | Darn Tough Hiker Sock – Arizona Hikers Guide

The Darn Tough Vermont Men’s 1/4 Hiker Cushion Sock is built to withstand the worst conditions.  The Vermont based company offers comfort without the bulk and tout no slipping, no bunching, and no blisters when wearing their socks.  Darn Tough Hiker Socks are made from fine gauge Merino Wool which makes them a fast drying and breathable “all weather” sock that stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

After wearing out several pairs of other “hiking” and “sport” type socks, I finally landed on the Darn Tough Hiker socks at my local REI.  I was skeptical at first (mainly due to a $20 price tag for one pair of socks) but was reassured by their unconditional return policy.  I decided to try the sock and here are my thoughts;

  • Comes in 7 different sock lengths
  • Guaranteed for life, no questions asked
  • Made in the U.S.A.
Material 61% Merino Wool, 37% Nylon, 2% Lycra® Spandex
Weight 2.3 oz Men’s Large
Made In Vermont
Sizes S, M, L, XL
Variety 8 types for men, 6 types for women
  1. The guarantee: These guys are legit!  Although the website would never tell you this, the socks will wear down and will need to be replaced at some point.  When you get to this point simply fill out the Darn Tough Warranty Form and they will send you a new one.  It’s that simple.
  2. The feel:  These socks just feel tough.  They are comfortable on the inside yet thick and breathable.  I have read some reviews where people claim that the socks don’t breath very well but that has not been my experience.  Having worn these socks in the desert heat several times I never felt like the sock was holding in moisture.
  3. The variety:  I hate long socks.  I wanted a 1/4 sock that fit nicely with my hiking shoes and Darn Tough had a plethora of sizes and lengths to choose from.  I really like my 1/4 length which is just high enough to cover my ankle bone.
  1. Hard to get clean:  I’m not the first reviewer to state that these socks can be tough to get clean.  Hiking in the desert presents even a tougher challenge as their are lots of prickly things that can get stuck in the fibers of the sock.  Even after picking at the sock and washing them they still look dirty and the prickly’s are still embedded in the fibers of the sock.  Not fun.
  2. They are a bit too heavy for an ultralight backpacker.  I know this is not an issue for most but 2.3 ounces for socks is a bit on the heavy side.  Plus, in the summer time I prefer a lighter sock.
  3. Loss of shape: Although the socks fit really nice and snug, they have stretched a little bit and have now gone over my ankle bone which I didn’t anticipate.  It’s not that big of a deal but be aware of this when picking out your sock size.

I really like these socks.  I have worn Adidas, Smartwool, and Redhead socks and these have been my favorite so far.  I am a huge fan of the company and how they stand behind their product.  I think it is a testament to the quality of the sock.   I also love that these are made in-house in Northfield, Vermont.

The Darn Tough Hiker 1/4 sock is perfect for long and short hiking trips and especially for those who tend to wear out their socks quickly.  If you are looking for a quality sock from a quality company than this is the sock for you.

Purchase Here:

Men’s: Darn Tough Hiker Men’s 1/4 Socks

Women’s: Darn Tough Hiker 1/4 Socks – Women’s

*Disclaimer:  If you decide to make a purchase from my site I will recieve a small (tiny) commission which helps me keep producing quality and free content (thank you in advance, you are awesome!).  There is no additional charge to you ever.

All of our socks are knit on small needle, fine gauge knitting machines. This approach produces durable, high density stitching without bulk. Less bulk means a better fit. The better the socks fits, the longer it will last. We use fine gauge, high micron merino wool. We use only 100% merino wool in the knitting of our wool socks. We do not cheapen the wool by adding nylon or polyester to the blend of the wool. We reinforce the outside and inside of the sock with nylon and lycra for added comfort, durability and fit. Throw in 3 generations of knitting know-how and you get one darn tough sock. In a nutshell, if you can put a hole in them we will replace them free of charge, for life. Our socks are guaranteed to be the most comfortable, durable and best fitting socks you can buy. If for some reason you are dissatisfied with your purchase just place your clean pair of socks in a package along with a note explaining why you are dissatisfied and include your shoe size and gender, phone number, email and address. Send to us at: Darn Tough Vermont, Customer Warranty, 364 Whetstone Drive, Northfield, VT 05663. We will send your replacements to the address you provided and we will pay for the return postage. Merino wool is a durable, natural fiber that keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Merino wool wicks moisture away from your skin and it dries very quickly. Merino wool is naturally anti-microbial which means you can wear merino wool socks for days on end without them getting that funky workout smell. Coolmax is a durable man made fiber that is ideal for warmer temperatures. Coolmax wicks moisture away from your skin and also dries very quickly. Coolmax is an excellent alternative for those may not prefer wool or are allergic to wool fibers. We have 5 categories of socks – life/style, run/bike, ski/ride, hike/trek and fishing/hunting. We also offer kids hike/trek and kids ski/ride socks.

The FAQ section came straight from the Darn Tough Website.
All photos came from the Darn Tough website.