Bought 6 pair of their work socks about 7-8 years ago, worked 10 hrs a day in an ammo factory... and they are still going strong. No holes just normal wear. I use the work socks (thicker) even in the summer when hiking....never a problem.
I've used Darn Tough Socks hiking up here in Alaska. No problems. If I ever had a problem I would send them back for a new pair. The pair I have I originally bought for $18 about 5 years ago and still wear them as my go to hiking socks up here in Alaska.
I've used other brands of merino socks, and not found anything that holds up as well as Darn Tough. Maybe there are just limits on sock technology? Also never paid more than £15 in the UK ($20) for a pair, as often on sale. They are definately better than smartwool and bridgedale. Not tried Danish endurance. I do prefer Midweight though.
i wore 1 pair out 1st week of july...i had my new pair the same 1st week of july. free postage. i dk what kind of customer service you had, but all they wanted was a pic of my socks and then a pic of my socks cut in half. no questions, no postage fee.
I find darn tough to be pretty durable, but my problem is with the insane thickness. They are no breathable at all, they take forever to dry, and they are so thick that little pokers will get stuck in the fiber and keep poking ya.
@@jeffd6 They only make the coolmax in one thickness. Another reason to dislike darn tough, lack of synthetic options. I did buy their synthetic "running sock" and it was sized too small, so they also have inconsistent sizing between their own product lines lol
Try the Teklites from @GRIP6 the extra terry cloth cushioning is at the toes and heel so keeps the over all sock thinner. That might help with the breathability if you still want a wool sock.
I've had darn tough socks for many years. AT trail, construction, tennis (lots of footwork, wearing holes in my shoes in 4 months), weightlifting and such. Fantastic experience. They last a VERY long time. Hiking/work/tactical midweight cushioned last a couple of years with me abusing them. Lightweight ones last longer than any other branded socks, but not as long as DT cushioned mids. No blisters. Ultimate comfort, I'd only buy DT socks at least for that. At first I was hesitant, that's a lot of money for a pair of socks. After getting 3 pairs just for AT hike I fell in love with the brand. Threw away all other socks I had. Now I have about ten pairs for different purposes (even one ultralight for road biking). They worth the money paid even w/o the warranty. Get the cushioned type. Buy them on sale. Warranty works great. Pleasant customer service reps too. I know I sound like a commercial but trust me, Darn Tough are great.
If you’re you like me and here to research winter socks, you should know. Half way through the video he explains he is only talking about the thinner running or everyday socks. He is going to continue with darn tough thicker socks for his cold weather needs as he’s never had any trouble from the thick ones.
Really complaining that your socks only lasts two years? Your feet are the most important thing on a through hike. I'll cough up the $40 for 2 new pairs of socks for each long hike. It amazes me that people don't think twice about spending twenty dollars for a titanium spoon or doodoo shovel and then skimp on something so important.
A few years ago I had darn tough and they were great until I started getting holes in them. They weren’t the most comfortable either. I heard about willowace and got two pairs from them at the end of December. They weren’t very comfortable, but I just got a hole in one pair. Contacted customer service, and like you said, they want me to ship them back. Why? I sent the pics with holes. The warranty sounds great until you have to spend money to send them broken socks.
This guy just hasn't found shoes that fit his feet well yet. This is very common, he is not alone. It's not the fault of the socks. Cheap socks even hold up when you have shoes that genuinely fit your feet.
I just heard about this brand, so i checked out your video . I'd try a pair, but I'm seriously allergic to sheep's wool. Back to yak wool I go. Unfortunately, they're even more expensive, but they don't itch.
I still use Darn Tough socks in the micro crew version on my summer and fall hikes because they are lighter. I switched to smartwool ski socks with my phantom 6,000s for alpine mountains. What socks are you wearing in double boots? I went the ski sock route because of how thin they are and they come up to the calve just so the shell of the boot doesn’t rub.
@@ChadLubinski yea I’ve set my focus on Denali so doing a few climbs on Rainier and Denali prep on there. Figured I would splurge on some doubles that don’t torch my feet lol!
@@ChadLubinski I’m likely going in 2026. Doing a 8 day climb on Rainier on emmons side in July and flipping around to do a Denali prep course with Alpine Ascents in February of 2026. I am hoping after the winter Rainier ascent that will get me prepped enough and my mind ready enough for a May attempt in 2026. I’m an East coast guy so I’ve been burning up the Appalachians and staying on the climb mill with heavy pack loads until the season swings around. It’s sucks so bad lmao.
I take anywhere between 25,000-30,000 steps a day. My socks only wear out because of being washed..thin. My guess is you're getting them wet all the time and not drying them correctly and wearing them while wet so you are creating bad hot spots..overstretched areas...and the fibers are failing
Geez, if sending some socks back in the mail is the biggest inconvenience for you, wait until you run into a problem that revolves around bureaucracy like insurance or hospitals lmfao. Clickbait vid to trash an American made company cause your socks wore out. If you lose a sock, that is 100% completely your fault that has nothing to do with the company and if you’re nice enough. They would probably send you a pair free especially if you have a rapport. You should buy the cheapest Chinese pair of socks and wear them the same. You’d probably pay the same over the course of 2 years if not more. First world problems at their finest. Grow up.
With respect, is clothing perishable, in a manner of speaking? All shoes, socks, underwear, jackets, shirts and pants with usage over time will breakdown. So is it really a shock that an ultra lightweight to lightweight socks breaks down in high wear areas with hard usage? And then to complain about having to pay for $7 or $8 for postage to get a brand new pair of $22+ socks to replace the ones you’ve worn through? Seriously? If this happened within a few times of you wearing the socks, then fair enough, but it doesn’t seem like that in your video at all since you never stated it. Seems more like you’re just having a moan about it for no other reason than just to complain.
@@MCFCTheMadHatter really dude… I show two sock blow outs that I have on camera. I don’t have the others because I sent them back. My problem is them positioning themselves as the toughest sock on the market when they’re not. A $23 3 pair of merino socks from Amazon has lasted longer than my last few pairs of DTs. If you want to fall for misleading marketing, be my guest!
@@ChadLubinski Yeah that is why I started my comment "With respect,..." Perhaps I was being a bit harsh. That said and not to be pedantic, even tho DTS say they are the toughest socks in the world or whatever their marketing is, no article of clothing is impermeable to breakdown over time. That is what I took issue with. Regardless, at least DTS is good enough to replace their socks free of replacement charge. I think no one can really escape shipping costs whether they're built into the price that no one see under "free shipping" or it is additional to the item price, it is always there. All that said, it seems like you have not had many issue with the heavier weighted socks? Midweight and heavyweight, no? For some reason my father puts holes in the bottom of the heels of heavy wool socks (no idea how or why as he is retired and isnt climbing mountains or fighting fire or logging lol. But, since I bought him a few pairs of the heavyweight Hunter socks, he hasnt had an issue with them and its been 3 years now. Maybe their construction on the heavier weight socks is superior to the lighter ones?
📌 How's your experience been with Darn Tough Socks?
Bought 6 pair of their work socks about 7-8 years ago, worked 10 hrs a day in an ammo factory... and they are still going strong. No holes just normal wear. I use the work socks (thicker) even in the summer when hiking....never a problem.
I've used Darn Tough Socks hiking up here in Alaska. No problems. If I ever had a problem I would send them back for a new pair. The pair I have I originally bought for $18 about 5 years ago and still wear them as my go to hiking socks up here in Alaska.
How many pairs have you gone through?
The light cushion always wears out faster. If you get the medium cushion, they last extraordinary longer in my experience
Yeah people forget that they have socks that arent always high in merino wool
Sorry, never had an issue with mine. 7 years and still going strong. This is the first time hearing anyone talk negative on Darn Tough.
I've used other brands of merino socks, and not found anything that holds up as well as Darn Tough. Maybe there are just limits on sock technology? Also never paid more than £15 in the UK ($20) for a pair, as often on sale. They are definately better than smartwool and bridgedale. Not tried Danish endurance. I do prefer Midweight though.
i wore 1 pair out 1st week of july...i had my new pair the same 1st week of july. free postage. i dk what kind of customer service you had, but all they wanted was a pic of my socks and then a pic of my socks cut in half. no questions, no postage fee.
I find darn tough to be pretty durable, but my problem is with the insane thickness. They are no breathable at all, they take forever to dry, and they are so thick that little pokers will get stuck in the fiber and keep poking ya.
@@higler. great points. I’ve also found that they take forever to dry. I should’ve mentioned that
Buy a thinner pair.
@@jeffd6 They only make the coolmax in one thickness. Another reason to dislike darn tough, lack of synthetic options. I did buy their synthetic "running sock" and it was sized too small, so they also have inconsistent sizing between their own product lines lol
@@jeffd6 yeah those are the ones that wear out fast
Try the Teklites from @GRIP6 the extra terry cloth cushioning is at the toes and heel so keeps the over all sock thinner. That might help with the breathability if you still want a wool sock.
I've had darn tough socks for many years. AT trail, construction, tennis (lots of footwork, wearing holes in my shoes in 4 months), weightlifting and such. Fantastic experience. They last a VERY long time. Hiking/work/tactical midweight cushioned last a couple of years with me abusing them. Lightweight ones last longer than any other branded socks, but not as long as DT cushioned mids. No blisters. Ultimate comfort, I'd only buy DT socks at least for that. At first I was hesitant, that's a lot of money for a pair of socks. After getting 3 pairs just for AT hike I fell in love with the brand. Threw away all other socks I had. Now I have about ten pairs for different purposes (even one ultralight for road biking). They worth the money paid even w/o the warranty. Get the cushioned type. Buy them on sale. Warranty works great. Pleasant customer service reps too. I know I sound like a commercial but trust me, Darn Tough are great.
If you’re you like me and here to research winter socks, you should know. Half way through the video he explains he is only talking about the thinner running or everyday socks. He is going to continue with darn tough thicker socks for his cold weather needs as he’s never had any trouble from the thick ones.
@@kylecraton9970 good summary!
Really complaining that your socks only lasts two years? Your feet are the most important thing on a through hike. I'll cough up the $40 for 2 new pairs of socks for each long hike. It amazes me that people don't think twice about spending twenty dollars for a titanium spoon or doodoo shovel and then skimp on something so important.
They don’t last two years, that’s the problem
There a lifetime warranty on them just get them replaced
@@wolverinegnr wow thanks
@@ChadLubinski no questions asked
@@wolverinegnr did you even watch the guy's video?..
Bought some while enlisted 8 years ago. Just got my first hole after hundreds of miles on them. Curious if your foot wear is causing premature wear
maybe sand from hiking
Of course they're going to wear out. They're not made of steel.
dang ok thanks jeff! didn't know that
@@ChadLubinskiprick
A few years ago I had darn tough and they were great until I started getting holes in them. They weren’t the most comfortable either. I heard about willowace and got two pairs from them at the end of December. They weren’t very comfortable, but I just got a hole in one pair. Contacted customer service, and like you said, they want me to ship them back. Why? I sent the pics with holes. The warranty sounds great until you have to spend money to send them broken socks.
This guy just hasn't found shoes that fit his feet well yet.
This is very common, he is not alone. It's not the fault of the socks. Cheap socks even hold up when you have shoes that genuinely fit your feet.
What size are your shoes?
11
@ChadLubinski hey same. Just wondering if shoe size would impact the experience. I have a pair and they work well but I gotta say they dont get clean
I just heard about this brand, so i checked out your video . I'd try a pair, but I'm seriously allergic to sheep's wool. Back to yak wool I go. Unfortunately, they're even more expensive, but they don't itch.
@@762MusicFan I’ve been loving these Alpaca ones: amzn.to/4gaC6MZ
But maybe that’s a sheep too haha
Move to Europe - we apply for warranty online and get replacements post free! No added costs
@@Liddy37 what if I moved to Europe just for that 😂
I like Farm to Feet Damascus. I don’t care about warranty, I just buy a new pair when they eventually fail as all socks do.
I came to the same conclusion for the same reasons awhile back.
@@noahvsolis yes! Theyre overrated
@@ChadLubinski plus all the pairs I’ve bought over the years never returned one lmao
I still use Darn Tough socks in the micro crew version on my summer and fall hikes because they are lighter. I switched to smartwool ski socks with my phantom 6,000s for alpine mountains.
What socks are you wearing in double boots? I went the ski sock route because of how thin they are and they come up to the calve just so the shell of the boot doesn’t rub.
Nice! I've actually never worn double boots but that sounds like it would work for sure.
@@ChadLubinski yea I’ve set my focus on Denali so doing a few climbs on Rainier and Denali prep on there. Figured I would splurge on some doubles that don’t torch my feet lol!
@@UnmannedExplorations Awesome! I've been eyeing that up myself. You going 2025?
@@ChadLubinski I’m likely going in 2026. Doing a 8 day climb on Rainier on emmons side in July and flipping around to do a Denali prep course with Alpine Ascents in February of 2026. I am hoping after the winter Rainier ascent that will get me prepped enough and my mind ready enough for a May attempt in 2026.
I’m an East coast guy so I’ve been burning up the Appalachians and staying on the climb mill with heavy pack loads until the season swings around. It’s sucks so bad lmao.
I take anywhere between 25,000-30,000 steps a day. My socks only wear out because of being washed..thin.
My guess is you're getting them wet all the time and not drying them correctly and wearing them while wet so you are creating bad hot spots..overstretched areas...and the fibers are failing
You take 30,000 steps a day? What are you doing for a job?
Maybe if you’re wearing out socks in the same spot all the time your shoes don’t fit right.
@@FrickTruck Ive worn them with all different shoes from Altra, Hoka and Topo.
Geez, if sending some socks back in the mail is the biggest inconvenience for you, wait until you run into a problem that revolves around bureaucracy like insurance or hospitals lmfao. Clickbait vid to trash an American made company cause your socks wore out. If you lose a sock, that is 100% completely your fault that has nothing to do with the company and if you’re nice enough. They would probably send you a pair free especially if you have a rapport. You should buy the cheapest Chinese pair of socks and wear them the same. You’d probably pay the same over the course of 2 years if not more. First world problems at their finest. Grow up.
@@alecmyer161 nah they lame
this guy should be a politician, he yaps and yaps and yaps and don't say nothin !
Thanks, thinking about running soon
BS 2 pair on AT. 2pair onPCT. AND 2 pair on CDT.
nice man
2 pair on JMT...😊
W vid
@@Vuden13 thanks man
With respect, is clothing perishable, in a manner of speaking? All shoes, socks, underwear, jackets, shirts and pants with usage over time will breakdown. So is it really a shock that an ultra lightweight to lightweight socks breaks down in high wear areas with hard usage? And then to complain about having to pay for $7 or $8 for postage to get a brand new pair of $22+ socks to replace the ones you’ve worn through? Seriously?
If this happened within a few times of you wearing the socks, then fair enough, but it doesn’t seem like that in your video at all since you never stated it. Seems more like you’re just having a moan about it for no other reason than just to complain.
@@MCFCTheMadHatter really dude… I show two sock blow outs that I have on camera. I don’t have the others because I sent them back.
My problem is them positioning themselves as the toughest sock on the market when they’re not. A $23 3 pair of merino socks from Amazon has lasted longer than my last few pairs of DTs. If you want to fall for misleading marketing, be my guest!
@@ChadLubinski Yeah that is why I started my comment "With respect,..." Perhaps I was being a bit harsh. That said and not to be pedantic, even tho DTS say they are the toughest socks in the world or whatever their marketing is, no article of clothing is impermeable to breakdown over time. That is what I took issue with.
Regardless, at least DTS is good enough to replace their socks free of replacement charge. I think no one can really escape shipping costs whether they're built into the price that no one see under "free shipping" or it is additional to the item price, it is always there.
All that said, it seems like you have not had many issue with the heavier weighted socks? Midweight and heavyweight, no?
For some reason my father puts holes in the bottom of the heels of heavy wool socks (no idea how or why as he is retired and isnt climbing mountains or fighting fire or logging lol. But, since I bought him a few pairs of the heavyweight Hunter socks, he hasnt had an issue with them and its been 3 years now. Maybe their construction on the heavier weight socks is superior to the lighter ones?
Since they're not so tough, they could try rebranding to Darn Tuah. Okay, I'll see myself out now goodbye.
good stuff 😂
First world problems
for sure
They have a lifetime warranty. Who cares if they wear out?
the landfill