Darn Tough Merino Hiking Socks: A Hands-On Review
A good pair of hiking socks is essential for any outdoors enthusiast. They keep your feet cushioned, safe, and clean while on the trail. I recently purchased two pairs of Darn Tough Merino hiking socks and wanted to share my thoughts on them with you.
The two models I have are the Darn Tough men’s Hiker Merino Wool Micro Crew Socks Cushion, and the Darn Tough Merino Wool Boot Sock Full Cushion. Both models are very similar, so I’ll be discussing both in this post.
I tested multiple pairs of socks, so if you want to see the full comparison, go to the full Merino wool hiking socks comparison post.
Things I Love:
- Cushioning: The socks feel very well cushioned, so your feet feel protected.
- Durability: The fabric quality on these socks is great, so they feel really durable.
- Odor resistance: The merino wool’s natural odor resistance makes the socks smell fine even after wearing them for a day.
Things I Don’t Love:
- Temperature regulation: These socks are pretty warm, so they’re mainly good for colder weather, and might feel too hot in warm weather.
- A little itchy: If you’re sensitive, the socks might feel a little itchy, because of the high percentage of merino wool.
Key Takeaways:
Darn Tough’s merino wool hiking socks are pretty comfortable and offer good cushioning and great odor resistance. They feel very durable but are a little itchy. They’re mainly good for colder temperatures because they’re quite thick and warm. These are an overall great option for hiking socks.
Who Should Buy This Product?
Darn Tough’s merino wool hiking socks are a good option as cold-weather hiking socks, and for people who want a pair of really dense and durable socks.
Let’s consider the different criteria for hiking socks, and see how Darn Tough socks measure up.
Comfort
Darn Tough is a popular brand among hikers, mainly due to their sock’s comfort and durability. When trying them on, I found that they fit pretty well and had a nice feel, though a bit dense. They may not be the softest socks on the market, but their texture feels suitable for outdoor activities.
One issue with the Darn Tough socks is that the high merino wool content (over 60%) can cause them to feel slightly itchy. This was the case for me, as I am somewhat sensitive to wool.
However, this is a subjective experience and may not be a problem for everyone. If you have sensitive skin or are particularly sensitive to wool, you may want to try on a pair of these socks before making a purchase to see how they feel, or go with lower merino wool content socks.
Breathability
While the Darn Tough socks are comfortable, they do have some limitations in terms of breathability. While wearing them, I found that they felt a bit dense and not as airy as some other hiking socks I have tried. While they didn’t feel suffocating, they didn’t provide the level of ventilation that I like when spending a lot of time outdoors.
One of the main issue that is caused by the breathability issue of these socks is that they don’t wick moisture very well. I could feel that the socks were retaining moisture and becoming a bit wet. This made them feel a little uncomfortable. They also take a long time to dry out.
If you are planning on wearing these socks with hiking shoes, this may not be a significant issue, as the shoes themselves are not typically very breathable. However, if you are looking to optimize breathability by wearing trail running shoes, these socks may not be the best choice for you.
Durability
The Darn Tough socks definitely live up to their name, as they feel very tough and durable. The fabric of the socks feels dense and resistant to damage, and the entire sock has relatively little stretch compared to other brands. I believe that these socks will last a long time, even with regular use.
One of the things that really impressed me about these socks is that the company stands behind their product. Darn Tough offers a lifetime guarantee on their socks, promising to replace any that wear or tear.
This demonstrates a strong belief in the quality and durability of their product, and it gives me confidence that these socks will hold up well over time. Overall, I think the Darn Tough socks are a high-quality and reliable choice for hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Odor resistance
To test the odor resistance of the Darn Tough socks, I wore them for an entire day to see how well they held up. One of the benefits of merino wool is its natural ability to resist odors, but sometimes wool blends don’t perform as well in this regard. I was curious to see how the Merino blend in these socks compared.
After a full day of wear, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the socks had no detectable odors. This was a good sign that the Merino blend was doing a good job of preventing smells from building up. Even after a full day of use, the socks were still odor-free.
This is a valuable feature for hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts, as it means you can wear these socks for long periods of time without having to worry about unpleasant smells. Overall, I was impressed with the odor resistance of the Darn Tough socks.
Temperature regulation
Temperature regulation is an important factor to consider when choosing hiking socks, as it can affect both your comfort and performance. In my experience, the Darn Tough socks did not perform particularly well in this regard.
When worn in hot weather, I found that they felt very warm and didn’t seem to regulate temperature effectively. This made them feel a bit uncomfortable on my feet, as they couldn’t keep my feet cool.
However, when I wore these socks in colder weather, they felt much more comfortable and effective. They kept my feet warm and insulated well, which was exactly what I needed in the colder environment.
Overall, I would say that these socks are best suited for cold weather, as they provide good insulation and warmth. They may not be the best choice for hot weather, as they can feel a bit too warm and don’t regulate temperature effectively.
Cushioning
One of the standout features of the Darn Tough hiking socks is their cushioning. These socks have a nice layer of padding on the bottom of the sock and up to the ankle, which provides a soft and comfortable surface to walk on. This cushioning also helps to insulate your feet from the ground and protect them from impact.
The cushioning itself is not too thick, but it does add a nice feel to the sock. It enhances the overall comfort of the sock and makes it feel more supportive and protective. In my experience, these socks made me feel like my feet were better protected and supported, which was a definite plus when hiking.
Overall, the cushioning on the Darn Tough hiking socks is a well-designed and effective feature that enhances the comfort and performance of the sock.
Conclusions
The Darn Tough hiking socks are a good option for hiking lovers. While they do have some limitations with breathability and temperature regulation, they feel high-quality, durable, and well-cushioned.
The lifetime guarantee the brand offers is a testament to their belief in the product, and it does add a small layer of confidence to the buyer.
Overall, I think Darn Tough’s socks are a good option you should consider while purchasing hiking socks.