Agree with Traveler. Condemning or labeling an entire brand of socks for supposedly being the prime cause of the underlined issues like blisters or black toe nails is confusing and likely incorrect. SO MANY things go into the causation of those issues like shoe fit, insoles, the specific model of sock, and several other factors rather than simply the brand.
By the way, Darn Tuff is just the house brand for Cabot Hosiery. They make a large number of private label socks, The factory sale is literally in the warehouse right next door to the knitting machines and they make corridors for the sale out of whatever boxes they have in stock. They don't sell labeled private label socks at the sale but I expect they sell many very high end unlabeled socks that are overruns and seconds from the private runs. I expect some of the national brand outdoor socks are probably Cabot Hosiery.
Watching a zpacks hiking videos, Red Beard was talking about how Joe turned him on to Wigwam Triathlete socks. All my prior hiking socks were the wigwam ultimax socks so I tried them when I switched to trail runners. Haven't got big mile on them to speak of durability, but my other wigwams have all held up well. I really like the thin sock and trail runner combo. After hiking for a bit the socks become almost like a second skin, even if they wear out quickly, I still really like the real thin socks concept.
I noticed after looking at the darn tough website for the first time, they have something similar under the running section. Anyone ever try these? They have a wool and a full synthetic version. https://darntough.com/collections/me...nt=30180571783
I used smartwool endurance socks on my SHT thru hike and two pairs did not last fifty miles.
When I arrived in Tofte Mn at the outfitter they did not stock darn tough(which is my go to sock but duluth pack didnt have any in my size which explains the smart wool purchase) but did have some merino endurance socks called farm to feet out of Damascus so I bought two pair and was suprised to find how comfortable and durable they were and would recommend them.
If you have narrowed it down to darn tough or smartwool I would go give darn tough A try .
I just used two pair of there endurance socks on my FT thru hike and they are still going strong.
Darn tough has amazing customer service and A no questions ask lifetime warranty where I found smartwools customer service was lacking in more than the return policy of there products not to mention there socks didnt last any time.
If I die trying now I wont die wondering how life could have turned out.....
I prefer Injiji Trail toe socks and Injiji Coolmax liners. The liners get a little beat up once you get past 200 miles of use, but I don't get blisters and they are comfortable soaking wet for 10-15 miles. I see no reason to switch or try anything else. I use them in Altra Lone Peak and Merrell Ventilator shoes. They won't get replaced for free, but I buy multiple when I see a deal.
"Though I have lost the intimacy with the seasons since my hike, I retain the sense of perfect order, of graceful succession and surrender, and of the bold brilliance of fall leaves as they yield to death." - David Brill
Well said.
My initial boot/ sock purchase was done at the same time, same outfitter. They suggested I get 2 pair of the socks - the socks were the AT logo DarnTough socks. That was 2.5 years ago and perhaps 600 hiking miles ago.
The Darn Tough socks did shrink after washing (even though I didn't put them in the dryer), but they have held up well; I'm still using the first two pair I bought. The elastic around the openings is pretty much shot, but the foot areas are all perfect.
I did buy one pair of Smart Wool socks, just to try them out. Don't recall which specific model they are, but they are taller and fluffier than my Darn Toughs. I like how thick they are, and have hiked in them without issue, but because of their fluffiness, they tend to be my camp / sleep socks.
Thank you MtDoraDave.
Wayne
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Eddie Valiant: "That lame-brain freeway idea could only be cooked up by a toon."
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Instructional video.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=prRtcQz8Uqk
Wayne
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Eddie Valiant: "That lame-brain freeway idea could only be cooked up by a toon."
https://wayne-ayearwithbigfootandbubba.blogspot.com
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Some people are just too hard headed to learn from others that have thousands of trouble free miles.
I wore Injiji toe liners with Darn Toughs over them the whole trail. I got a few blisters in NH (where the real rocks are!) but nothing bad. When I got done with my thru I sent all three pairs of DT back and they replaced them.
Inspired by this thread, I ordered a few pairs of Darn Toughs this morning. I noticed their "work socks" lack colorful patterns and cost a bit less. I'm looking forward to their arrival.
"It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how." ---Dr. Seuss
Wright Socks are two layers, prevent blisters and are very durable. Three pair lasted me the entire hike. I think I went through six pairs of shoes.
I started out with smart wool. Switched to darn tough. Spent the last couple of years wearing wright socks.
If something works for someone, they should use it
But they also should realize when they still have room for improvement . If liner or an anti-friction goo, or magic sock is credited with foot sucess...no, theres still something not optimal for their foot. Particularly at low 10-15 mpd mileage.
Last edited by MuddyWaters; 05-08-2017 at 07:09.
I think Darn Tough's "secret" is that they tend to be dense. They might not feel as soft as many others, but they go the distance.
I have used Darn tough socks for years now and now use their AT socks because Darn tough donates 5% back to the ATC. At current prices that's $1.00 per pair. Not much, but those dollars add up.
Blackheart
Sadly, I can't wear the Injinji socks, I have webbed toes. No, seriously.
I've got a pair of Darn Tough crews I've been doing weekend hikes for years now and they are holding up. My Smartwool work socks get thin in the heel quick.
"I wonder if anyone else has an ear so tuned and sharpened as I have, to detect the music, not of the spheres, but of earth, subtleties of major and minor chord that the wind strikes upon the tree branches. Have you ever heard the earth breathe... ?"
- Kate Chopin