Why must they be so Expensive??- Darn Tough Socks!

[CornerCreek27]

hello all,

Im looking to get 2pr of the Darn Tough merino boot socks for my upcoming thru; but these things are so damn expensive! Id like to pay less than 20 bucks per a pair. Any suggestions???

Also, people who have used these, how well do liners work with them, would they save the life of the socks for a through or are unnecessary?

Thanks
CC

[louisb]

You can find them cheaper than $20. I love mine and wear them even when not hiking.

http://www.gearbuyer.com/bc/darn_tou...q=darn%20tough

--louis

[Lone Wolf]

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/...0226_200368512

[swjohnsey]

Best sock I've found are Wright Socks, made in U.S.A., very durable, the kind I wear (Running Quarter), about $10.

[Blissful]

Best sock I've found are Wright Socks, made in U.S.A., very durable, the kind I wear (Running Quarter), about $10.

Mine wore out like crazy. Not sure why. I fond the Wigwam coolmax fantastic.

[swjohnsey]

Mine wore out like crazy. Not sure why. I fond the Wigwam coolmax fantastic.

I started out with six pair, brought three with me on the trail. About half way I saw that one pair was just beginning to wear a hole in the outer layer, so I swapped out the first three pair. I am still wearing them to run in and such.

There is a reason you won't find marathoners or other long distance runners wearing wool socks. Never had any blisters or other foot problems.

[Spokes]

They have an unconditional lifetime warranty that blows the socks off the competition.

Doesn't get much better than that.

[Sly]

They have an unconditional lifetime warranty that blows the socks off the competition.

Doesn't get much better than that.

We'll see how long that last with thru-hikers switching them out 5 or 6 times.

[Spokes]

We'll see how long that last with thru-hikers switching them out 5 or 6 times.

Hmmm, they've been in business over 30 years. Sure, it's hard to stop someone who's mind is bent on deceit in the first place.

BTW, how many of those made in China socks have an "unconditional lifetime warranty"?

.......... that's what I thought.

[Lady Lilac]

Yep, lifetime warranty, and they stand by it.

My boyfriend is from VT and swears by them. He has been wearing them for years and finally had to turn in his first two pairs for replacements. I just got my first pair and love them!

[TOMP]

Most good wool socks will work in place of darn toughs. Get if you can get a deal otherwise, a 3 pack of costco wool socks work fine for around 12 bucks.

[Amanita]

Darn Toughs are the best. I got a pair last summer for hiking and now they are my go to sock for around town/campus too. Had to buy my mom some for Chirstmas so she'd stop asking to borrow mine.

If you are sure on the size/style you want they can be found on Amazon for slightly cheaper than retail. They will last and last, and don't stretch, shrink, or kink like many socks do.

[Outdoor76]

hello all,

Im looking to get 2pr of the Darn Tough merino boot socks for my upcoming thru; but these things are so damn expensive! Id like to pay less than 20 bucks per a pair. Any suggestions???

Also, people who have used these, how well do liners work with them, would they save the life of the socks for a through or are unnecessary?

Thanks
CC

Well, lots of sock companies offer a premium sock in that pricepoint, ie Smartwool offers their PhD socks at a very similar pricepoint using the USP that its the best fitting sock you can buy. Darn Tough's pitch guys across the entire line. They typically average about 5% less merino compared to other brands, but the "guaranteed for life" USP is a BIG deal. We're seeing the lifespans of DT socks FAR exceed the life of other merino socks. Its not uncommon to find people that thru'd with the same few pairs of DT socks. Any issues - get a new pair, with relatively no questions asked. If you ask us, thats a KILLER value.

Fit on them is a little funny for some. We notice people with higher insteps have tight bunching that can be uncomfortable. Otherwise, the feedback on fit is incredible. As for liners? Its a merino sock and if it fits you right and your shoe fits you right - a liner should be no issue.

[Tinker]

hello all,

Im looking to get 2pr of the Darn Tough merino boot socks for my upcoming thru; but these things are so damn expensive! Id like to pay less than 20 bucks per a pair. Any suggestions???

Also, people who have used these, how well do liners work with them, would they save the life of the socks for a through or are unnecessary? Thanks CC

Pay for the best. I've used Smartwools for years, found out that they're made overseas, and tried Darn Tough.


Smartwools are good, but as their name implies, Darn Tough are tougher.

The inside of the socks are so comfortable it would be a shame to wear liners with them.

I quit using liners in the 1990s. They came out originally to protect the feet from brutally rough chain knitted "Ragg" wool socks.

They aren't necessary if your shoes fit properly. The liners can actually slide around inside the outer sock to the point that they can cause toe jamming and heel blistering (as they did with me).

[malowitz]

They're worth it. You'll spend more money on many more frivolous things during your thru.

[peakbagger]

Danr Toughs are made in Vermont and reportedly pay their workers a living wage to make a premium product.

If they last twice as long as another pair of socks half the price they are effectively the same price and if they last longer, then they are a bargain.

[CornerCreek27]

good point on the frivolous junk that Ill buy on the trail. These are the last things i need in my gear list for a thru. I guess im trying to save all my money for beers in town!

[JAK]

I find the quality of "smart-wool" socks has varied alot since they first came out. You have to feel them and read the 'ingredients' and be very critical of how they are put together. Just because it says 'merino' or 'smart wool' is no quarantee of quality. I will buy a pair of darn tough if I ever come across a pair, because they are made in Vermont, but I am the kind of guy that needs to feel what I am buying.

It's tough when you make top quality goods because they really do last so much longer people don't need to come back. That's why over time quality tends to deteriorate after a good brand has established itself. Hopefully that will not happen with Darn Tough, but now would be the time to buy them, while you still can. You never know.

[leaftye]

It's tough when you make top quality goods because they really do last so much longer people don't need to come back.

That would be a big problem if their unconditional guarantee applied to all the socks I lose.

[shelb]

Does the guarantee apply if you don't have a receipt? I have a pair with a hole in it, but the receipt was lost years ago...