I thought $20 for a single pair socks was absurd, but Darn Tough's wool socks changed my mind

• What are Darn Tough socks?
• Review of Darn Tough socks
• The bottom line

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• My husband will only wear Darn Tough socks, and I'm a convert now, too.
• Darn Tough socks are thick, moisture-wicking, and made in the US.
• At $20 a pair, they're a bit expensive, but the lifetime guarantee makes them worth the investment.

My approach to footwear has always been far more about form than function: cute shoes, crisp white socks, blisters par for the course. But when my husband and I started hiking, I was quickly forced to revisit this policy. 

My husband has long been a believer in fully functional footwear. A few years ago, he found Darn Tough socks and quickly replaced all the old pairs in his dresser with fresh, new, durable Darn Tough pairs. And not just for hiking: they're his go-to socks for pretty much every occasion.

I balked at his $100+ sock collection: What could possibly justify spending $20 on a single pair of socks?

But after several hikes where I earned blisters gnarlier than any I'd ever experienced that didn't go away with better boots, I figured I'd see if that higher price tag equated to more comfort, less suffering.

What are Darn Tough socks?

Darn Tough socks are made from merino wool, nylon, and Lycra. This combination of materials makes them particularly adept at temperature regulation and moisture-wicking — two factors that can help you avoid blisters or foot injuries.

Darn Tough socks can be worn for any purpose, but are particularly beloved for running, hiking, snow sports, and other technical or outdoor activities.

The company makes men's, women's, unisex, and kids' socks with different thicknesses, calf heights, and designs. Usually, you pick based on the weather you're heading out in or the activity you're doing. All the socks are made in Vermont and the business is family-owned and operated, which we love. 

What makes Darn Tough particularly stand out, though, is the lifetime guarantee it offers on all its socks. If you wear a hole into any DT socks, no matter how much you wear them or how long you've had them, the company will replace them for free. Yes, we will repeat: for free.

(The only things that don't count under the warranty are things that don't have to do with wear-and-tear like if your dog tore them up, they got singed by a campfire, you lost one of the socks, etc.)

Review of Darn Tough socks

On the heels (no pun intended) of a trip out to Utah, I purchased three pairs of Darn Tough socks. Given the environment we were going to be in (hot, dry, mostly desert) I opted for the women's midweight sock in the 1/4 sock height, which sits just above the ankle. I wear a size 11 in women's shoes, so I opted for the Large. As a big-footed woman, I'm forever paranoid that women's sizes won't fit my feet, so I also ordered the same sock in a men's Large.

Fortunately, the women's socks fit true to size and the men's socks were a bit big for me. I'd say the socks felt a bit stiff on the first wear (as many wool items tend to be), but they definitely got more flexible and cozy as I broke them in.

Even when hiking for many hours in the heat, my feet never felt sweaty and I miraculously never experienced any blisters. They're also thick enough that I'm planning on wearing them skiing this winter.

My husband, who at this point could be considered a committed collector of Darn Tough socks and has probably half a dozen pairs, says he loves them because they're warm without making his feet sweat, tough but really comfortable, and extremely durable.

"I can wear them in any weather and know that they're the right socks to wear," he told me.

As someone who's really hard on their footwear and wears through socks easily while walking and biking, he particularly appreciates how long his pairs have lasted. Plus, if they do happen to break, he can get them replaced for free under the warranty. 

The bottom line

Darn Tough socks check all the boxes of a really, really stellar product: They perform their function perfectly to keep your feet comforted, dry, and blister-free; are made sustainably and locally from a small business; and offer a lifetime guarantee.

I shouldn't have been surprised, considering Darn Tough is one of the top picks for running and active socks from our fitness editors who have tested dozens of different brands.

For our family, they are totally worth the premium price tag, especially for tactical needs like hiking and snow sports, where their ability to keep your feet warm and dry is crucial. 

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