How to Choose Hiking Socks

From the Pacific Crest Trail to the Appalachian Trail, Darn Tough Hiker Boot full-cushion men's hiking socks absorb the rigors of the singletrack.
Made in USA.
View the Darn Tough Hiker Product LineView all Darn Tough Men's Hiking SocksBest Use | Hiking |
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Fabric | 66% merino wool/32% nylon/2% Lycra spandex |
Sock Height | Crew |
Sock Cushioning | Heavy Cushioning |
Moisture Wicking | Yes |
Gender | Men's |
S | M | L | XL | XXL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Men's | 5.5-7.5 | 8-9.5 | 10-12 | 12.5-14.5 | 15-17 |
EU | 38-41 | 41-43 | 43-45 | 46-50 | 50-53 |
For socks, please use shoe size.
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If you have narrow feet, these socks are not for you. While they are quite well made, there is just too much material in the toe and forefoot. From the moment I pulled them on, I knew I'd be returning them. I wear a US 10.5 narrow shoe and bought the large per the Darn tough sock sizing guide. Length was correct, but the socks were noticeably loose on my feet. I tried my hiking boots with them, thinking perhaps the looseness would disappear once a shoe was laced over them. Nope. I could feel my feet sliding around in my boots with every step. Guess I'll stick with Smartwool PhD hiker socks. For my narrow feet, they fit better.
I work for a conservation corps and perform lots of trail work, lots of fuel reduction (hiking up and down steep hills removing ladder fuels), invasive species removal, etc. We work in wet cold conditions and smoking hot conditions I love these socks! I used to use smart wool but my friend talked me into trying a pair of these and they offer awesome protection lots cushion extremly comfortable! I go hiking/backpacking on my time off and these socks rock! Very durable and comfortable and lifetime gurantee!
I have now worn these socks heavily for 4 months. They are worth every penny. They show virtually no wear. They hug my feet perfectly. When sliding into snug footwear they stay put and assist in getting foot into position without any pulling or puckering at the heel. Similarly in loose sloppy boots they stay put without sliding down. I was a little skeptical at the price at first but I’ve been totally won over. You can buy, use and wear out 4+ pairs of less expensive socks manufactured overseas, the entire time experiencing less than perfect performance, or you can buy Darn Tough.
I live in Florida and bought these for a week long trek in the Uncompahgre Wilderness in Colorado. I wore them for training hikes in temps into the 90’s and they were cool, kept my feet dry, and produced no hot spots. On the Trek in Co. in Sept. we had temps from 50’s to low 20’s. Hiked 27 miles through 3500 feet of elevation changes, boggs, fields, switch backs up and down. Not once did I get a hot spot with these socks. The insoles are made to support, the heels and toes are well padded, and no seems jamming into your toes on the down hills. No sock liners needed and aired out at night a pair stays fresh for 3 days in moderate temps. I have hiked a lot of miles in my life, with over 500 nights in a sleeping bag. I wish I had found these Darn Tough socks years ago. They are soft to the touch and up to the task. Far superior to Smart Wool. SF
Love these socks. I finally put a small hole in a pair after 3 years! Sent them back and they sent me a brand new pair! No questions asked. They are the only socks I will ever wear!!
I have other pairs of Darn Toughs that I've had for years and they still look and perform like new. This guided my decision to buy a few more pairs for a hike along the Pacific coast a few months ago. My new Darn Toughs did not disappoint. They stayed in place and never rubbed me in a weird way. On top of that, when I stopped moving for the night, my feet were still pretty dry when I took my boots off. These socks are an example of getting what you pay for. I would strongly recommend packing at least one pair to be "morale socks" if your hike gets rough.
I'm a forester, hiker, and hunter. I wear these year round and wear no other socks, even when in town. I get two years minimum from these socks, though some pairs have lasted 5 years! The Darn Tough replacement warranty is real, but it won't cover our dog getting into the hamper and chewing the soles out. So I'm grabbing a couple extra. These are worth every penny, especially if REI has them on sale.
I've finally found the world's most awesome socks! I got the "full cushion" version and they are amazing. Merino wool beats out regular wool by miles... it's denser and softer and more comfortable and more durable. I've been doing 11 to 12 mile hikes in these with absolutely NO hot spots or blisters. There is one trail i do that has about 20 knee-deep (or higher) creek crossings, so I just wore my "darn tough" socks with my keen targee III water sandals (AWESOME sandals, BTW) and was amazed at how fast they drained and dried in-between crossings, reducing that clammy feeling. I'm certain they will last a lifetime, and i do hundreds of miler per year. They are priced higher but well worth it!
These are the best work boot and hiking socks I have ever owned. I am out working hard on my 65 acres nearly every day and need socks that are comfortable and hold up well. I have peripheral neuropathy in my feet caused by my medications, so dense cushioning is very important - - and these are so comfortable, and so far, seem very durable too. I am now up to 4 pairs. Made in Vermont. I am impressed!
These wear out surprisingly quickly. I only wear them in the winter, but they only make it a few years. They honor the warranty, but I just want them to last longer. I find that Smart Wool last much longer.