When I first sauntered into my local outdoor store to purchase a pair of hiking-specific socks, I balked at the price tag. “How can something so simple as a pair of foot sleeves cost over 20 dollars?” I groaned, reluctantly forking over my hard-earned cash. But now, after years of trial and (sometimes painful) error, I’ve become a fancy sock die-hard, the kind who gifts bougie pairs to friends and family around the holidays each year.
I’ve logged thousands of miles on the trail in the last few years, in every US national park and across every continent, and, by far, my favorite pair of hiking socks has got to be this sturdy, medium-cushioned merino wool quarter crew from Vermont-based sock maker Darn Tough. They’re form-fitting, naturally sweat-wicking and made in the USA, and they’ve stood the test of time over seven years of my wildest adventures.
Ideal for hikers, trail runners and long-distance backpackers, Darn Tough’s signature quarter-length midweight hiking sock gives walkers durable, merino-blend cushioning where they need it and ventilation where they don’t, and provides ease of mind with a bombproof lifetime guarantee. The come in both men’s and women’s sizing.
What we liked about them
Darn Tough’s Quarter Midweight hiking sock is made with a proprietary blend of 59% merino wool, 39% nylon and 2% lycra spandex, to get that just-right stretchy fit. The wool is naturally moisture-wicking, antimicrobial and odor-resistant (plus, it’s great at insulating, even when wet). Meanwhile, the nylon adds much-needed durability to the mix, which helps bolster that enviable lifetime guarantee.
I’ve logged dozens of miles on the dusty John Muir Trail in these babies and trekked through rainstorms in the soggy mountains of Iceland, and one thing’s for certain — my feet have stayed warm and blister-free in even the most extreme conditions.
Expert moisture-wicking
Like with many similar brands on the market, the primary ingredient in Darn Tough’s Quarter Midweight hikers is merino wool, which, apart from being top-notch at moisture-wicking, is also naturally antimicrobial, meaning that it’ll take a few days rather than, say, a few hours to stink up these socks. Those moisture-wicking fibers come in handy when you’re out walking in hot summer conditions, by pulling sweat away from your foot and toward the outside of the sock. Additionally, unlike cotton or cheaper synthetics, wool keeps insulating your precious toes even when it’s wet — something I was exceedingly grateful for on a recent multiday trek through Tasmania’s soggy rainforest.
Comfy cushioning
As I get older, my poor feet need a bit more cushioning than they once did, especially when I’m hauling around a 35-pound pack, and Darn Tough’s midweight lineup really delivers in this department. This particular design features athlete-inspired targeted protection over the ankle and Achilles to help prevent hot spots and sore tendons. Underneath, soft terry loops pad the ball, arch and heel of the foot for maximum comfort on rugged, rocky terrain. However, if you’ve got heels of steel or you’re looking for a warmer-weather sock, you might be able to get away with the brand’s Light Hiker or Ultra-Lightweight Running Sock instead.
The Darn Tough lifetime guarantee
Here’s where Darn Tough really outshines the competition. Not only are these socks still proudly knit in America, the company also offers a no-receipt-needed lifetime guarantee. If, in several years’ time, your socks have an issue, bust a seam or sprout a hole, Darn Tough will replace them for another pair, no questions asked. I have a few pairs that are still going strong after five to seven years of heavy use, but my dirtbag PCT hiker friends swear that the guarantee is real and easy to enact should you need a new pair.
What we didn’t like about them
When an industry-leading sock is long-lasting, keeps me blister-free and boasts a no-questions-asked lifetime guarantee, it’s pretty difficult to pin down any noteworthy flaws. That being said, there are a few scenarios in which you might want to point your hard-earned sock dollars in a different direction.
Maybe not enough protection
For trekkers who routinely venture out into tick and leech country, a quarter-length sock might not be enough protection to ward against creepy-crawlies on the trail. Likewise, if you’re into scrambling off-trail through spiky brush, a longer hiking sock may be in order. Check out Darn Tough’s Micro Crew line instead (bonus: They come in fun colors and patterns).
Others control odor better
While it’s true that merino wool is far better than synthetic fabrics at managing that oh-so-fun hiker foot odor, alpaca fibers are lighter in weight and even harder to stink up than Darn Tough’s socks. Peru-based Paka also offers a lifetime guarantee and super-cozy socks for cabin lounging and day hiking.
How they compare
In terms of materials used, fit and pricing, Darn Tough’s Quarter Midweight Hiker comes in right in the middle of their competition, but the fact that they are still made in the US after all these years and offer an easy-to-utilize lifetime guarantee set them ahead of the competition. Plus, Darn Tough weaves its socks from 100% RWS-certified (Responsible Wool Standard) merino and uses earth-friendly Repreve nylon.
The closest socks on the market to these puppies are Smartwool’s Performance Hike Mid Crew socks, which are also sustainably made but a touch pricier than Darn Tough, and, in my experience, not quite as durable. Farm to Feet also makes an excellent Damascus quarter crew with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee that lands at the exact same price point, but it’s a lighter-cushion sock than this super-cozy Darn Tough model.
Looking for a sleeker sock at a better price point? Swiftwick’s Pursuit Two is another well-fitted, moisture-wicking mid-length crew that’s sure to put a smile on your face (and feet).
Bottom line
Whether you like to push big miles on overnight backpacking trips or just want a sock that’ll hug your sore feet where you need it most, Darn Tough’s Quarter Midweight hiking sock hits high marks in the key areas you’d want from a hiking-specific performance sock: moisture management, cushioning and high-quality, responsibly sourced materials.
? Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Midweight Hiking Socks: Men’s | Women’s
Not only do these socks sell for the same price as similar ones on the market, but they boast a foolproof lifetime guarantee for the toughest adventurers who go the distance a little too often. Darn Tough’s quarter-length crew are the perfect length for warm weather days spent in boots or trail runners, and they’ll keep your feet happy, protected and blister-free.
