Experiencing a touch of buyer's remorse, as I recently purchased 4 pairs of Smartwool socks, believing them to be the best (had a pair since '97 and still no holes - though I haven't worn them that often), and now wish I had mixed it up with a couple pairs of Darn Tough socks.
I wear "Darn Tough" socks everyday. They're made out of merino wool. The only regret I have is that I haven't found them sooner. They are tough wearing and non-smelling, even after 2 weeks of casual and continuous wear. They keep my feet comfortable, dry, warm in winter, cool in summer. I used to have a problem with Athlete's Foot, those problems are a thing of the past. Best socks I've ever owned!
Because he can. If you haven't listened, they are bacteria killing. They're meant to be worn for a time, before needing a wash. Which is why the price is a little higher than the average sock. I own several pairs of merino wool, and let me tell you, its true! They're very good socks, but your going to pay. If your used to cheap socks, your going to have to change every other day. But alot of people wear cheap funky socks, that leave your feet sweaty, and bacteria crazy.
Lamont Gaines I agree with you when it comes to the merino wool socks but if you wear a cheap pair of socks to work for 8-12 hour shift you cannot put those back on the next day.
Like he said at the end, The one thing that differentiates these two brands is that smart wool makes many other clothing items while darn tough only makes socks. Their quality control and warranty express how they view their socks.
Hey man, I know this is 5 years late but I have watched you on your Axe channel for the past 3 years and I just happened to stumble upon this video while I am shopping for wool socks. Just wanted to say I very much enjoy your content. On your axe channel as well as this one now that I have found it. Hope all is well. Thank you for your videos. This one was perfect for the info I was looking for.
Darn tough are the only wool sock I can wear, without my skin being irritated. They come in many lengths and colours and patterns now. In Nova Scotia, they are almost $ 30, but are guaranteed for life. I have them in short, about 3” above ankle, mid calf, and knee high. Besides the ones he showed, they also make thinner ones. I don’t know if they are soccer socks, but they easily reach my knee. There is only one problem. They are like a well made leather couch. They last forever. I have about 10 pair now, from treating myself, and from gifts. Lol, I can’t justify buying any more.And they show no sign of wear. Rather than the dryer, they hang dry, which extends the ‘ new’ appearance of any clothes. Thanks for reviewing these socks.😊🧦🧦🧦
A friend put me on to DTV and I haven't looked back since. My uniform boots are insulated and in the summer I sweat like Rosanne singing the national anthem. But not with my DTV socks. I pull my boots off after a 10 hr shift and they are cool and dry.
This video was super informative for me. I love my Fox Rivers but I’m ready to try something new, even though this is an older video it was very helpful!
Darn Tough Warranty: Lifetime Smartwool Warranty: 2 years from purchase date The former guarantees them for life, no questions asked. The latter has a limited warranty, which means limited confidence in their product. I'm currently filing two warranty claims for 1.5-year-old Smartwool socks; one for me and one for my wife. Our Darn Toughs are weathering just fine, though.
Just came across this video. I’ve subbed to your channel because I didn’t see any subscriber count. And because you put in the effort to add some value to me, you definitely deserve a sub! Good luck!
Great comparison review. I love my Darn Tough socks and won't wear anything else. I've tried Smartwool, Cabin Socks from Dick's and other expensive socks and they have all ended up at a Goodwill store. When I hike, my feet are in a pair of Wigwam Coolmax liners, a pair of Darn Tough hikers and a pair of Merrell Moabs. I have not had one blister in three years where before I had to stop on occasion to remove my foot wear and do blister repairs. My moleskin and leuko tape are in the first aid kit for other hikers should they need them.
Smartwool mountaineering socks go on sale a lot, I wear them as slippers, lol. I have ultralight smartwool socks for summer hiking, I love them. Sadly I don't do so much hiking as to wear them out. I have some REI merino crew socks that I wear every day and they're super durable and I love them, but they discontinued the ones I like. Just got some Darn Tough micro crew socks for everyday... they seem perfect, very comfortable and minimal thickness. I am NOT a thick sock person, I find cushiony socks get sweaty and move out of place.
The darn tuff dont seem to wick as well so close to 100 percent wool lol great sock no kidding i just get that heavy clammy foot feeling. Guess its all preference. I've been wearing wool socks since I was 7 and started getting them for Christmas cuz all my grandpa's and uncles are hunters and we lived up north. I will say this whatever brand you choose wool socks are a hundred times better today than they were in the 70s ...lol
DT socks are the best socks ever my feet love them when I first paid 25 dollars for a pair of socks I was like am crazy I could buy like 2 packs of socks at some cheap stores than I put them on and I will never own any other brand of socks ever buy a pair and you will buy more
Thanks, man. Just ordered two pairs of Darn Tough Vermont. Can't wait to wear them! PS: did you wear the smartwool ones at all, how are those holding up?
Look into WeatherWool on RU-vid and Google if you want high quality wool. They will send free samples with free shipping if you click that part on their website
Yup. Darn Tough has some kind of crazy voodoo happening in their weave. Simply (there are a few exceptions, DT sock I actually haven't liked but they're outliers) better socks than any other out there. They perfected "sock".
carl I never wash any of my socks after every use whether they’re wool or not. I’ve never had stinky feet otherwise I think I would’ve washed them after every use.
Seems shoe companies and socks I guess also cater to work related wear for outside work. I work on concrete, inside a building. I need uninsulated boots with socks that are thick enough to wick, while preventing my feet from overheating.
Smartwool quality has definitely dropped. I still own the first pairs I bought over 15 years ago and, in comparing them to newer pieces, they definitely don't compare. They used to be much denser and finer and softer. Its like a completely different and lower quality product now. Really sad. I read somewhere that the company was bought out at some point, maybe that's it.
If you're a thinner guy with thin legs and narrow feet then darn tough is better. For me, the darn tough is a little too tight to be comfortable and feels like a compression sock. This is why I prefer smartwool because they aren't constricting.
I own smartwool socks and was unhappy with them. They thinned out in spots terribly and I'm not talking about just heal or toes. In odd spots. Not recommend at all
Question, I have a job were I deliver auto parts to local mechanics. I wear a pair of steel toe boots, but the socks I have just are not warm enough now that it's winter. Can anyone give me some suggestions on what to look for??
I called darn tough Vermont's customer support, the lady had told me their ski/snowboard line offers really good warmth and then their mountaineer line. I live in Wisconsin, so I thought the hunting would be the best warmth. Not the case. I own both ski/snowboard and mountaineer line. I have a hard time saying what's better considering they both work extremely well in subzero weather with 2000g insulated boots.
Literally every wall including Marino wool and cashmere can be scratchy just like every wall out there can be extremely soft, depending on the grade, the way it was processed, and whether or not it’s virgin wool or recycled wool. If you’re rule is itchy, it’s either a low quality wool, A lower grade of wool, recycled wool or recycled low grade low quality wool. The reason merino wool is preferred for the cold is because it is very slightly warmer than other wools. That being said it depends on the grade of the Merino wool.
I do own a pair of Darn Tough but they’re the light ones. I do like them But I also like my other Marino wool and non Marino wool socks as much., I wonder if Marino wool is overrated. I wonder if Darn Tough is overrated also. 🧦
