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15 months ago in November 2013 I got 5 pairs of the darn tough merino wool socks. Pricey but with the lifetime guarantee figured they'd pay for themselves overtime. I like them as much as or better than any socks I've ever used. These 5 pairs have been used over and over. Since they're all I wear they have gone through about 90 washes of laundry. While I don't run creeks in my socks I do a fair amount of hiking.

Socks usually last about a half year but never a year. So it's a bit shocking there isn't a single hole in any of the 5 pairs. Instead of wearing "out" they have been reduced to a screen mesh. The darn tough part has proven to be the mesh carrier. To tide me over the expected slow exchange/return I picked up a few more today. After months in the sandpaper mesh these feel like slippers!

I recently sent three pairs in for warranty replacement. They've been sitting around for a year, but my current three are getting thin so I figured I ought to get ready for them to die. I rotate through two sets of three pairs (one of each color) of the quarter-cushion. I know they did an upgrade(?) a few years ago. Not sure if there's been a change since. I'll find out soon enough. I've lost count of how many times I've sent for the warranty replacement, but it's been a lot.

I'm about to send in two pair of Darn Tough socks for (free) replacement. (I think that I have to pay postage both ways. Certainly to them.)

Since I didn't want to be without hiking socks for my training hikes, I just bought a third pair of the same model directly from Darn Tough.

I was a bit disappointed because there were a lot of "runners"/loose threads on this new pair.



I don't know if this in the new norm for Darn Tough. And since I don't know anything about knitting, I don't know if it affects longevity.

(I sent Darn Tough some photos asking about QC. Nothing heard so far.)

Since it was my first order with them, I was able to snag (pun intended) free shipping.

I recently read someone complaining about being sent Factory Seconds. So if loose threads isn't the norm for Darn Tough, I wonder if they send Seconds to save money when they pay for shipping?

Last, speaking of shipping, they sent them via DHL. Which in turn, delivered them to the Post Office for final delivery.

It took a week. It would have been faster to send directly via USPS. And DHL's website posted a delivery date of two weeks, even on the day that Darn Tough sent an email saying the socks were arriving that day.

@TooOld2Hike_EP
I have been buying Darn Tough socks for many years, and QC is definitely not what it used to be. When I first starting buying, a pair could last 5-7 years for my usage. I actually have two pair of the original Cabot and Sons hikers that I still wear, probably 10+ years old.

I also have a return in process with 3 pair of socks less then 2 years old.

FYI, if your looking for a good, inexpensive pair of everyday socks, check out CelerSport. They average $3 a pair and the quality for that price looks very good. Their new to me so I can't speak on longevity yet.

Thanks for the confirmation and for the tip.

When I first started buying backpacking stuff (in 2019) I didn't know anything about anything, including all the variation in socks. Thick/Thin, Cushion/No, wool/synthetic, which is best?

I initially bought a thickish pair of another brand's socks, but never backpacked in them. (Looking back now, they are too thick and would cramp my toes in my shoes.)

Somehow I ended up buying micro crew's on a whim.

Turns out that they were a good choice for me. I haven't backpacked a lot, but I haven't had blisters for what I've one. (Max four days with 30+ lbs on my back.)

There are so many variables with shoes and socks - I don't know how one converges on a solution that works for him/her. It could be a lot of trial and error before one finds a combination that works for them.

I have a bunch of pairs of Darn Tough socks, but stopped buying them several years ago when I noticed their quality was starting to decline. I switched to CloudLine socks at least 5-6 years ago, and have been very happy with the quality. Wool, USA made, durable, comfortable. I think they also have a warranty. The price is similar to Darn Tough. I’m partial to the medium cushion work sock, but I also have some of the lighter cushion socks. Their website has 25% off right now until July 7th, which works out to be a pretty good deal.
https://www.cloudlineapparel.com/

@LindaAnn
Tnx. Never heard of them but am checking the link now.

LindaAnn wrote:I have a bunch of pairs of Darn Tough socks, but stopped buying them several years ago when I noticed their quality was starting to decline.

Same here... went to Grip6 and Columbia.
- Grip6 Merino Wool socks when wearing one pair of boots with a slightly tighter fit
- Columbia Men's Mid-Calf Moisture Control Ribbed Crew (thick and soft) when wearing 2 different pair of looser fitting boots, and with my biking shoes.
- Columbia outer sock with super thin inner sock (12+ years old, no idea what brand) when wearing larger/wider Merrell Moab 3 Vista boots, which I only wear on longer and/or more rugged hikes.