Smartwool Socks or Darn Tough Socks

Merino wool socks are amazing. They can be worn year round and are some of the best technical socks you can buy. Smartwool and Darn Tough are two popular makers of merino wool socks. Here is a short video about what sets them apart.

Here are some samples from both companies:

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[brunosco]

To sum up the video: Smartwool socks are smarter and Darn Tough socks are tougher.

[TopTierTally]

Love seeing a podiatrist putting practice into practicality; speaking to consumers with a doctors clinical recommendation is reassuring; thanks

[H.C.Q.]

I wore Smartwool socks in Russia in the dead of winter for months. They kept my feet warm in extremely cold weather while walking for miles.

[danielmcgregor]

Swear by darn tough. They're comfy and do last forever.

[keenobservations]

I love my darn tough socks, I wear steel toe boots inside a warehouse 9 hours a day and my feet love these socks. Now if my wife hasn’t done laundry and I’m stuck wearing my Fruit of the loom brand socks I actually hate taking a break because my feet hurt when I have to stand up again. Darn Tough are great socks

[MikeSamuelsII-vegp]

Been wearing the same Smartwool socks for almost 15 years, very good product.

[ArnieD]

When it comes to wool socks it is in one's best interest to read the labels carefully.

[hunterscrackdealer]

Haven’t tried Darn Tough… but I love my Smartwool snowboarding socks!

[johnb]

I have some Smartwool medium weight hiking socks, and they perform very well. One day last year, I wore them and hiked 5 hours and bicycled 4 hours and my feet were fine. My favorite sock that I wear year round is the Woolrich Big Wooly. It is a heavy weight hiking sock made out of 88% merino wool, 10% stretch nylon and 2% Lycra Spandex. I bought all 7 pairs they had at the Nordstrom Rack near me for only $14.97 a pair in December 2021. The Big Wooly's are the best non-scratchy socks that I have worn. I even used a pair as make shift mittens in zero degree weather, and my hands stayed warm. Since switching to socks made mostly of wool and not containing any cotton, I no longer get blisters.

[patrickirish]

I have to say I own both and I find darn tough vary lots depending on the variety you buy. I love the darn toughs I have more than any other wool socks, by far!

[docjnsna]

I used smartwool for years but have since switched to darn tough as they last longer and I prefer the denser weave.
Another sock I consider superior to both of these are Dahlgren alpaca socks I bought on sale years ago. Still have both pairs

[cobbler]

My conclusions after years of wearing both:

Smartwool socks for running
Darn Tough socks for rugged/Alpine hiking
Smartwool BICYCLE socks for easier hiking, w trail runners and/or in hot weather.

Note: I don't like much cushion when I run, and DT's socks are all a little too thick for that purpose as far as I'm concerned. The SW bicycle socks were a nice discovery. Lightweight enough for running and not as thick as your standard DT hiking sock. They shine on trail walks/hikes.

Don't trust REI merino wool hiking socks. They start getting beat up after one or two wearings. I would apply this to pretty much all those brands he mentioned at the end as well. Everyone wants to dip his toe in the merino wool pool, but almost all try to do it on the cheap.

[ashtonhatch]

I wear Grip6 Merino wool socks. They are the best socks I have ever worn.

[godofstones]

I bought a pack of Kirkland merino wool socks from Costco. 57% wool, 40% nylon, 3% spandex. My first time wearing wool socks and these feel pretty good so far. I'm not a very outdoor person so I just want something that feel comfortable, can handle moisture since I sweat a lot and decently durable. Price is hard to beat so it'll probably be a while until I try buying other more expensive socks from Darn Tough or Smartwool.

[mr.skeptical]

Darn tough are the best for hiking hands down!

[sonofjoanne]

Like you, started w/Smart Wool, then was introduced to Darn Tough. I'm an "outdoors person" (who doesn't wear camo in public) I agree with your analysis of the materials. HOwever, I haven't found Darn Toughs to slump down any more than SmartWool's do. And I do test them well wearing waders and 9-10" hunting boots. Which I prefer depends on the individual sock design, and how would one know until until one tries that sock in that application? I endorse either/both. They are just a bit different. Darn toughs DO last longer, but BOTH last.

[georgeclark]

I wear any brand merino wool socks that are at least 80% wool, and any wool socks, not necessarily merino wool, that are at least 80% wool in the winter, usually two pairs, properly sized so the outer layer isn't too tight. Thusly I have never tried either of these brands because I like more wool in my wool socks.

[killacoiler]

Darn Tough makes a series that are designed with Airmen in mind and have a military approval for flight Crews that contain a much higher level of Merino wool and are designed similarly to the Smartwool sock. They are much more cushioned than the ones depicted in this video.

[rrrcats]

Ballston's light or medium weight is an excellent value for the money.

[chrissanchez]

I would like to add that Darn Tough have different styles of socks that are more dense and have different ratios of merino wool/nylon/lycra to them (Just as I imagine smart wool does as well). I personally wear the tactical version (T4033's and T4050's).

You may appreciate this little nugget, but I've found that these thicker versions offer my feet additional cushioning support that I previously would have only attributed to better insoles. I do a lot of standing on my feet at work, sometimes 10+ hours a day, and these socks just comparatively make my day feel so much better than wearing regular socks. It's a difference of having foot and back pain (and sweaty feet), vs not.

And lastly thinking back on it, the real kick in my rear to purchase these socks was not because of the comfort, but because I was looking for thick sock to keep my feet warm in refrigerated rooms. Overall, I'm glad I discovered these, and I'll be a lifetime customer no doubt.