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Less frequent now are the evenings when you would enter a Scottish bothy and lined up above the fireplace hang a line of hand-knitted thick woollen socks drying out from a long day’s walk. Kit has certainly changed over the years, and we find a lot more attention has been made to the feet. Too many times have we seen a large amount of money spent on a superb pair of boots and then underneath are socks which really don’t stand up well at all. Blisters, dampness, and all blame gets pointed towards the boot when in fact often what should be looked at is the layer closest to the skin.

Darn Tough socks are a high-quality garment aimed for use in the outdoors. Made from merino wool, which is well known for being highly wicking and odour repelling, both pairs of Darn Tough’s socks we received are well designed and come with a lifetime guarantee, so they stand by their work.

The first is the Hiker Micro Crew Socks which is a mid-length, mid-weight, more so traditional style boot sock. The second pair was the Element 1/4 Length Light Cushion, aimed towards walking shoes or trainers and a short lightweight option. This combination covered us well for late winter and early spring/summer trekking.

Being already familiar with Darn Tough it was no surprise that both options are well-fitting and supportive. In a size 9, we chose a medium, which had a nice snug fit with no loose fabric around the heel.

The True Seamless undetectable seam fusion Darn Tough claims to give an invisible feel, and we would have to agree. They are certainly one of the comfiest options on the market and we have never had any issues regarding rubbing, blisters, or pinching.

The ‘Cushion’ Darn Tough refer to comes in 3 separate styles. No-Cushion, Cushion, and Full Cushion. The amount of Cushion will vary depending on the activity you wish to undertake. “Socks with cushion provide added protection for high impact areas, a bit of shock absorption, and extra warmth and comfort. The cushion comes from knit terry loops, which are created by pulling the thread and making a loop between every stitch.”

The Hiker Micro socks are noticeably the thicker option with a standard cushion and a mix of materials 61% Merino Wool, 36% Nylon, and 3% Lycra Spandex. This made for a great option for ‘on the move’ activities in winter paired with a stiffer boot, and general use for spring in a lighter ankle height boot. Wicking away moisture easily working with the Gore-tex liner in our footwear. Whilst providing a bit of extra fabric for comfort and warmth. Not an option for summer or within the depths of winter but certainly became a great choice for between seasons.

The Element 1/4 Length Light Cushion Socks focus more on breathability. At 44 grams they are noticeably lighter with a combination of 53% Nylon, 43% Merino Wool, and 4% Lycra Spandex. The cushion is what Darn Tough refer to as the Athletic category. With cushioning focused on the lower pressure points of the foot and higher up a fine mesh was great for breathability and fast drying. Paired with our La Sportiva TX4 GTX, made for a great combination on big hill rounds in the North West Highlands. Common areas for a mix of rock, grass, and bog.

Our Verdict

There are plenty of great options for socks on the market. Darn Tough is a favourite amongst our guides. This is due to the high-quality build and technical aspect focused on differing seasons and activities. Don’t let your expensive footwear down and pair them with a suitable pair of socks. Both the Hiker Micro, and Element ¼ length are made using a mix of Merino Wool and Nylon to give a great balance of breathability, snug fit, odour control, and long-last durability. Some may find the wide range of styles and separate cushion options confusing but their website is easy to follow with a guide to help make a choice. The lifetime guarantee is also a fantastic extra and really shows that Darn Tough values its product highly.

Trek Scotland is a small family business based in the picturesque village of Tomintoul in the North East region of the Cairngorms National Park. They provide bespoke Mountain Guiding for Single Day Walks and Lightweight Multiday Trekking experiences, including wild camping, in the stunning Cairngorms wilderness and surrounding areas. Whether in the high mountains or lower valleys, their Multiday Treks are equipped with high quality, lightweight camping and trekking gear. They only work with small groups and, whatever your ability, pride themselves on designing your outdoor experience completely to your needs and with professional guidance and expertise. Adventure is waiting... Read more from Trek Scotland