The Alternate Stitch

Walking for exercise has many benefits for the body and the mind and is one of the most convenient activities we can do for our wellbeing. Some good, basic equipment will help ensure you get to focus on your walk and not your feet. Here’s a simple guide on how to choose the right walking socks.

In this post I’m going to get into the pros and cons of liner socks to help you determine your best footwear system. Spoiler: I truly don’t think you need liners if you have the right sock and shoe combo. So let’s get into it…

This might be a controversial opinion to some; we get it, socks are personal. Some people only like black socks, or patterned socks. At Darn Tough, we love all socks. Period. We’ll break down what it is about white socks that people love, their unmatched versatility, and how and when to slide a pair on your feet.

“I bought these as a Valentine’s gift for my wife and she loves them. Flowers last a week. These last a lifetime of kisses every week.” — Christopher O.

Gold star, Christopher. 1000/10. We could not have put it better ourselves.

This Valentine’s Day, instead of swiping and swiping to find your soulmate, let’s spend some time finding your sole-mate. Or, if you’ve already got a soulmate, now’s a great time to hook them up with their future sole-mate.

When the weekend rolls around, our Mill doesn’t go quiet — it just gets wilder. The folks who keep Darn Tough running seven days a week prefer it that way. And when they’re not working, their off-hours are just as well spent. From mountain peaks to pixelated adventures, these are the socks (and stories) of our Weekend Warriors.

At Darn Tough, we don’t just give a darn — we donate, volunteer, and recycle them, too. We do it together, as a family. And we let our values lead the way. From donating socks around the world to feeding hungry Vermonters and their families, here’s how we supported those in need in 2025.

Gingerbread is tough. Our socks are tougher. And unlike most cookie castles, what we knit never crumbles. Guaranteed for Life. Remember: your gift says a lot about you. So, instead of making them wince, why not get them something they’ll actually wear?

While most people don’t really want to talk about their sweat, or hear about other people’s sweat, there is a lot of value in speaking from experience and learning lessons from others. 

Merino Wool has many natural benefits, including thermoregulation, durability, breathability, softness, and an unbelievable ability to manage moisture. Though other moisture wicking materials exist, we’ve found the best moisture wicking socks are made with Merino Wool.

There are a lot of types of socks; trust us, we know. Working at a sock company, you quickly learn that there are so many different types of socks, with no shortage of ways to group and categorize them. To make things a little bit easier, we made a (mostly) comprehensive, no-nonsense guide on all types of socks. 

If your socks make an impression (beyond just what people think of them) then you’re going to want to read this article. We’re covering performance socks: what they are, how to ensure they fit, the benefits they offer, and the marks they (might) leave behind.

As a company dedicated to knitting the absolute best socks out there, it’s probably no surprise Darn Tough views socks as all-season wardrobe essentials - yes, even in summer. Let’s bust the myth that wool is just for winter and consider five reasons why wearing wool socks in summer is awesome.

In November 2024, I ran my third 100-mile trail race. It was my slowest and hardest. It hurt a lot — and I still loved it. It’s nearly a year past the race as I write this — so why now? 2025 was a great year – backpacking, trail running, and a personal best in a road marathon– but I also feel that I missed the unique challenge a 100-mile race provides.

Think your winter adventures are tough? Our socks are tougher — guaranteed. We’re revealing some of our team’s most embarrassing winter "Darn It." moments. Check out why our socks are the MVPs, saving more toes and spirits than we can count....

At Fourbital Factory, what we make tells a story, and that story starts with how we choose to make every beanie. So when our neighbors at Darn Tough reached out with an idea — to take excess yarn from their sock production and turn it into a small batch of winter beanies for their Black Friday gift with purchase — we jumped at the opportunity.

Gifting season is here, so we asked six sock experts from the Mill to spill the eggnog on the worst gift they’ve ever received... and the Darn Tough sock they'd recommend gifting instead. Turns out our crew has seen some questionable gifts, but these gifting Darn It stories prove one thing — lifetime guaranteed socks never disappoint.

Most socks? They’re background noise. You don’t think about them until they bunch up, slip down, or rub your heel raw. That’s not performance. That's a distraction. Performance socks are different. They don’t just sit there; they work. They wick, regulate, cushion, and support. Quietly doing their job so you can focus on yours. 

Slippers might be cozy, but they don’t hold a candle to a thick wool sock built for survival in the high alpine. Our Mountaineering socks are cushioned from heel to toe, insulated with heavyweight Merino Wool, and tough enough to handle more abuse than any slipper ever dreamed of... so we knit a Lifestyle version for around-the-house wear.

I am Marcos Biggs, and I have been a passionate snowboarder since 1993. In 2003, I moved to Vermont in search of snowy mountains and a community with a shared passion. For the new Steep Lines ski and snowboard sock, I was lucky enough to serve as both designer and developer.

Have you ever wondered if there was a proper name for a particular part of your sock? Great news, sock nerds, there is, and it’s time we shared our notes! I’m Liz, I work on the Product Team here at Darn Tough, and today I’ll walk you through the anatomy of a sock.