Sock Gifts for Everyone You Know

Two people under a Christmas tree, one person passing the other a gift (of Darn Tough socks)

In a completely unbiased take, we think socks make the perfect holiday gifts. More specifically, we think Darn Tough socks are the perfect gift.

Not only are our Merino Wool socks super comfortable and functional for anybody, but they’re also made to last forever and backed by our Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee. And with so many designs, patterns, and colors, there’s a pair for anyone and everyone on your holiday list.

Sometimes giftees fall into prototypical categories, and that can make holiday shopping straightforward. But most people are unique flowers, each with their own passions, idiosyncrasies, and sock preferences. Here are some we’ve come across, with some handy gift suggestions they’ll be sure to love.

The Cozy Homebody

Two pairs of feet wearing matching warm socks by a cozy fire

Does their home smell like books, cinnamon, and a crackling fire? If so, you might have a Cozy Homebody on your hands. Cozy Homebodies live for rainy days, enjoy snowstorms, and have multiple fashion levels of pajamas — depending on occasion. They love spending spend the holidays curled up with a book, sipping on tea, and gazing out the window at freshly fallen snow.

Thick and cozy, these socks are perfect for wearing around the house, with or without slippers. Breathable Merino Wool is also great after their feet overheat from being buried under a blanket for hours.

Gifts for the Cozy Homebody

A pair of feet in the Men's Home Base Quarter socks, with a soft heather look

Built like a tank for aggressively lounging, the new Home Base invites hardcore relaxation with its fluffy cuff and smooth 1x1 ribbed leg.

Men's Home Base

A pair of feet in the Women's Home Base Quarter socks, with a soft heather look

Put your day on “Do Not Disturb” in the plush comfort of the Home Base, with Heavyweight full cushioning knit and a supple cuff.

Women's Home Base


A pair of feet on a couch wearing the Men's Mountaineering Micro crew

Sleet, freezing rain, sub-zero wind chills, snow? More please. Our Mountaineering sock never heads for shelter.

Men's Mountaineer

A pair of cozy-looking feet in the women's mountaineering micro crew socks

Beefy in personality, versatile in form, our cushy Mountaineering sock makes the most of big summit efforts and down day energy

Women's Mountaineer


The Luxury Lover

Two pairs of feet sticking out of a sleeping bag wearing luxurious socks

The Luxury Lover believes comfort is a lifestyle unachievable without a complementary mindset. Living at a nearly enlightened level, they treat themselves to the finer things, like heavy doses of fresh air, silent meditation retreats and how their feet feel in an ultra-soft pair of socks. That’s the level of indulgence they’re working with. More like meta-physical indulgence than blatant over-consumerism.

With a softness one needs to feel to believe, these Merino Wool socks can make every occasion feel special on their journey up the hierarchy of needs. The fun prints and colors are just a plush bonus.

Gifts for the Luxury Lover

A pair of feet wearing the Number 2 sock, featuring a rocket ship outhouse

The Number 2 sock is No. 1 when it comes to long-lasting toughness and active comfort.

Men's Number 2

Feet wearing the Treeline socks, with a beautiful treeline pattern and a moon

Cushy Merino Wool construction absorbs impact and minimizes moisture in the Treeline.

Women's Treeline


Feet on a yoga pad wearing the Ranger sock with super soft twisted yarn

The high-loft and easy-going style of our Ranger sock makes for a cushioned cruise around the village.

Men's Ranger

women's feet in twisted yarn socks, the softest socks we knit

The Women's Ranger features our silky Twisted Yarn, upgraded durability, and softer wearability.

Women's Ranger


The Fashionista

A casual yet stylish couple seated on steps wearing great socks and shoes

“Socks, but make them fashion,” is something you might hear from the Fashionista. Everything they wear is thoughtfully curated to make a statement and add a touch of their personal flair to even the most mundane situations.

Colored and patterned dress socks might be a sneaky way to show off or just a cog in their style wheels. Either way, practicality no longer needs to come second with these Merino Wool socks that blend fashion and function in a way even the hippest style lords can appreciate.

Gifts for the Fashionista

Feet wearing dress sneakers and a striped sock with Godzilla on it

Monstrously comfortable and friendly, our Men’s Animal Haus lineup is as tough as it is playful.

Men's Animal Haus

Feet wearing pink striped socks with crows eating ice cream

The Animal Haus sock has a menagerie of benefits, like exotic style and soft, fluffy Merino Wool.

Women's Animal Haus

men's feet wearing the Druid, a striped men's dress sock, in shades of blue

With colorful stripes and the all-day comfort of Merino Wool, the Druid socks emote style anywhere they go.

Men's Druid

Feet wearing the Pixie, a women's striped dress sock, in shades of red and green

A modern spin on classic stripes, our women's Pixie is a short stack of style, cushion and fit.

Women's Pixie


The Quality Parent

Two people on a couch, with their feet in frame in matching boot socks

For the Quality Parent, socks aren’t just a “checking off the box” gift, they’re a statement illustrating your adult mindset. Like how buying one good thing that lasts forever is better than re-buying cheap replacements over and over. The Quality Parent tends to remain budget conscious while appreciating the quality of something that lasts forever.

Typically, this is a tricky proposition. But these socks highlight your fiscal responsibility, have a timeless style, and come backed by a Lifetime Guarantee (like all Darn Tough socks). This is also a quote you can use to illustrate how grown-up you are.

Gifts for the Quality Parent

Feet wearing the Men's VanGrizzle sock with an elk pattern

Named after a 70's band that used to perform at lean-tos along the A.T., the VanGrizzle is seasoned for sure.

Men's VanGrizzle

Feet wearing the Women's Vanna Grizzle socks with a moose pattern

Rooted in vintage sweater jacket aesthetic, the Vanna Grizzle adds geometric flair to every occasion.

Women's Vanna Grizzle


The Opt Outsider

Two sets of feet out on a trail, ready for hiking

This relative probably biked or walked to the family get-together, or at least has plans to get outside and back to adventuring as quickly as they can. Can’t blame them. We’re even a little jealous. Maybe next time they invite you on an early morning hike you can tag along. Maybe.

For the Opt Outsider, hiking socks like these that offer extra cushioning, support, and durability are perfect partners for their hiking, backpacking, and trail mix recipes.

Gifts for the Opt Outsider

Feet in hiking shoes and the 1466 Hiker Micro crew in red

From the AT to the Pacific Crest Trail, our "1466" Hiker raised the bar on what the ultimate hiking sock needs to deliver.

Men's Hiker Micro Crew

Feet in the women's hiker micro crew in light brown

The Micro Crew has earned a hallowed place in the hearts of many a thru-hiker who demand more from a sock.

Women's Hiker Micro Crew


Feet wearing the Hiker boot sock in dark gray

"Must pack" durability meets undeniable comfort in a Full Cushion sock that absorbs the rigors of the trail.

Men's Hiker Boot

Feet wearing the women's hiker boot socks in blue

If you're a serious thru-hiker, we built this sock to outperform and over-deliver when you need them most.

Women's Hiker Boot


The Minimalist Fitness Enthusiast

Three runners headed full tilt down a street

When does the Minimalist Fitness Enthusiast sleep? Trick question — they don’t. This person runs on roads, trails, coffee, and endorphins. With the right socks they can finally rest easy — at least for a little while — before setting some new PRs.

Complement their high-performance gear (and life) with some of our Merino Wool running socks. Designed to wick moisture, provide arch support, and reduce blisters, they’re ideal for runners, cyclists and anyone who spends a lot of time working out.

Gifts for the Minimalist Fitness Enthusiast

Feet by running sneakers wearing gray no show running socks

Our No Show Tab men’s running sock features a silky cuff, high-performance flex zones, and supportive fit.

Men's Ultralight Run

Feet wearing purple ladies' running socks

Slip on this ultra-lightweight Merino Wool sock for blister-blasting protection and sweat-wicking power.

Women's Ultralight Run


Men's feet in bright orange socks for running

If this lightweight Run sock was a character you were building in video game, you’d need to unlock a few levels to dial it in.

Men's Lightweight Run

Women's feet in black running socks

The cushion in the Element gets praised as a rebounding bed of comfort, making even your toughest miles feel bouncy and breezy.

Women's Lightweight Run


The Snowbound Soul

A nordic skier headed across a snowy landscape

If calls and texts go unanswered when the snow starts falling — don’t take it personally. The Snowbound Soul lives for powder days, while the rest of life fades into the background. They’ll be back. When the pow days slow down.

Ski and snowboard socks are a great way to keep yourself on their mind. If they’re clocking as many days as they claim, fresh, high-performance, breathable Merino Wool socks like these are going to be an invaluable addition, because they pretty much live in their gear (and perhaps their Subaru).

Gifts for the Snowbound Soul

Feet in the men's Yeti socks, about to put on snowboard boots

Made with midweight Merino Wool, the Heady Yeti blends winter landscapes with creature comforts.

Men's Heady Yeti

Feet kicked back in the lodge, wearing the women's Yeti socks

This beast of an all-mountain performance sock smooths the ride with the perfect amount of cushioning.

Women's Yeti


Nordic skier in Merino socks putting on their boots

The Oslo sock appreciates the details of comfort while you appreciate the world of touring on snow.

Men's Oslo

Nordic skier in pink ski socks, putting on their boots

The Oslo features two crossing cushion lines over the top of the foot for a comfortable, yet precise fit.

Women's Oslo


The Family Photo Person

A couple with the feet sticking out on a couch, showing their coordinated holiday socks

Remember in the early 90s when families would get studio photos taken wearing matching turtlenecks and acid-washed denim jeans? Fun, funny, and efficient. People should really bring that back, then print out the photos and put them above the fireplace.

Keep the tradition alive — albeit a bit more functionally than denim — with a set of coordinating socks for the whole family. What better way to bring everyone together for a moment of family solidarity before setting them free to forge their own paths with comfortable, Merino Wool-clad feet?

Gifts for the Family Photo Person

Feet wearing Bark Avenue, a pink holiday sock with dogs all over it

Soft, supportive, and posh, this knit won’t bark at you. But count on it keeping you company fur all of eternity.

Bark Avenue

Feet wearing the Bunny Slope, a holiday sock with sledding animals

Cozy, cushioned, and carving with critters, this holiday sock redefines what it means to send it in style.

Bunny Slope


Image showing matching men's and kid's Light Hiker socks

Perfect for dad and lad, this Light Hiker bundle leaves nothing to chance when lacing up for your next big adventure with dad.

Men's & Kids' Light Hiker

Matching women's and children's light hiker socks in pink

One of the greatest lessons an outdoorsy mother can teach her child is that to go farther you have to go lighter.

Women's & Kids' Light Hiker


The Weather Warrior

A person seated in truck bed pulling on work socks and boots on a snowy day

It doesn’t matter if it’s by choice or a requirement of the job, but the Weather Warrior is outdoors in it all. This person spends long days braving the elements — working, hunting, fishing, and splitting wood, but never complaining.

At the end of the day, the Weather Warrior appreciates the practicality of warm, dry socks more than most. Our no muss, no fuss Merino Wool work socks are built tough and made for people who appreciate using the right tool for the job.

The Weather Warrior may not say a lot, but getting a small nod of acknowledgement is basically their equivalent to a hug.

Gifts for the Weather Warrior

Feet wearing the men's steely boot socks in brown

Steely delivers Full Cushion comfort throughout the entire sock and around the clock.

Men's Steely

Feet wearing the women's steely boot socks in deep blue

The women’s Steely is a full cushioned work sock that’s reinforced in the toe box and high-traffic areas.

Women's Steely


Feet wearing the John Henry work socks in brown

Discover comfort, durability and fit that works all day with the John Henry socks - tough as nails and knit from Merino Wool.

Men's John Henry

Feet wearing the Ida May work socks in gray

You don’t need talent to work hard… just the right pair of cushioned Merino Wool socks, like the Ida May Micro Crew.

Women's Ida May


The Holiday Host

A person pulling burnt gingerbread cookies out of the oven

Finding amazing recipes online is one thing, but the Holiday Host often finds executing them to be not so cut and dry. No one is going to fault them though. It’s the thought that counts — and they’re thinking super hard. From burnt cookies to undercooked turkey, it’s not like they aren’t trying.

We love them for their effort, so show them appreciation with a pair of cozy, thick-knit socks to keep them comfortable while they try and try again. Even if their cooking skills aren’t top-notch, their feet will be. Plus, new socks are a great excuse for everyone to take an after-dinner walk to let the smoke clear.

Gifts for the Holiday Host

Feet wearing the Gnawty List, a holiday sock with a beaver getting a Christmas tree

Tough, moisture-wicking, and only slightly irreverent, this sock deserves a place on everyone’s list.

Men's Gnawty List

Feet wearing the Women's Gatewood, a striped boot sock

Built tough. Designed beautifully. The Gatewood is a versatile, full cushioned boot sock.

Women's Gatewood


Feet wearing the Close Encounters, a micro crew sock with an alien and Sasquatch toasting

Flying-saucer-worthy style comes easy in the Close Encounters hiking sock. So do massive peak bids.

Men's Close Encounters

Feet wearing the Northwoods, a micro crew sock with a hiking trail pattern

We made the Northwoods hiking sock to work hard. But hard labor is no match for their soft, snug fit.

Women's Northwoods


The Tireless Traveler

Two hikers out on an exciting trip, traveling to beautiful places

Know someone whose idea of a vacation is backpacking through Europe? Instead of spending time by the pool are they setting morning alarms and planning daily itineraries? Sounds like you may have a Tireless Traveler on your hands.

The only thing getting more use than the Tireless Traveler’s passport are their socks. Give them a couple pairs of Merino Wool socks that they don’t need to wash every day, and they’ll be set for all the “vacations” they have lined up.

Gifts for the Tireless Traveler

A foot on a rock in hiking shoes wearing socks with a sunset over mountains design

We took a post-worthy mountain view and put it on a Merino Wool hiking sock, the Sunset Ridge

Men's Sunset Ridge

Feet wearing the Sunset Ledge, a hiking sock with a mountain sunset pattern

The Sunset Ledge's low-profile leg is knit in our signature Micro Crew height for a contemporary style.

Women's Sunset Ledge


Crossed legs wearing the Heady sock with sandals

Ultra durable, exceedingly comfortable, The Heady Stripe will make it in the pack every time.

Men's Heady

Crossed feet wearing the Heady Betty socks, in pink and gold

Blaze your own path with the Lightweight, trail-ready performance of the Women’s Heady Betty.

Women's Heady Betty


The Christmas DIY-er

A pair of feet standing in a tangle of tree lights

Untangling, organizing, and stringing up hundreds of feet of lights is a tall order, but one the Christmas DIY-er relishes. The day after Halloween, they’re in the garage taking stock and creating wiring schematics for their latest holiday masterpiece. They love seeing the look on people’s faces and being able to point out their house from an airplane seat.

That’s a lot of time standing outside, crawling on roofs, and climbing trees. If anyone would appreciate warm feet after all that effort, it’d be them. Unlike their lighting arrangements, these socks are full-on function over fashion, because the Christmas DIY-er wants their hard work on display, not themselves.

Gifts for the Christmas DIY-er

Feet wearing the Stanley K work socks in gray with rubber boots

A lightweight work sock, the Stanley K features an extended toe box for impact protection and our durable, performance fit

Men's Stanley K

Person seated on ladder showing their feet in the Emma Claire socks

Cushion underfoot gives welcome relief during long days on your feet, while mesh windows help everything breath.

Women's Emma Claire


Are these personas still feeling a little too specific? Or not specific enough? People contain multitudes. We get it. When in doubt, don’t stress, hit them with a gift card, and give them the power to choose. With so many solid Merino Wool options ― all backed by our Lifetime Guarantee — it’s impossible to go wrong.


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