The Alternate Stitch

We knit a ton of great run socks. However, there is one that stands above all. The sock that hides in your sneaker, but always manages to make an appearance at the top of your sock drawer. The no show tab run sock is our best-selling run sock for a reason.

Throughout a year of both knitting and warrantying socks, we wind up with truckloads of fiber waste. We are proud to say none of that fiber waste goes to the landfill; it’s recycled into new products through strategic knitting initiatives and through our partnership with The Brickle Group.

Common runner lingo can be confusing. If you’re new to running, it can help to feel “in the know” before hitting the pavement. That’s why I’m here to give you a glossary guide to running terminology and the best running socks to pair with any effort.

What makes Darn Tough different? We've spent more than 20 years making Merino Wool socks in Vermont, backed by our Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee. In 2004, we set out with a simple idea: make a Merino Wool sock that actually lasts. 

You could outsource production. Expand into dozens of product categories. Chase cheaper labor or faster scale. Plenty of brands do. But that’s never been our way. At Darn Tough, we make one thing, and one thing only: Socks. And we make them all in one state.

First, let’s address the sheep in the room. Yes, those are real sheep you see in the video. Real Vermont sheep. You see, when we first received the script for this video, there was mention of having sheep on set. Whether that mention meant fake sheep or not is irrelevant.

At age 83, Betty Kellenberger currently holds the record as the oldest woman to thru hike the A.T. That’s reason enough to talk to this elder hiker who earned the trail name “Legend.” Yet it’s her attitude that makes her stand out. 

Darn Tough socks start with the best wool we can get our hands on, from folks who know sheep better than most people know the back of their foot… we mean hand. Then it comes straight here to Vermont, where we knit every pair inside our mills. Here at Darn Tough, we make one thing and one thing only: socks.

Hiking and running socks have a lot in common, so it’s not surprising that you’re looking for some clarity. You might be wondering: “Do I really need both hiking and running socks in my sock drawer?” We’re here to tell you what’s different between the two, when it matters, and why owning both is worth it.

Life is tough. Our socks are tougher. And we back them up with an Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee - so you’re covered when life sends you a “Darn It.” We just received a new batch of “Darn It.” stories that were darn good. Too good not to share.

As people who live, work, and run right here in the Green Mountains, we don’t just make socks; we put them through the wringer. So, these are our top picks for the best running socks for a marathon—tried, tested, and Vermont-made.

Heads up! Father’s Day is the third Sunday of June. If you’re searching for the best father’s day gift ideas…we’ve got three words for you: Father’s Day Socks. You read that right. Darn Tough socks are the ultimate father’s day gift for all kinds of dads – dads-to-be, new dads, experienced dads, grandads, stepdads, dads-in-law. 

For this round of Staff Picks, we checked in with our birthday-month (or close enough) crew to see what socks they’re choosing or wrapping up for the big day. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about socks, it’s about the people who wear them, knit them, and celebrate life in them.

In this post we’ll break down what sock cushion is, why it’s helpful, the types of cushioning options we offer, and give some examples of different activities where you’d maybe want to go with Cushion or No Cushion. 

You're hiking along, feeling good, making decent time. Then you hit a stream crossing and suddenly you're faced with that age-old backpacker dilemma: do I take the time to strip off my boots and hiking socks, or just walk through and deal with soggy feet?

From strategic sock selection to savvy washing and drying, we’ve compiled a quick guide to avoiding the hidden sock destroyers and ensuring you get the longest lifespan from your hiking socks.

Desert hiking pushes your gear harder than almost any other environment. Heat, sand, and long miles all work against your feet at the same time. The right desert hiking socks need to manage more than temperature. This guide breaks down what actually holds up and how to choose socks that can handle the conditions.

Whatever preconceived notions you may have had about hiking sock durability, care, and longevity, leave them at the trailhead. We’re diving into strategies for washing and caring for your hiking socks that will help them last longer than you might think is possible.

Replacing “problem” socks might seem like the easiest fix for many hiking sock-related issues, but that may not help you address the real issue. If you treat the slipping, bunching, and sock movement as a roadmap to the actual cause, you should be able to mitigate future issues and get back to enjoying the trail.

There’s no perfect solution to keep feet dry hiking. But Jenny will share everything she's learned – from her dad and from miles on the trail – to help you choose the best hiking socks for wet conditions and manage what’s in your control to keep them dry.