We've Yet to Design Our Best Hunting Socks

On your feet for hours in harsh conditions? Hunting can be one of the more demanding activities out there— just ask Northwoods Whitetails, who hike 10-15 miles a day tracking down deer. If there’s snow on the ground, they are out there, 30 degree days or zero degree days.

When it came time to update our hunting socks line up, we knew we needed to incorporate input from the people who put these socks to the test in the field. We’re thrilled with the improvements in our newest Hunt socks, and even better, so are actual hunters.

Here’s what we updated, how those changes improve the experience out in the wild, and the fun we had along the way designing and getting testing input from Northwoods Whitetails.

The Feeling Is Mutual

Improvements start from a specific need. In this case, the Darn Tough ambassadors at Northwoods Whitetails brought their tracking-style hunting experience to the table.

“We invited Northwoods Whitetails Co-Founders Joey and Dustin to our Mill to gain insights into their hunting styles, gear, and areas of wear and tear on their socks,” says Jenny Knapp, Darn Tough Design Manager. “This collaboration helped us understand their needs for socks that would last longer and keep them dry and comfortable during their treks.”

For the Northwoods Whitetails crew, coming onboard for a redesign was an, ahem, easy fit. “We've always worn Darn Tough,” says Dustin Martin, Northwoods Whitetails Co-Founder, “but being able to design a hunting stock that suits your needs and being like part of a local company as well — we jumped all over that.”

The Demands of Hunting Are the Reward

Using snow to track their quarry, covering long distances through the woods, and every type of cold and damp weather is just part of the journey for Northwoods Whitetails.

To cover that sort of ground and keep their feet (and legs warm), extra-tall 18-inch rubber boots are the go-to footwear. The high-output, high-demand activity paired with this specific boot presented the question our Product Design team and Northwoods Whitetails tackled — how to balance comfort, breathability, and durability over the long haul.

The Darn Tough team came out with several prototypes, and the Northwoods Whitetails brought in their actual hunting boots to see how it all worked together. Beyond being impressed with the Product team, the Mill itself made an impression on the Northwoods Whitetails crew.

“It just blew my mind how dedicated each individual is and the detail that’s put into every single sock,” says Dustin. “It's like a science — seeing what goes into one sock and then seeing it come out, it's perfection, every single time.”

Over the 2024 and 2025 design seasons, the collaboration was a back-and-forth — prototyping, testing, refining. Pinpointing which zones of the socks needed more cushion, or more breathability. Testing different designs to see which would stay put over hours and hours of wear in the field. Taking notes, and eventually narrowing the designs down to the current lineup.

Improvements Bring Benefits on the Trail

The latest Hunt socks take a different tact than previous models designed for tree-stands, where staying warm is the highest priority (we still have that sock, the 2013, and it will keep you toasty on long days waiting in the woods). The desire to create a hunting sock for those with more active style meant designing for all-day movement, across unforgiving terrain in rugged rubber boots.

The fit was a critical piece — when you’ve got those extra-tall boots, a slipped sock means stopping and taking off your footwear to adjust. The team started with our Over-the-Calf height and Performance Fit, then added segmented shin pads and extra padding in the toe box to buffer feet and legs while navigating the woods and help lock the sock in place.

Rounds of design lead the Product team to bring in underfoot cushioning for long days bushwhacking, and identify high-wear areas, like up the back of the boot, that could benefit from extended terry loop profiling, a technique where we bring in extra stitching to boost durability.

Northwoods Whitetails are out tracking for 10-15 miles a day, across a hunting season that spans from October to December. Safe to say the test socks got put through the grinder. “Add all of those miles up, and I don't notice any type of wear and tear in these socks at all,” says Dustin.

The improvements didn’t stop there — when you’re crushing that sort of mileage in heavy rubber boots, sacrificing breathability and comfort for durability won’t work. The new Hunt sock lineup is built with lighter Merino Wool, with some socks adding in mesh across the top of the foot for temperature regulation and a performance arch to alleviate foot fatigue.

“The team nailed it on these socks, I love them,” says Dustin. “The updates make it so they have a comfortable cushion while still being able to breathe for those warmer days in the woods.”

The Difference Is in the Details

Darn Tough makes many categories of activity-specific socks. And while we’d never say “don’t go for a run in our hiking socks,” we can say you’ll be happier putting those hiking socks in a trail boot, and your running socks in a sneaker. That’s because the design team tailors each sock to the demands of that activity, dialing in the details of comfort, breathability, and fit for what you’ll be putting these socks through.

“Joey and Dustin were incredibly insightful, challenging our team to think critically about their needs and push the boundaries of our designs,” says Jenny. “Their feedback and real-world testing helped us identify specific areas for improvement and innovate solutions that truly cater to the demands of serious hunters.”

After all the improvements, it’s safe to say Dustin has a pair that sits at the top of the sock drawer. “The new lightweight hunting sock is my favorite,” says Dustin. “I prefer a lighter weight sock, and this sock also has cushion in the bottom, so it's comfortable and it's able to breathe.”

And all those details add up. Expert hunters might still wear other Darn Tough socks, but when it comes time to get the hunting boots out, they can tell by feel what will work best. “When I put that lightweight sock on, I can tell the difference,” says Dustin, “the way it molds to your foot and fits in that rubber boot, and being able to sustain the entire day.”

The Best Hunting Sock May Be the One You Don’t Think About 

After all the testing, refinements, and improvements, obviously we’re excited to share the latest about these socks for hunters. But the funny part is how we’ll be even happier if you put them on, and a few hours in, don’t notice.

“When we're out there, we want to enjoy everything that's around us,” says Dustin. That’s kind of the point of hunting: to get out there, and take in the experience. For Jenny, the collaboration was chance to further Darn Tough’s core mission.

“Our team strongly believes that we have yet to produce our best sock,” says Jenny. “Working with Northwoods Whitetails has fueled our passion, and we’re energized by the opportunity to provide our customers with the best comfort, durability, and fit in the market.”

What you’re wearing should be something you think about before, not during, the hunt. Wet feet, sore feet, socks that are bunching up — worrying about the right footwear and socks are the last thing you want to deal with. The goal here is something simple:

“Being comfortable when for the entire day allows you to embrace everything that nature has to offer.” – Dustin.