Merino Wool: Made for Life's "Darn It." Moments

We have devoted over 40 years of knitting and testing into ensuring our socks can withstand the toughest conditions. As a result, we’ve created the most comfortable, most durable, best-fitting socks on the planet. And we choose Merino Wool as our sock material of choice because it’s wildly durable and adaptable.

Because we make the toughest socks worn in the most extreme conditions, we tend to find them in unusual circumstances. Thanks to the durability, breathability, and thermoregulating abilities of Merino Wool, there are many times when our socks come in as clutch hitters to save the day.

Here are some of our favorite customer and staff "Darn It." moments featuring the magic of Merino Wool.

Fishy Business

"On a 30-degree day, while fishing a tournament, I fell into the lake. When I got back on the boat, I wrung out my Darn Tough socks, put them back on and wore them the rest of the day without my boots on and my feet didn't get cold at all. These socks are just incredible!" — Tim S.

Where cotton stays wet and causes blisters, Merino — a long-standing favorite of fishermen everywhere — makes amends, so we knit most of our socks with it. Moisture wicking and thermoregulating, Merino ensures your feet stay dry and warm even if (and when) they get wet.

Marshmallow Feet

"My first pair of Darn Tough socks lived up to their name! Put 'em on then built a fire; so far, so good! An hour later I stepped on a tiny, errand ember but didn't notice. These suckers are SOOOO well-made that the extra cushioning saved my skin from achieving a s'mores marshmallow quality! Not only did they prevent a burn, but the excellent quality of the fibers means I can salvage them with a bit of darning repair magic." — Hollie D. 

You can hold your socked feet to the fire, just not for too long. Like marshmallows, not only are our socks cushioned, but they’re also fire-resistant (not fire-proof) thanks to the natural wooly wonderfulness of Merino Wool. But if an ember puts a hole in your sock, our warranty has you covered.

Rainy Miles and Unrelenting Smiles

“Nine people. Fifty miles. Endless rain. My husband, seven children, and I embarked on the Foothills Trail in South Carolina this past spring, hoping for a solid shakedown before our Appalachian Trail attempt next year. Within five minutes of starting our hike, it started raining, and in hindsight, we would have seen that for the omen it was. Every one of our four days on the trail included hours of rain, and every night was more of the same. When the rain did stop, the humidity meant that literally nothing was ever dry.

"However, even in the face of all that moisture, our kids gallantly and cheerfully took on 10-14 miles on each of our hiking days. The rain was tough, but they were far tougher. I was so thankful for their spirit, and for a much better AT shakedown than we could have imagined. 

"I know good socks and happy feet were a huge part of everyone maintaining their morale. We came off the 50-mile rain-soaked trail with about three mild blisters between the nine of us. Darn Tough socks have been our go-to for a while, and we’re even bigger fans now. If anyone can match the toughness of our kids, it’s Darn Tough socks!” – Laura T. 

These kids will remember this trip forever. Their socks will last many years of wear as a souvenir to remind them of the comforts of an otherwise uncomfortable situation. Sock preparation pays off (good thing Merino is moisture-wicking and anti-blister).

All Terrain Socks

"When the soles of my hiking boots suddenly fell apart just 5 miles into a 20-mile backpacking trip, these socks were the only things I had to hold the boots together, through rocky terrains and river crossings. These socks are truly Darn Tough! Thank you for saving my life and allow me to finish the hike and get back to the parking lot safely!!" – Jessica T. 

These socks were glue that held this adventure together thanks to the durability of Merino Wool. We’ve heard of many stories where our socks have gotten people out of sticky situations, but not one where our socks were used to keep shoe soles on until now. Though there was that time they were used as mule-shoes....

Socks for Any Weather

“In Grand Teton National Park in the beginning of summer I went for a 9 mile hike. At the time I didn't have any hiking boots so I wore sandals with a pair of my darn tough socks. On the trail I was surprised by snow. Everyone I passed thought I was crazy but every time snow got on my socks, within a few minutes they were dry again. They kept my feet warm and dry the whole time. The rest of the summer I wore Darn Tough socks on my adventures, mountains or desert, snow or dirt.” – Emlyn S.

Iffy forecast? Don’t fret, Merino Wool’s thermoregulating properties will keep you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot. Also, if your feet get wet or sweaty, the moisture wicking properties will dry them out.

Don’t Let the Hunt Go Cold

"I was out hunting, and my water-proof boots turned out not to be waterproof. My feet got completely soaked. These socks saved my feet and my hunt! Within minutes my feet felt like they were getting dryer. My mind was blown, I had no idea socks could do this!" — Brandon M.

Nobody wants to leave the trail due to broken promises and wet socks, that’s why we use Merino Wool and Unconditionally Guarantee our socks. Plus, their odor-eliminating properties will help your foot funk remain undetectable.

Thin Socks for Thick Ice

“I live in Northern Minnesota, in the Land of (over) 10,000 Lakes, where it regularly hits well below zero in the winter. Also, I like to figure skate, which can sometimes be a challenge in cold weather.

"Enter Darn Tough socks. They provide me and my little figure skaters the thinness required to fit in a skate, but they also provide warmth that a regular cotton sock doesn’t. That’s why Darn Tough socks have saved our family’s skating game." – Nathan-Sarah Shaulis

You're on thin ice with cotton socks, but Merino Wool will keep you warm and dry while leaving the bulk behind.

A Whole New Meaning to Our Lifetime Guarantee

"I was walking down incredibly steep, wooden stairs to the basement of our old farmhouse, tools and trinkets in hand. I slipped off an upcoming step, falling forward down the stairs. Suddenly, I stopped falling forward.

"Mystified and full of adrenaline, I carefully stepped down with my forward (previously dangling) leg, and looked behind me to find that the sock on my back foot had caught onto a slightly protruding nail, with just a few strands of yarn wrapped around, literally holding my body's weight from falling.

"Sadly, the sock (I believe it was a Scout Twisted Yarn style) got a hole. Luckily, the socks were guaranteed for life and they probably saved my life.” — Leyna J.

When we talk about our Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee, we are usually referring to the warranty on our socks, but in this case, our socks guaranteed her life - thanks to the incredible fiber strength of Merino Wool.

Have a “Darn It.” Story? Share It With Us

We love hearing about your expected and unexpected adventures. If you have a story about a time when you were in a sticky situation, but our socks saved the day – let us know.

Remember: Wear your socks with confidence. Go as hard, or darn tough, as you wish. When or if something happens to your socks — Darn It. — don't worry, we'll replace them. Just check out our warranty page, fill out the form, and return them for a new pair.