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Michelle Parker & Darn Tough: Celebrating 7 Sock Designs
We’ve yet to produce our best sock – so when we can get feedback and input from professional athletes about our socks, we jump on it.
We’ve partnered with pro skier Michelle Parker to make skiing socks for a while now, with her latest input resulting in the new Enchanted sock. As we were wrapping that sock design process up, we did the math and realized Michelle holds the record for most sock design collaborations.
Socks Designed with Michelle Parker
Four styles, six distinct colors - all told, Michelle's influence inspired seven distinct ski socks for women. We don't knit all these styles anymore (some are from 2020), but chances are some of you are still pulling out the Sacred in Denim when this next ski season rolls around.
- Sacred in Denim
- Sacred in Charcoal
- Sea to Sky in Teal
- Sea to Sky in Charcoal
- Traverse in Eclipse
- Traverse in Aqua
- Enchanted in Autumn
We had to take a moment to honor that long partnership, so we visited Michelle at her home to get her thoughts on all things socks (including the Enchanted).
Before we dive into the socks you’ve designed, a couple fun questions for you. What do you think the world record would be for sock sliding across the floor?
That is a record that I’d be interested in breaking —world record for sliding on a hardwood floor, with your socks on. I think I could go pretty far; I do practice this on the daily upstairs. I would say it’s at least 25 feet.
Do you sleep in socks? Why or why not?
I go both ways. I sleep in socks, and I also prefer not sleeping in socks at times. I think it depends on the situation. If I’m camping in the mountains, I definitely have my socks on, and they’re Darn Toughs, and they keep my feet warm.
What was your response when you realized you’d helped design seven socks with us?
I loved the process of working on all these socks with Darn Tough. Jenny Knapp and I go back and forth; she sends me color palettes and inspirations boards and mood boards, and I pick and choose.
I love getting that glimpse into the mind of the designer, talking with them and understanding their process. Working with Jenny has opened up my eyes to seeing things in a different light… and maybe building my own mood boards.
I give her everything at first, and she digests that and then sends it back. We tweak it and fine tune it, and eventually we have maybe 20 sock designs in all different colorways to then filter through and fine tune and figure out which is best.
Darn Tough, to me, is a bright company that loves using color, and loves using different designs. You can have fun with it, and not every outdoor gear company is that way, so I love that aspect.
A splash of color, and a little bit of love and light, and like… They make good socks.
With the 7 pairs of socks you’ve designed, that’s enough for every day of the week (though they are all ski socks). But combined with our Lifetime Guarantee, you’ve essentially got enough socks for a lifetime, right?
That’s kind of a trip to think about, but it’s probably true that if you have seven pairs of socks, and in this case, seven pairs that I’ve designed, that I’ve got enough for the rest of my life.
I like that concept because less is more. The less we own, the less complicated life is, and you can simplify it. So invest in good quality stuff, that lasts forever because then you can have less in your life.
Can you tell us about the latest sock you helped design, the Enchanted?
The latest sock that I got to have influence on is derived and inspired by nature, as I am for the most part. Those are earth tones you would find in nature, and I something that was really calming. I’m not sure what kind of tree we chose, but to me it looks very Zen with a couple of fungi poppin’ up.
All of the forest floor and the fungi that connects everything is like a greater representation to me of how we are all connected. I also really love mushrooms and the mycelium that make up the forest floor. I like harvesting them, it’s like an adult easter egg hunt.
The mushrooms and the trees and just that connection to nature is something I need every day. It’s where I am my best version of myself, so I wanted to put that on a sock. And I love the colors.
When you think about Darn Tough and socks, what makes you proud to be associated with us?
What draws me so much to Darn Tough is the quality of the socks and how long they last, but furthermore the company is like one giant family. They’re made here in the United States, which means a ton to me. The socks are just the best, they have a cult following, and there’s good reason for it.
Thinking about performance, what makes you want these socks out on the mountain?
As a skier, I love human-powered exploits, and the sock is such an overlooked aspect of your layers. For me, having a Merino Wool sock makes a huge difference, as does having a sock that fits in all the right places. It’s durable, it lasts forever … it’s the best sock, and totally makes or breaks my day.
Durability is at the core of every sock we make – how does the Darn Tough Lifetime Guarantee align with your personal values?
When I think of making a purchase, I want something quality that will last a super long time. Darn Toughs have a lifetime guarantee; they’re incredibly durable and that’s a huge aspect that draws me to them.
I think durability and the Lifetime Guarantee are a reflection on the way Darn Tough wants to treat the environment and the people surrounding them. If you buy something that’s durable and is going to outlast other socks that you have, you’re investing in the environment.
If I’m going to make that purchase, I’m going to invest in something that has that guarantee.
What words would you use to describe Darn Tough Vermont to someone else?
I’d say, first and foremost, comfort … durability … Merino Wool. They don’t stink; they last forever. There’s so much respect. Darn Tough as a company invests in really good parts of the outdoor community, and they’re just this down-home amazing company.
What words do you think Darn Tough would use to describe you?
Probably a skier, maybe smiley, colorful.
Super smart, too… just kidding!
What was it like for you visiting the Mill?
Before I went to the Mill, I had this idea of what the company was all about, and when I got there, it just affirmed everything.
Everyone working there is smiling the entire time, and they’re warm and they’re welcoming. It just feels like this pretty darn healthy environment to make socks in.
What do you value in a sock, especially a ski sock?
A sock is not just a sock. There is so much to a sock.
I think it is one of the most looked over parts of your kit, especially when you’re outdoors. That Merino Wool is a crucial aspect of your feet being comfortable.
Merino Wool keeps your feet dry, and if they do get wet, they dry faster. They cool your feet in the summertime, and they make your feet warm in the winter time. They’re also preventing blisters because they dry faster.
The way Darn Toughs are designed with a snug fit and extra cushioning on the bottom, or on the shin in my ski socks for example, all plays a functional role in the comfort of your feet, and ultimately, that’s the comfort of your day.
If you get blisters or your feet are uncomfortable, that’s a day wrecker. Socks are overlooked, and Darn Tough does an incredible job making socks that perform, but also have fun designs. Treat your feet.
Which of Darn Tough’s company values is most meaningful to you?
There’s a lot of the core values within Darn Tough that speak to me. The one that sticks out the most is valuing family and differences and being honesty…
But simultaneously gotta give a shout out to, “We have yet to produce our best sock.”
If you think about us as human beings, you’re always striving to be a better version of yourself. And you’re always working on yourself in one way, shape, or form. That is such a good thing to drive at, as an individual — every single day, there’s something that can better yourself.
Darn Tough using that as a company ethos to continue making their best socks is like that carrot on the stick. It makes you do better.
Darn Tough's Company Values
- We are direct, straightforward, and truthful.
- We value honesty and a hard day’s work.
- We are penny foolish and pound wise.
- We are tough, independent, and respectful.
- We value families.
- We value differences.
- We wear it on our sleeves.
- We are authentic.
- We have yet to produce our best sock.
