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Staff Picks: The Birthday Edition
Birthdays. Laps around the sun. Call it what you want. We’re calling it a long run.
The record books list ours as May 30, 2004-ish. The day we showed up to the Vermont City Marathon with 3,500 pairs of the first sock we ever knit, our Run sock, and handed them out. A simple start and a mission that hasn’t changed much since: to knit the world’s toughest socks, and back every pair with a Lifetime Guarantee.
To honor 22 years of knitting the toughest Merino Wool socks, we caught up with our staff who share birthdays close to ours. 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.
Jessica A.
Jessica's Pick: VanGrizzle in Black — New color coming July 1
Position: Finishing Team Member
Jessica’s a Vermonter through and through. She’s Vermont tough — the kind that bears Vermont winters in ankle socks... unless, of course, she’s wearing her cowgirl boots. To quote Jess:
“I can’t stand the feeling of a boot touching my leg.”
To that, we agree — and it certainly influenced her staff sock pick.
Jessica knows good trails don’t end when you leave Vermont. You’ll find her carving through New Hampshire on an ATV, chasing dust, swapping stories, and picking up friends along the way.
When asked what sock she might gift those friends for their birthday, to no surprise, she reached for the moose motif, the VanGrizzle Boot Midweight Hiking sock. A fan favorite and a perfect pair of cowboy boots.
When Jessica’s not shredding Class 4 roads in NH, she’s riding with her motorcycle group, Bikers Against Child Abuse, or playing with her Chocolate Lab Pitbull mix, Shayla.
This year, Jessica’s celebrating five years at Darn Tough. She says, “it’s the people and culture [that make this job great].” We couldn’t agree more.
Thomas C.
Thomas’ Pick: No Show Run Sock in Sandstone
Position: Finishing Team Member II
Thomas is a good reminder that it’s never too late to try something new. Birthdays just give you an excuse.
Thomas is a father, basketball coach, bowler (with 15 perfect games, but who’s counting), and lifelong fisherman. This year, he’s casting a line to deep seas fishing for the first time, spending his birthday on the New Hampshire coast, chasing stripers with his dad.
On his feet all day, Thomas sticks with our No Show Run socks. His reasoning? “Ankles out!” Fair enough. Hard to argue with a little breeze on a warm day.
To know Thomas is to know he’s a family man, but to really know Thomas is to know he has four guinea pigs; Theo, Hamilton, Nelson, Sarah, and a cat named Dennis who keeps them all in line.
El L.
El’s Pick: Prism Micro Crew in Black
Position: Finishing Team Member
El knows how to match a sock to an outfit — or an outfit to a sock, for that matter. Her style is fresh and that’s why anyone would be lucky to receive a hand-selected sock from El.
If you’re giving a pair of Darn Toughs for a birthday, she has opinions. You may want to take notes.
She opts for the tried-and-true Micro Crew. When selecting a sock that goes with everything, she says a black sock is a safe bet, but just a solid black sock lacks personality. This is where the Prism Run sock comes in. The hint of color on the leg really El-evates the look.
Outside of outfitting ankles, El loves hiking Camel's Hump with her Golden Retriever, Daisy. She’s a big fan of a good creek. Daisy, too.
El's got plans to attend school for a business degree. In the meantime, she is part of the family, and we’re more than happy to have her.
Travis M.
Travis’ Pick: Spaced Out in Walnut
Position: Second Shift Supervisor
Travis moves between worlds. From the knitting room floor to mixing sound after hours. he brings the best vibes to second shift.
Travis has an appreciation for texture, rhythm, and atmosphere — the stuff you don’t always see but definitely feel. That’s why Travis’ favorite artist is Anderson .Paak, and why he chose the Men’s Spaced Out Hiking sock. He mentions that he loves a good conspiracy theory too. When Travis isn’t theorizing, he’s out on the golf course tracking UFOs on his own.
Spaced Out works for Travis. A little rhythm, a little range, and comfortable wherever he lands.
Shane M.
Shane’s Pick: Hiker Micro Crew (1466) in Spruce
Position: Machine Operator
Shane’s simple pleasure is cruisin’ Vermont back roads. And as a lifelong Vermonter, he knows how to get there from here. He shares, “The places a Vermont dirt road can take you in autumn are like no other.” We stand behind that statement.
This is Shane’s 7th birthday celebration here at Darn Tough. Which officially makes Darn Tough his longest, and as he put it, “most fulfilling” career.
When asked what sock he wants to receive for his birthday, without a breath, Shane rattles, “1466” — the style number of the Hiker Micro Crew; a true classic and fan favorite. So versatile, you’ll find Shane draining 3’s in them at the local court or pulling off to the side of the road with them kicked up on the dash. That’s one darn good way to admire the foliage.
Jonathan B.
Jonathan’s Pick: Lightweight Hunt in Seafoam
Position: Finishing Tech
If you can fix a boarding machine, you can fix just about anything. Darn Tough’s resident handyman, Jonathan, is celebrating his milestone with a hook, line, and sinker. No, not at the comedy club, but on the Waterbury Revisor fishin’ for small mouth. When talking with Jonathan, he’s methodical, which explains why he is the best at what he does.
When asked which sock he’d want to receive for his birthday, Jonathan casts his eyes on the Lightweight Hunt sock. He says, “They're perfect for my boots.”
After five years in the automotive industry, Jonathan confessed he related more to the folks in the sock industry. It’s safe to say he found his family here at Darn Tough.
Oh, happy birthday, Jonathan.
