The Alternate Stitch

As an ultramarathon runner, I’m putting a lot of wear on my running socks and am constantly impressed with their comfort and durability. I’ve slowly shifted my entire sock drawer to Darn Tough socks, and I’m thrilled that I don’t have to constantly be replacing my worn-out socks.

Inspired by our own barrier breaking athlete Mirna Valerio, the colorful Mirnavated Ultralight Run sock – sales from which support the non-profit Come Alive Outside – redefines what it means to give back. Learn more about our partnership with Mirna Valerio.

Ultra-runner, public speaker, mother, force of nature – Mirna Valerio inspires us. If you haven’t heard her story, check it out. We're honored to partner with her and are excited to introduce you to the sock she helped us design: The Mirnavated.

We caught up with Mirna, and our Product Design Manager, Jenny (who also likes to sauna but chose to take our call from the comfort of her Northfield office) to discuss their collaboration and process of designing Mirna’s new signature sock – aptly named, the MIRNAVATED.

Athletes Trevor Kennison and Barry Corbet never knew each other, but they inspired a movement. From overcoming injury to paving the way for adaptive athletes, Level 1’s documentary Full Circle chronicles their unlikely journey – 
50 years in the making.

As we explored the industrial landscape of Homer’s bustling waterfront and captured photographs, an idea began to take shape: could we design a pair of Darn Tough socks featuring a special Salmon Sisters design inspired by our Alaskan landscape and way of life?

Growing up in Alaska, the Salmon Sisters were raised tough. They first earned their stripes fishing for wild seafood in the remote Aleutian Islands (where they grew up). Their feet are in rubber boots on the water for up to 18 hours a day, a unique challenge when it comes to designing socks. 

In a town boasting 300 days of sunlight, winter night running is not ideal. But, for the last eight years, I have committed to coaching my local run group, Revolution Running, at weekly workouts. Summer or winter, the group meets at 6pm Tuesdays and Thursdays for an hour-long workout. 

In 2013, The Rut Mountain Runs started off as a 50k and 12k race. We connected with Mike Foote, event organizer for the Rut, to learn more about his passion for trail running and what it takes to pull off one of the largest trail running festivals in North America.

The High Fives sock design revolves around the High Fives logo — a bold number 5 inside a badge. But it’s more than just a logo. The golden sun rising over a tree line symbolizes new beginnings, another day to live life to the fullest — something deeply meaningful to Roy.

We’ve partnered with pro skier Michelle Parker to make ski 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.

We believe, together, we can create a universal shift in adventure sports that expands what is possible for those who have faced life-changing injuries. Since its inception in 2009, The High Five Foundations has helped over 480 athletes and veterans. 

What makes an athlete? Is it the way we carry ourselves, the competitive mindset, the camaraderie and community of a sport? Is it the results, the numbers, the data, the ability to push ourselves to the edge of the human body’s limits on a weekly basis? Or, is it simply the way we look and how society portrays us?

For the past 4 years, a small group of volunteers and myself have been fundraising, strategizing, and jumping through all the necessary hoops in order to be granted the space to construct a state-of-the-art concrete skatepark at Hope Davey Park in Waterbury Center, VT.

When we were first approached by the “nice Cabot Mills folks” to see if we would be willing to bring in a few pairs of their new brand of high-end Merino Wool socks, we did it more to support a local manufacturer than anything else.

In honor of National Trails Day this Saturday, we’re excited to share some history about one America's first national scenic trails and the nonprofit that is responsible for its conservation and stewardship.

The science behind wool is both fascinating and intricate. So, buckle up! We’re about to step into the realm of microns and molecules to explore how nature’s original performance fiber naturally elevates your outdoor adventures.

A lot of folks call the Pacific Crest Trail a home away from home. Every year, thousands of eager hikers set their sights on the path ahead, soaking up sunshine, taking on rainstorms, enjoying the unparalleled viewsheds, and inevitably encountering a few hurdles along the way.

With the warm air on our faces and soft snow beneath our feet, it was all smiles at the Green Mountain Shred-A-Thon. The day kicked off with the ringing of a cowbell in the base area, symbolizing our commitment to give it our all for the day ahead: Bell-to-Bell.

I am proudly High Fives Athlete number 110. I am an athlete because their mission statement IS my life - I suffered a life altering injury doing what I love outdoors. I am proud to be an ambassador for them because it’s a way I can educate and support people that may or may not be going through something similar.

Born and raised in the Green Mountains of Vermont, pro snowboarder Jake Blavulet is our hometown hero, so we asked him some questions so you could get to know Jake like we do.