Walking 1,864 miles with Unbreakable Socks: Our Te Araroa Adventure

The Journey Begins

We open our eyes in the middle of Longwood Forest, New Zealand. The hut we’re sharing with six others smells like dirt, firewood, and something suspiciously akin to dead possum. Wind whistles through the cracks in the wooden walls. Now that daylight has seeped in, we can fully appreciate the state of our humble abode — grimy, rugged, and barely holding up.

Outside, the world is wet. Yesterday’s relentless downpour left our shoes and socks drenched. After a quick breakfast of cold-soaked oats, we brace ourselves for the day: a grueling 12-hour trek.

Forty-five minutes into it, I see Linde, my partner, step knee-deep into a mud pool. Her face is a blend of exhaustion and disgust. Naturally, as a good boyfriend, I do what any loving partner would: I take a picture while Lin still tries to smile. Darn it, this isn’t how we imagined things would go.

As we trudge onward, one question looms over us: What have we gotten ourselves into?

Rewind a Few Months…

Not long ago, we were in our cozy home in the Netherlands, lounging by the crackling fire. Lin worked in sales for a corporate giant, while I (Toon) balanced life as a freelance operations consultant and business coach. Life was comfortable—perhaps too comfortable. We craved a challenge. A physical one this time.

We loved nature and had always dreamed of visiting New Zealand. A quick Google search led us to Te Araroa, a 1,864 miles (3,000-kilometer) thru-hike known as “The Long Pathway” in Māori. It sounded perfect. Except for one minor detail: we had virtually no hiking experience. Linde had never even done a multi-day hike, let alone hiking more than 13 miles a day.

Despite the endless reasons not to do it — quitting stable jobs, leaving family and friends, and the physical and mental toll — we decided to take the leap. As Pippi Longstocking famously said, “I’ve never tried that before, so I think I should definitely be able to do it.” Life is short, and now seemed as good a time as any.

Preparation: Gear Up

The research phase began, which, as a self-proclaimed gear nerd, thrilled me. Hours were spent watching YouTube reviews, reading blogs, and hunting for the best deals. Footwear, we quickly realized, was paramount.

That’s when we discovered Darn Tough Vermont, a sock brand renowned for its durability. A former army trainer in an outdoor course once raved about them: “These socks are unbreakable. And if you somehow do break them, they’ll replace them for free.”

With a challenge as formidable as Te Araroa ahead, we needed socks that wouldn’t quit. Darn Tough fit the bill. After considering the diverse conditions we’d face, we chose two styles:

• The Hiker Boot Midweight with Full Cushion (in Charcoal) for those colder, rugged stretches
• The Light Hiker Micro Crew Lightweight with Cushion (in Denim) for warmer days.

The reason was simple — New Zealand’s temperatures would range from the scorching 86°F sun to 23°F in the mountainous, windy areas, and we wanted to be ready for whatever came our way.

The Adventure Unfolds

In February 2024, we stood at the trail’s starting point in Bluff. From there, the plan was to walk the length of New Zealand, ending 1,864 miles north at Cape Reinga. The trail wasted no time testing us.

Day one: a 21-mile march, half of which was on pavement. Easy, we thought. How wrong we were. The monotony of walking on asphalt led to friction, and friction led to blisters — except we didn’t get any, thanks to our Merino Wool socks' excellent moisture regulation.

Rivers, Mud, and the Test of Durability

Te Araroa is notorious for its rugged terrain and over 300 river crossings. These icy, fast-moving rivers are both a physical challenge and a leading cause of accidents.

Our first river crossing was a nerve-wracking 15-minute wobble over slippery rocks. By the time we stumbled out on the other side, we had 12 more rivers to cross that day. Despite soaking wet feet, our socks dried quickly and kept blisters at bay.

Later, in one of New Zealand’s iconic huts, we met hikers going in the opposite direction. They showed us their battered socks — full of holes, barely holding together. “The next section is brutal,” they warned, predicting the death of our socks on the sharp, rocky descents. They were on their sixth pair; we silently hoped our socks would live up to their reputation.

The Tararua Ranges: A True Test

The Tararua Ranges on the North Island are infamous. A seven-day stretch of steep inclines, unpredictable weather, and dense mist make navigation treacherous. Stories of hikers succumbing to hypothermia haunted us as we set off.

On the second night, we reached Parawai Hut. Sharing the space with a father and daughter, we chopped firewood to fight the cold. But our shoes, soaked from river crossings, were still wet.

In a rookie move, I placed mine too close to the fire. Lin warned me, but I didn’t listen. Soon, the smell of burning rubber filled the hut. The front of my shoe had completely melted away.

Turning back wasn’t an option, so we pressed on. After five treacherous days of slogging through endless mud, battling heavy rain, and crossing more than 20 rivers, my shoes were barely holding together. My socks, with my tiny toe sticking out at times, bore the brunt of the open shoe’s rough edges, yet they remained unscathed. It was nothing short of miraculous.

Despite the discomfort, we pressed on, knowing the end was in sight. Finally, we reached the city of Levin, and relief washed over us like a tidal wave.

But our journey wasn’t over yet. The town offered no hope for a new pair of shoes — well, at least not in my size (13 US). The downsides of being a tall Dutch guy were now fully apparent. Just as we were starting to feel defeated, a kind-hearted Kiwi came to our rescue. He offered us a ride to Palmerston North, the bigger city nearby (or at least by car). I don’t think I’ve ever been more grateful for a stranger’s generosity.

Smelly Feet and Unexpected Compliments

Hiking huts have their quirks, one of which is the overwhelming stench of 12 hikers’ feet crammed into a 4x4 space. Yet, oddly enough, Linde and I received compliments — on our lack of odor.

Darn Tough socks, made with Merino Wool, have natural antibacterial properties and wick moisture effectively, keeping our feet dry and comparatively odor-free. Smell, it turns out, is a major topic of conversation among hikers, right up there with gear comparisons and food.

The Final Stretch: Ninety Mile Beach

Ninety Mile Beach, misleadingly named at 55 miles, marked the final leg of our journey. It’s notorious for its sandy terrain, which wreaks havoc on hikers’ feet. The local campsite owner warned us: many start this section unprepared, ending up with blisters so severe they can’t continue to walk and need to be rescued off the beach.

Undeterred, we decided to tackle this section with our longest distance — 37 miles in 16 hours. Starting at midnight, we navigated in darkness, unsure if we were even walking in a straight line. When we finally reached the campsite, exhausted but blister-free, we were profoundly grateful for our socks.

Can you believe that after walking 1,864 miles, I went through 3 pairs of shoes while my socks had zero holes in them? I completed the journey on a single pair. Sure, they don’t look new anymore, and they probably don’t smell new either — but any odor vanishes with a proper wash, and they’re ready for my next adventure. For now, though, both the socks and our legs deserve a well-earned break before the next challenge (hiking in Nepal).

Beyond the Physical: Mental Challenges

Te Araroa isn’t just a physical journey; it’s a mental one. Pushing through exhaustion reveals reserves of strength you didn’t know you had. Adaptability is key.

An example: After our first five-day section, we were sore and desperate for a proper meal and bed. Hitchhiking to the nearest town, Te Anau, took over 1.5 hours. Once there, we discovered every hotel was booked. Our dream of comfort gave way to another night in our tent and eating noodles.

Through experiences like these, we grew tougher. Our mantra for treacherous situations became: We may be tough, but we’ll never be as tough as our socks.

Reflecting on the Journey

Looking back, the journey was as much about discovery as it was about endurance. We learned to appreciate the small comforts, like dry socks, and embrace the unpredictability of trail life.

More than anything, we realized that the right gear can make or break an adventure. For us, Darn Tough socks were more than a piece of clothing — they were a lifeline.

Would we do it all over again? Absolutely. And next time, we’d still put our trust in those unbreakable socks.

About the Author

We’re two adventurers from The Hague who met on the beach playing volleyball and quickly bonded over our love for the outdoors. As we approached our thirties, we faced a choice: settle down or leave our jobs for a year of adventure. We chose the latter, trading city life for the thrill of exploring breathtaking landscapes, capturing our experiences, and inspiring others to embrace the outdoors with a simple, adventure-driven lifestyle. Join our adventures on Instagram.