The Alternate Stitch

Two hikers heading up the trail wearing darn tough hiking socks
Hiking · How-to · Sock 101 ·
How to Choose the Right Hiking Socks
by Owen Rachampbell

What makes Darn Tough hiking socks so good? And, with dozens of styles and designs to choose from, how do you pick the right pair for you? In this post, I’ll guide you through how to choose the best socks for your next hike, whether that’s a quick jaunt to your favorite local spot, or a several-thousand-mile-long trek.

A hiker seated on ground petting dog, as dog smiles for camera
Hiking · How-to ·
Planning a Thru Hike with a Dog: Four-Legged Trail Partners
by Halle Homel
This is everything I’m doing to get me and my dog Lassen ready to thru hike the Oregon Coast Trail. If you’re planning on doing a thru hike with your dog, I hope you find this helpful.
Appalachian trail sign on a tree
Here in VT · Hiking ·
Of Sorcery & Socks: A Tale of Trail Magic
by Darn Tough Vermont
We recently put together a gear checklist, we made sure to ask hikers about their gear – particularly which items have helped them the most and any they thought were unique or worth sharing.
Graph showing how moisture and clamminess decrease drastically when you change your socks
Community ·
The Life-Altering Magic of Changing Your Socks
by Brendan Leonard
I remember reading someone’s story about camping with a friend, and how they kept rolling over in their sleeping bag, unable to get to sleep. The friend, a grizzled veteran, woke up and muttered, “Change your socks.” The writer did just that, putting on a dry pair of socks, and fell asleep soon after.
Person wearing cute casual socks while petting a cuter dog
Casual & Dress · How-to · Sock 101 ·
How to Choose the Right Lifestyle Socks
by Darn Tough Vermont
The best sock is one you want to wear every day, and we can help you find it. The secret, they say, is letting the sock choose you. But for someone with a lifestyle as adventurous and spontaneous as yours, we feel you might need a little help.
A darn tough employee in front of stacks of freshly knit socks
Here in VT · Lifetime Guarantee ·
A Lifetime Guarantee Starts with Quality at Every Step
by Darn Tough Vermont

Quality was a founding principle at Darn Tough, and we continue to pursue it to the highest degree at every step of the process. Being fully committed to excellence and high standards is how we can back our socks with an Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee.

Two runners stopped to stretch and take the time
Run & Athletic ·
An Anti-Love Letter to Running
by Darn Tough Vermont
Consider this the opposite of a love letter to running. These are the thoughts that have occupied my mind and facts I’ve gathered about running (and runners), that make it the worst.
Five stars appearing under the Darn Tough Vermont logo
Community ·
Seeing Stars: 100K Five Star Reviews
by Darn Tough Vermont
We recently hit 100,000 5-star reviews on our website. We wanted to express our deepest gratitude to all our customers who have taken the time to share their Darn Tough love with the world. We wouldn’t be where we are today without all the unwavering support from our fans.
a pile of merino wool yarn fibers
Merino Wool ·
What Is the Responsible Wool Standard? Ethical Wool Sourcing
by Darn Tough Vermont
Here at Darn Tough, we try to ensure that the wool that we use in our socks comes from happy, well-cared for sheep and farms that ensure their workers have fair and equal working conditions. When it comes to our wool, we follow the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS).
What Sheep Taught Us About Running in Merino Socks
Merino Wool · Run & Athletic ·
What Sheep Taught Us About Running in Merino Socks
by Darn Tough Vermont
Don’t sleep on sheep. From the fleece that provides our Merino Wool to the extremes they thrive in, these animals themselves are an inspiration. They’ve been running around some of the most rugged places on the planet, in some of the most unforgiving weather conditions, for thousands of years.
Two sons and their dad at Darn Tough mill, showing Father's Day gift ideas
Gifts & Holiday · Staff Picks ·
The Sockfather Chronicles: Father’s Day Staff Picks
by Darn Tough Vermont
For this round of Staff Picks, we talked to Darn Tough fathers and their children about which socks are best for Father’s Day. So, without further do, in the words of Dads everywhere… let’s rock ‘n roll.
A wooden sign welcoming you to Vermont's Long Trail
Here in VT · Hiking · How-to ·
Follow the White Blazes: How to Hike the Long Trail of Vermont
by Owen Rachampbell
The Long Trail (LT) of Vermont is a 272-mile hiking route that follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains from the Vermont-Massachusetts border all the way to Canada. Steeped in rich history, the Long Trail is America’s oldest long-distance hiking trail, conceived in 1910 by the Green Mountain Club.
An example of the perfect spoon for hiking and camping
Hiking ·
The Simple Joy of Spoons
by Owen Rachampbell

You can use only one utensil. What do you pick? Simple: Spoon. The unpretentious, effective, and appealing Spoon. While I occasionally use Forks, if I must choose, I will pick a Spoon over a Fork for most meals, assuming both have similar heft and quality (nobody needs to be using a flimsy utensil).

Two pairs of feet sticking out from under a blanket, wearing super soft merino wool socks, no itch
Comfort · Merino Wool · Sock 101 ·
Smooth, Soft, and Soothing: More Merino Wool Myths, Busted
by Darn Tough Vermont
The skin is our biggest organ. No wonder there’s lots of differing opinions and perceptions about what we wear on it. And in some times, and places, wool has carried a reputation for being scratchy, itchy, and even the cause of allergies. What if we told you that the case against wool wasn’t quite so black and white?
Person pulling on over-the-calf supportive socks from Darn Tough
Fit · Sock 101 ·
We Don't Make Compression Socks, but We Do Make Supportive Socks
by Darn Tough Vermont
We compare compression with Darn Tough's performance fit, and look at how supportive, end-use-specific socks may be exactly what you’re looking for. And, if you still really need a good compression sock in your quiver… we’ll point you toward some brands who we think are doing compression right.
Woman starting her run, headed out in pink socks as she passes under a bridge
How-to · Run & Athletic ·
7 Remarkably Helpful Tips on How to Start Running
by Darn Tough Vermont
Whatever your reasons to get started running, the most important thing is that you enjoy the journey. And we mean that literally — if you’re going to keep running, you should like the actual experience between points A and B as much as you like getting to the finish line.
Feet on a sunny day wearing bright socks, in vibrant blue and salmon with a pelican pattern
Community ·
Your Feedback, Our Knits: Say Hello to More Bright Socks
by Darn Tough Vermont
We love reading reviews and have noticed the large amount asking for more bright socks. Even though our best-selling socks are consistently gray or black socks, we take customer feedback to heart. So, we made a ton of bright colored socks, and we decided to highlight a few of our favorite reviews and respond directly.
five examples of black socks from darn tough, on a grey background (of course)
Community ·
Tried & True: Black Socks & You
by Darn Tough Vermont

Do your black socks reflect your personality? Should they? Are you brooding, mysterious, and a bit of a rebel? Or do you just think socks should remain the plain and simple workhorses you need them to be? Either way, black sock-lovers, we’re here for you.

Two daughters standing with their mom, showing what socks they'd buy her for mother's day
Gifts & Holiday · Staff Picks ·
From Our Moms' Feet to Yours: Mother's Day Staff Picks
by Darn Tough Vermont
For this round of Staff Picks, we talked to Darn Tough moms and their children (who also work at Darn Tough). We asked the kids which sock they’d be most likely to give their mom for Mother’s Day...
A runner with arms spread wide, ready to hug a cute sheep
Merino Wool · Sock 101 ·
Nature’s Most Amazing Fiber: Why It’s Only Natural We Love Merino Wool
by Darn Tough Vermont
Merino Wool does a lot of amazing things naturally. I’m one of Darn Tough’s fiber nerds, and today I’m walk you through the top reasons why we love Merino Wool and all that it does to our feet, focusing on what’s behind its amazing natural abilities.
Ultrarunner Kristian Morgan out running at dawn
Hiking ·
Training for the Appalachian Trail FKT: A Week with Kristian Morgan
by Kristian Morgan
Last summer, I became the second fastest person in the world to complete the Appalachian Trail (AT), completing a supported Northbound faster than the famous Scott Jurek. The odyssey isn't over yet. I pursue my dream of setting a new fastest known time (FKT) on the AT.