The Alternate Stitch

Illustration of Champ the lake monster swimming on Lake Champlain
Here in VT ·
Meet Champ: Vermont’s Lake Monster
by AJ Ferguson
You can find some fascinating oddities and legends under the green veneer of Vermont, the Green Mountain State. There are cursed statues, mythical pigmen, and a multitude of haunted places. The most famous mystery would have to be Champ or Champy, the Lake Champlain Monster.
Darn Tough employee sitting at desk, an array of socks nearby, all guaranteed for life
Lifetime Guarantee ·
The Story Behind Our Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee
by Darn Tough Vermont
If you’re familiar with Darn Tough, chances are you’ve heard about our Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee. It’s what ensures our socks are the most comfortable, durable, and best-fitting socks on the planet.
Darn Tough Socks looking might fine in a sock drawer
Merino Wool · Sock 101 ·
Merino Wool: A Buyer’s Guide
by Darn Tough Vermont
Still not sure about Merino Wool? Check out our one stop guide about why we use it in our socks, learn about the benefits that come along using with it, and the history of Merino Wool.
Three people in darn tough socks with different heights but the same performance fit
Fit · Lifetime Guarantee ·
Making the Best Fitting Socks
by Darn Tough Vermont

If our socks aren’t the most comfortable, durable, best fitting socks you’ve ever owned, you can return them for another pair. We hear the most questions and feedback from you about the last piece of that promise – fit. Fit is constantly on our minds, and here's what we’ve learned about how socks should fit and why.

Ultrarunner seated pulling on well-worn darn tough socks, the most durable socks
Durability · Lifetime Guarantee ·
Making the Most Durable Socks
by Darn Tough Vermont

At Darn Tough, we back every sock with our Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee: if our socks aren’t the most comfortable, durable, and best fitting socks, you can return them for another pair. Durability sits in the center of that promise. But what makes Darn Tough socks so… tough?

Two people on couch under a blanket with sock-clad feet sticking out wearing the most comfortable socks
Comfort · Lifetime Guarantee ·
Making the Most Comfortable Socks
by Darn Tough Vermont
Why does comfort matter, what is comfort, and lastly, how do we make Darn Tough socks so comfy that we’re confident in our promise that we knit the most comfortable socks and back it with a lifetime guarantee?
Person in combat fatigues pulling on tan darn tough tactical socks
Community · Tactical ·
Arming Our Forces with Merino Wool Socks
by Darn Tough Vermont

Moisture-wicking, durable, breathable, and thermoregulating, Darn Tough Tactical socks are first on foot for a reason and always your first line of defense. They help prevent blisters, thwart hotspots, and are the first – and best – choice for military and government personnel.

Owner Brendan Madigan standing on the floor in Alpenglow Sports Retail shop
Our Partners ·
Community Connections: Alpenglow Sports’ Retail Magic
by Darn Tough Vermont
Years before owning Alpenglow Sports, Brendan Madigan’s experience in retail began like many other folks who’d moved to Lake Tahoe, chasing a powdery dream. What sets Brendan apart is a combination of thoughtful, compassionate focus on the greater good with the sort of drive it takes to skin thousands of feet up a mountain before clocking in to work the floor all day.
Person at trailhead putting on hiking shoes and merino wool socks to prevent blisters
Hiking · How-to ·
How to Prevent Blisters When Hiking
by Darn Tough Vermont
To understand how to prevent blisters while hiking, you first must understand what blisters are and what causes them to form. Blisters can develop almost anywhere, but if you’re hiking, backpacking, or long-distance walking, the most likely (and perhaps most adverse) location is on your feet.
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.

Hiker seated on rock with one boot off, showing his hiking socks
Sock 101 ·
Which Came First, the Boot or the Sock? A History of Socks
by Darn Tough Vermont
We only make one thing — socks. And since ours are designed to last a lifetime, we’re jumping straight into the quirky history of what people have worn between foot and footwear over the last 5,000 years or so.
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.
Booted foot with a Darn Tough lifestyle sock peaking out the top, showing a swan design
Sock 101 ·
A Sock's Purpose: 5 Reasons Why You Should Wear Socks
by Darn Tough Vermont

Why do socks exist? Sounds like a question a fuzzy-eyebrowed professor might scrawl on a blackboard during a college philosophy course. Since we’re talking socks, let’s bring that navel-gazing proposition closer to the ground with the top five reasons why socks matter (We know you saw this spoiler coming: Socks do have a purpose. Multiple actually).

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.