The Alternate Stitch

I am Marcos Biggs, and I have been a passionate snowboarder since 1993. In 2003, I moved to Vermont in search of snowy mountains and a community with a shared passion. For the new Steep Lines ski and snowboard sock, I was lucky enough to serve as both designer and developer.

They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. For me, those journeys typically begin with a month of extreme procrastination, followed by two days of frantic packing. That’s how I found myself, just a few hours before my flight to Nepal, walking the seven minutes from my house to the Darn Tough offices in Waterbury, Vermont.

In a completely unbiased take, we think socks make the perfect holiday gifts. More specifically, we think Darn Tough socks are the perfect gift. Not only are our Merino Wool socks super comfortable and functional for anybody, but they’re also made to last forever.

From Vermont’s tallest peak to the middle of nowhere in Moab, we had so much (too much) fun handing out socks on 1466 Day. Big thanks to everyone who joined us in celebrating our best-selling Hike sock.

We have fantastic, world class sock designers here at Darn Tough. But once a year they open it up to the rest of the Darn Tough team to dream up designs for a limited edition Knit to Give sock. My name is Sarah, and this year, I’m excited to introduce my Grain or Shine sock, and the inspiration behind my design.

What does a lifetime warranty actually cover? At Darn Tough Vermont, every sock we knit is unconditionally guaranteed for life, so we get how “Unconditionally Guaranteed for Life” is a big claim. And what about other warranties — lifetime, limited lifetime, and otherwise — that you see out there in the market place? 

When was time to update our hunting socks line up, we knew we needed to incorporate input from the people who put these socks to the test in the field. We’re thrilled with the improvements in our newest Hunt socks, and even better, so are actual hunters. Here’s what we updated,  the fun we had getting input from Northwoods Whitetails.

The 1466 Hiker Micro Crew sock has racked up more miles than some people put on their cars (probably). It’s summited mountains, forged streams, slogged through knee-deep mud, and still showed up for work on Monday. Those are the kind of qualifications that, in our book, earn this sock a holiday.

We’re big fans of dogs here at Darn Tough, but sometimes dogs can get into mischief, Darn It. From digging holes in the yard and chasing the cat to chewing up your favorite pair of Darn Tough socks, they can be little rascals sometimes. It happens to us and, apparently, it happens to a lot of our customers as well.

Some socks are too short. Some are too tall. But one height landed right in the middle and changed everything. Enter the Micro Crew, a Darn Tough innovation that hits above the ankle (taller than a quarter crew) and below mid-calf (shorter than a crew). 

It's said that dogs resemble their owners. Similarly, the socks we own say a lot about us — from bold patterns to cozy cushioned comfort to high-performing athletic styles. Your sock drawer probably reflects a bit of your personality. But have you ever gone as far to wonder: if your dog could choose, what would their favorite socks be? Well, we did.

It’s a sunny day here on the Waterbury Reservoir. The lush green leaves contrast the blue waters and the rolling clouds in the sky in “The Green Mountain State.” Today, I am going to guide you through the important role Merino Wool plays in canoe tripping, eddy out to some pro tips, and share some personal experiences on the water.

Even if you only wear monochrome suits or neutral outfits, pairing them with our socks can add a touch of personality with a flash of wilderness, critters, and creatures. So, whether you’re a party animal or merely want to add a little flair, we hope you enjoy meeting six of our dedicated staff and their favorite animal socks. 

This might be a controversial take, but socks and sandals are awesome and belong together. Socks and Crocs are awesome. Socks and Birkenstocks, also awesome.

Wow, that felt good to say.

I grew up in a tiny town in Indiana with big dreams: I wanted to be a high-end fashion designer, to live in New York City. Coming from a place where such dreams seemed impossible, I could have easily given up. But I didn’t. I was determined to make it happen. But designing socks? That wasn’t even on my radar.

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. 

During the summer of 2023, VanGrizzle and I thru-hiked the Continental Divide Trail. We started in Glacier National Park. On day two, we almost had a trip-ending experience. The new goat version of the Vanna Grizzle sock honors a goat that showed up several times in our life on trail, including this moment. 

When we say our socks are still made in Vermont, USA, we mean we own the entire process. Our team in Vermont designs the socks, from the research and development to knit-downs and fit testing, knits them, and finishes them (wash, dry, and packaging) so they're ready for you to wear. 

When our customers visiting Vermont asked us for recommendations, we had the thought… who better to provide authentic Vermont experiences than the people who live here? So, we surveyed our employees to discover their favorite spots across the state to help you create the quintessential Vermont experiences.

Located in the same factory for 100 years and counting, Vermont Glove remains true to their craft — hand making industrial-quality gloves right in Randolph, and creating skilled jobs along the way.