Looking for new hiking socks and want to compare Darn Tough vs Smartwool? You’re in the right place!
I’ve tried a lot of different brands of hiking socks over the years, and Darn Tough and Smartwool are consistently at the top of my list of the best brands. I’ve owned multiple pairs of hiking socks from both brands and honestly wouldn’t consider buying from anyone else.
With that said, while I think both brands are great options, each has their pros and cons. This article shares my honest review of Darn Tough vs Smartwool hiking socks to help you determine which brand you should buy.
*This article contains affiliate links, which means if you click a link & make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.*
Why You Should Wear Hiking Socks
If you’re new to hiking, you might be wondering why you should wear hiking socks. While you don’t absolutely need them, wearing hiking socks can help prevent injuries to your feet and make your hiking experience more enjoyable.
Regular cotton socks absorb moisture, so if they get wet during your hike, they’re going to stay wet. This can lead to issues like blisters, chafing, and potentially even frostbite if it’s cold out. Wearing socks that are made from moisture-wicking fabrics, like wool, help keep your feet dry while hiking, which in turn minimizes the risk of blisters are other injuries.
While hiking socks are going to be more expensive than regular socks, I think they’re worth the investment. I was actually very resistant to buying hiking socks for a long time, and I regret not buying a pair sooner. Good hiking socks really make a difference when it comes to keeping your feet feeling fresh and healthy on the trail!
Darn Tough vs Smartwool Hiking Socks: Similarities
Cut & Style:
Smartwool and Darn Tough both offer a variety of types of hiking socks that you can choose from based on your personal preferences. They have similar cuts, including no show, ankle/quarter length, and crew length socks. Smartwool offers zero cushion, light cushion, and full cushion socks. Darn Tough offers ultralightweight, lightweight, and cushion socks.
Fabric:
Smartwool and Darn Tough socks are both made from a blend of merino wool, nylon, and a little bit of spandex/elastane. Smartwool’s fabric blend is 56% merino wool, 41% nylon, and 3% elastane. Darn Tough’s fabric blend is 43% merino wool, 54% nylon, and 3% spandex. A portion of the nylon used in Smartwool’s fabric is recycled material.
Fit:
Both brands fit true to size depending on the size of your foot. I’ve found that other hiking sock brands can run either too big or too small, so I like that Darn Tough and Smartwool have reliable and consistent sizing.
Price:
In general you can expect to pay between $20-25 for a single pair of hiking socks. If you shop at REI, Darn Tough socks range from $18-25 depending on the cut and style that you get. Smartwool socks range from $18-27.
Darn Tough vs Smartwool Hiking Socks: Which is Better?
Darn Tough and Smartwool both make high-quality hiking socks and you really can’t go wrong with shopping from either brand. I recommend figuring out the type of socks you prefer (high or low cut? light cushion or lots of cushion?) and then trying options from both brands.
As I’ve mentioned, I wear both Darn Tough and Smartwool socks when hiking. I typically wear Smartwool performance run socks, which are low cut and have zero cushion, on hikes during the spring, summer, and early fall. Once the temperature starts dropping I switch to Darn Tough crew socks throughout the late fall and winter.
It’s difficult to say which brand is “better” because they’re both great, but here are some pros and cons of Darn Tough vs Smartwool hiking socks:
Darn Tough Pros:
- Lifetime Warranty: The biggest thing that sets Darn Tough apart from Smartwool is the lifetime warranty on its socks. All you have to do is fill out a form online, ship your damaged socks back, and they will send you a new pair. Be aware, the warranty is with Darn Tough, not third-party retailers who sell their socks.
- Fun Prints: Both brands sell socks in a variety of colors, but I think Darn Tough has a much better variety of prints. I’m personally a big fan of the Darn Tough Beartown socks, which as the name suggests, have a cute little bear on them.
Darn Tough Cons:
- Hot & Heavy: The biggest issue that I personally have with Darn Tough socks is that they fee; much heavier and warmer than Smartwool socks. This is great when hiking in the winter, but I find myself reaching for Smartwool socks throughout the summer. Darn Tough does make COOLMAX socks that are designed to keep your feet cool, which may alleviate this issue, but I haven’t tried them.
Smartwool Pros:
- Lightweight & Breathable: The top thing that Smartwool hiking socks have over Darn Tough socks is that they’re more breathable. Overall the socks just aren’t as thick compared to their Darn Tough counterparts, which makes them more comfortable (at least for me!). Smartwool’s fabric is also very soft and I typically can’t even feel my socks when hiking.
Smartwool Cons:
- Cushion Pattern: While I find Smartwool socks to be extremely comfortable, I find the cushion pattern on their full cushion socks to be a bit awkward on my feet. Basically, there’s extra padding in places I don’t want extra padding. This is definitely a personal problem that you may not have, but if you’re sensitive to how socks feel on your feet it’s something to consider.
- Durability: The biggest drawback to Smartwool hiking socks is that I find that they develop holes over time. I’ve yet to develop any holes in my Darn Tough socks, but have had to retire a few pairs of Smartwool socks.
Where to Buy Darn Tough & Smartwool Socks
Darn Tough and Smartwool are two of the most popular brands of hiking socks, so you can typically find at least one (if not both) at most outdoor gear shops. REI regularly has sales on Darn Tough and Smartwool products throughout the year, and you can get 10% back in rewards on full price purchases if you’re an REI member. You can also shop directly from Darn Tough and Smartwool.
Shop Darn Tough Hiking Socks | Shop Smartwool Hiking Socks
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