I was introduced to Darn Tough Socks this year at Interbike. They’re a Vermont company specializing in performance merino wool socks. There is no shortage of wool sock makers these days – everyone knows wool is where it’s at. What sets Darn Tough Socks apart is their “unconditional lifetime guarantee.” I put that in quotes because I took it right off their packaging. They make a big deal about that guarantee so I grilled them about it at Interbike and I am convinced they mean business. They said they’d even replace a sock if it got a hole after five years. For reference, I checked a few other performance sock sites and the standard guarantee is one year and often with a “normal wear and tear not covered,” qualification. So it’s obvious that the Darn Tough Socks guys are pretty darn confident in their product.
I took a few pictures of the socks they had in the Darn Tough Interbike booth and they gave me a pair of low “Run-Bike” socks to try. The socks feel really nice. They’re a little thicker than standard bike socks and padded on the bottom for some shock absorption. The padding on the bottom probably makes a bigger difference for running than riding but overall they feel snug and comfy and I like the extra thickness.
Darn Tough Socks have a nice, earthy look that’s a little different from the standard bright colors of most bike socks. They’re also still made in the good old USA!
