I’ve worn a few pair of Smartwool work socks for several years, very tough. In that time I’ve worn out many pair of Smartwool “fashion” type socks, toes or heels done in just a few wearings, very disappointing.

As a general rule the more nylon content the better they wear. 60/40 wool are about indestructible, worn everyday for work, they just last.

If your a Costco shopper, they are in 4packs right now, as a seasonal item can’t remember the price I buy them without looking. If you get 8pr you’re done with socks this decade probably. Wash mine in woolite on the wool cycle then hang dry. Those I bought 4-5 years ago are different style and finally starting to show age, losing a little elastic tension. They’ll probably get tossed now, the newer fashion looking ones get same treatment with the 3yr old ones indistinguishable from 2yr old set. This years are obviously new, after a few washes they take a set and aren’t baby soft, but very comfortable. I’m at 12 prs now, color be satisfied.

Darn Tough are great, but I find them tight, gave 4pair of them away. I found a DT hunter sock that I do like and use for a taller boot sock. Wife has Farm to Feet like them and Smartwool equally.

Forgot to mention,
not sure if this is just local, but Red Wing has a buy two - get one free sale going on right now.

Smartwool socks are hands down my favorite for backpacking, hunting, hiking and outdoor work. I've found they are the longest lasting and best fitting socks I've owned.

I've been wearing them for backpacking for at least 20 years. They fit true to size. They perform fairly well for me, but I haven't found them to be incredibly durable. It seems like every pair I've had has developed a small hole somewhere, although it doesn't go beyond that and usually it's not bad enough to cause me to stop wearing them. After a few years they seem to lose a little of their stretch and softness, but it doesn't seem to hurt their comfort or performance. Over the years, I would say I've lost more of them than I've had to retire so I think they've served me well.

I saw Darn Tough mentioned as well as their wokeness, so for those that care Smartwool is every bit as woke as Darn Tough.

https://www.smartwool.com/blog...acial-injustice.html

LOL. I guess it's Point6 and Wigwam for everyone then. And don't forget those chunky milsurps! These are/were also military issue...
https://serketusa.com/product-category/socks/
I have multiple pairs of these, and they have held up very well.

I have mixed feelings about Red Wing. I have three pairs of their shoes; two of them are falling apart a lot sooner than I feel they ought to be.

One of our SIGforum members (my memory is not working well today) is a big fan of Thorlo socks.

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
One thing to point out, when washing socks with a high Merino wool content, is when you wash them, 1) turn them inside-out and 2) don't bake them in the drier.

When you turn them inside-out, its easier to washout the sweat & bacteria you generate on the inside, which helps increase longevity. By not leaving them in the drier until full dry, you keep the fibers from drying out which allows the sock to retain their soft, suppleness. Nothing worse than shoving your foot into a sock that feels like sandpaper, then tightening your laces around it.

That's the nice thing about Darn Tough vs Smartwool. I never have to worry about them in my dryer if I forget they were in the pile.

I had been wearing Smartwool for years. Wearing them at work and off and was a fanboy until they sent me some seriously SJW left email. Actually named very left causes that they were donating to with each sock sale. I was not going to have my money go there. Looked around a bit and have been wearing Farm To Feet since. Happy with them.

Thanks for all the replies, gents. Lois like I’ll be trying Point6.

For an update (Red Wing);
Due to the forum, several years ago, I tried the EXPENSIVE merino wool socks. I always wondered why someone would spend $20 on a pair of socks, when you can buy a whole bag of cotton socks cheaper.

So I was in at the time, buying a new pair of Red Wing boots. The kid asked if I had ever tried wool socks. To which I answered, no. Stating I didn't like thick socks and I figured they'd be itchy.
After hearing this, he walked over and grabbed their medium weight socks and asked me to try them on with the boots.

Wholly crap, its like you just added another cushion to the boots.

He said the merino wool isn't itchy, will keep your feet dry, won't be hot in the Summer and will be like a new sock after every wash. Not just for the first few weeks, as with cotton socks. And they come with a lifetime warranty (does NOT include all Red Wing wool socks).

I bought a couple pair. After wearing them, I was sold. Couldn't believe the comfort and ending up with dry feet/socks at the end of the day.

So, for several years now, I've been basically wearing the same 5 pair trying to wear them out.
Later, I did buy more to put away, in case they decided to change them on me. This happens all the time when I find something I like. They either change it or discontinue the item.

Here we are after several years, and half of them (exactly, 5 of the ten socks) have holes in them. Oddly, all on the upper part, not by the toes or the bottom of the heal, but from the upper, back heal and up. I stopped by the store to see what the procedure was to exchange them for new ones. He simply said to bring them into the store.

Stopped in today and exchanged them for the same socks. No hassles, no questions, no problems, simply did some typing on the computer and walked over to the socks and pulled them off the hook and handed them to me.

So, I bought a few more pair to have round for extras. Buy 2 get 1 free.

I know the ones I returned are at least 5+ yrs old.
I can guarantee, I'd have spent more than $80 on cotton socks in the last five yrs.
(The original socks/sole inserts was on a buy 2 get 1 free sale)

What's not to like about quality socks, which come with quality service?

I would find another brand other than darn tough. They are so woke that they apologized for being white and living in a mostly white state.

I love good quality socks and under garments.
Farm to Feet is great but I give a slight edge in quality to Darn Tough. I really like their micro crew size.

I have many pairs of Fox River sox reputedly of military quality. Years of use. Still elastic. Still padded.

Amazon sold them.

I may try the wool sox you all are wondering about next.

The Smartwool medium hikers are the best that I’ve found. They have lots of fufu socks, but those are real.

I wear Darn Tough right now for work. I prefer the Smartwools by FAR, however they don’t make that style in black.

I’m not impressed with the Darn Toughs. I tried 3 versions before settling on the ones I have, and I’ve put holes in at least two pair just pulling them on. And they don’t feel as good.