I’ve got a couple of pairs or smart wool and darn tough wool socks. I like them but they are expensive and I need enough to wear them daily in a casual setting. I won’t buy darn stupid(tough) socks any longer. Curious if there are some brands that are actual wool thin enough for daily wear and affordable. Whatcha got?

I, too, decided to find an alternative to Darn Tough socks and have been happy with Point 6. I've only had them for a couple of months so I can't speak to their longevity but they are made with 70% wool, which I think is about as high as it gets.

https://point6.com/

I wear SmartWool medium cushion socks all year. Even in very hot and humid areas.

I’m looking at some Serket socks. https://serketusa.com/product-category/socks/

Tips for wool sock, turn them inside out to wash, dry as low as you can, use WoolWash from Nikwax or similar once or twice a year. Also, sand and smooth the feet and keep the nails trimmed. My socks started lasting longer, I have pretty rough feet.

LL Bean has 3 weights of daily wear. They have held up well for me. The "hiking socks" are USA made.

I wear Cablea’s mid weight wool socks all year. In temps from below freezing to 100* and my feet stay comfy in my duty boots for 10+ hour shifts.
Though they are not 100% wool they do a great job as a daily sock that can see any weather.
They are Made in the USA and currently $14.99 a 4 pack. I probably have 20 pair in rotation with the oldest being 5 years old not had to throw a pair out.
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/e...-for-men-4-pair-pack

People Socks have been durable for me for fall to spring daily wear. They have 71% Merino wool, are made in the USA, and are available on Amazon or from peoplesocks.com peoplesocks.com

Darn Tough for me, weight depends on the weather. Right now I've got medium weight with a foot bed, Merino wool on and wear wool socks only throughout the year. Gave up cotten entirely, wear out way too fast! My feet NEVER stink and are always comfortable and I have worn a pair of these for a week straight before just to see what would happen. Absolutely nothing...they didn't stink and it was like putting on a new pair every morning.

^^^Perhaps you neglected to read the OP...

You can search my post for a link to the exact socks, but I like the medium weight by Red Wing.
Two colors and come with a simple lifetime warranty.

Not all of their socks have a lifetime warranty.

I don't wear then with my Van's or Chuck's, but my hiking shoes, boots and what-not, I have dumped wool, and gone mostly with alpaca. Same performance in summer and much warmer in winter.

I have Warrior and Norlander, maybe a few other miscellaneous brands.

ARman

While I had switched to wool, years ago, cotton work OK now, that I put some bleach in with them when they’re washed.

Following as well.

From my searches it seems any socks with more than 20% wool are automatically over $20 a pair.

I have a whole drawer full of Darn Tough. Micro crew mid-weight for daily wear, 1/4 crew light weight for summer, and I also have some heavy weight full cushion boot socks for hunting and cold weather. They last forever and I actually will save money in the long run by not having to replace socks so often. That and my feet feel fantastic all day.
If I had to switch brands I also like Farm to Feet. Not quite as good as DT but a close second.

Point6
Farm-to-Feet
Smartwool
Wigwam
ThorLo

all of the above (and many others) have 'daily-socks' which are not has spendy as a light-hiker or, hiker models.

I buy Costco wool blend crew socks. Medium weight socks that I wear year round. Cheap and they wear well.

Well, you specifically said Smartwool Socks are too expensive, but I continue to buy them because I think I get value for the money. I don’t have an alternative, but I’ll be interested to find one—-providing the cost savings is sufficient to leave a trusted brand.

quote:

Originally posted by doublesharp:
I buy Costco wool blend crew socks. Medium weight socks that I wear year round. Cheap and they wear well.

^^^^^
This was going to be my suggestion too.

quote:

Originally posted by doublesharp:
I buy Costco wool blend crew socks. Medium weight socks that I wear year round. Cheap and they wear well.

came here to mention these. I wear these daily year round, have given them to my son in law no complaints at all. I bought a 3rd package this fall knowing anything worth a shit is soon to be discontinued.

I’ve not found anything better than the Smartwool medium hiking socks, and I’ve tried.

I wear Darn Tough at work because they are black but they aren’t near as tough as my smartwools. Don’t blame you there.

I’d say buy a pair of the medium hikers every couple of weeks until you’ve got a stash. I’ve accumulated probably 20 pair like that, and even my oldest ones are still wearable.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I’m going to try a few out.