Darn Tough Vermont
Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks
90S-TIERhigh Confidence
Midweight merino wool hiking socks knit in Vermont at 1,441 stitches per square inch on 168-needle Italian machines. Seamless toe construction eliminates seam ridges. Backed by an unconditional lifetime guarantee — if you wear a hole in them for any reason, Darn Tough replaces them free, no receipt needed.
5,521verified reviews analyzed
94%positive
90
S-TIER/ 100Exceptional
Material & Build22/25
61% merino wool, 36% nylon, 3% Lycra blend knit at 1,441 stitches per square inch on superfine 168-needle Italian machines — best-in-class knitting density. True seamless toe construction eliminates failure-prone seam ridges. High-density knitting produces exceptional abrasion resistance — thru-hikers report 1,000+ trail miles before first hole. Minor deduction for midweight-only limiting warm-weather versatility.
Warranty & Support33/35
Unconditional lifetime guarantee with no receipt requirement — the gold standard in consumer warranties. Any worn sock is replaced free for any reason. Customer pays outbound shipping; processing takes up to 4 weeks. Free replacement for life is functionally superior to repair-based models. Only minor deductions for shipping cost and processing time.
User Trust35/40
REI rating of 4.7/5 across 1,304 reviews. DarnTough.com shows 4,023 reviews at 4.9/5. Among the highest review volumes and ratings in the hiking sock category. Thru-hiker staple on the AT, PCT, and CDT. Frequently cited as the definitive BIFL sock on r/BuyItForLife. Made entirely in Vermont by family-owned Cabot Hosiery Mills.
high ConfidenceUpdated Feb 2026
High
Knit at 1,441 stitches per square inch on modified 168-needle Italian knitting machines — significantly denser than standard commercial socks.
Source: Gear Patrol factory profile of Cabot Hosiery Mills
High
True seamless toe is produced on a single machine in one continuous knitting process, eliminating the seam ridge that causes blisters in conventional socks.
Source: Darn Tough product specifications
Known Concerns3 issues reported
Midweight cushioning runs warm for hot-weather hiking above 75F. Darn Tough offers a Light Hiker variant for summer use, but the Micro Crew Cushion is best suited for spring, fall, and cooler conditions.
Sizing runs tight, particularly in the forefoot. Reviewers with wide feet report a constrictive fit. Size charts vary between Darn Tough models, so a size that fits in one style may not work in another.
At $24-26 per pair, the upfront cost is 3-4x that of standard hiking socks. The lifetime guarantee offsets this long-term but creates a higher barrier to entry.
$25.95
Where to Buy3 retailers
| GoBros.com | Best price | $25.95 | Visit |
| REI | $26.00 | Visit | |
| DarnTough.com | $26.00 | Visit |
Prices updated Feb 2026. Links may earn a commission.
Brand Profile
Darn Tough Vermont
Founded 2004 · Northfield, Vermont, USA
Launched in 2004 by Cabot Hosiery Mills (est. 1978). All socks knit in Vermont on Italian machines at 1,441 stitches per square inch, backed by an unconditional lifetime guarantee.
Warranty
Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee
Brand Score
26/30
Repair Program
No
Parts
low
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