• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Halfway Anywhere

Halfway Anywhere

  • About
  • Blog
  • PCT
  • CDT
  • Hikes
    • Arizona
      • Arizona Trail
      • Buckskin Gulch/Paria Canyon
      • Royal Arch Loop
    • Australia
      • Outback Bicycle Tour
      • New South Wales
        • The Coast Track
      • Tasmania
        • Federation Peak
        • Frenchmans Cap
        • Mount Anne Circuit
        • Overland Track
        • Western Arthurs Traverse
    • California
      • Cactus to Clouds
      • Kings Canyon High Basin Route
      • Southern Sierra High Route
      • Trans-Catalina Trail
    • Brazil
    • Japan
      • Alps Traverse
      • Fuji Area
      • Hokkaido
      • Hokuriku
      • Kansai
      • Kita Alps
      • Kyushu
    • Nepal
      • Everest Base Camp
      • Three Passes Trek
    • New Zealand
      • Ball Pass Route
    • Oregon
      • Timberline Trail
    • Washington
      • Wonderland Trail
  • Gear
    • Current Gear List
    • Gear Reviews
    • Gear Lists
    • PCT Gear
    • Best Backpacking Quilts
    • Best Satellite Messengers
    • Best Sun Hoodies
    • Best Thru-Hiking Shoes
    • Best Thru-Hiking Socks
    • Deals & Discounts
  • Surveys
    • PCT Survey
      • PCT Survey Results
      • PCT Gear Guide
      • PCT Resupply Guide
      • Women’s Gear Guide
      • Couples’ Gear Guide
      • Demographic Breakdown
      • PCT Horror Stories
      • PCT Hiker Advice
      • PCT Social Issues
      • All PCT Survey Articles
      • PCT SURVEY SIGNUP!
    • CDT Survey
      • CDT Survey Results
      • CDT Gear Guide
      • CDT Resupply Guide
      • CDT Horror Stories
      • CDT Hiker Advice
      • All CDT Survey Articles
      • CDT SURVEY SIGNUP!
    • JMT Survey
      • JMT Survey Results
      • All JMT Survey Articles
      • JMT SURVEY SIGNUP!
  • Contact
    • Say Hello!
    • Support

Darn Tough Hiker 1/4 Sock Cushion Review

By Mac 5 Comments

When I began the Pacific Crest Trail I was offered free socks from KEEN, and thought to myself, “great, socks (supposedly) made for thru-hikers, that’s one less thing to think about adding to my gear list.” It turns out that KEEN’s socks are terrible, and after only 180 mi / 290 km I had worn through two pairs. It was time for a change.

The staff of Nomad Ventures in Idyllwild, California understood my plight, and thankfully they knew what they were talking about (at least they were confident enough to convince me of this). I left the shop having purchased my first (two) pair(s) of Darn Toughs.


THE OVERVIEW

Darn Tough Logo

Mr. Salesman told me that this sock, made from Merino wool, would help to heal and protect my failing feet. I was also informed that the sock would be comfortable in any environment, from the desert up through Washington – I was skeptical.

However, I was willing to try anything, and despite my initial dislike of the company name (I have grown to embrace it), I decided to invest in the US manufactured socks of tough darnedness. Darn Tough makes socks for hiking, running, biking, skiing/riding, hunting, and everyday use (in men’s, women’s, and kid’s), but my now area of expertise lies with their Hiker 1/4 Sock Cushion.


The Specs

  • Manufacturer: Cabot Hosiery Mills
  • 65% Merino Wool, 31% Nylon, 4% Lycra Spandex
  • Weight: 2.3 oz (Men’s Large)
  • Sizes: S, M, L, XL (Men’s only)
  • Guaranteed for life
  • Made in the USA
  • MSRP: $17

The above specs reflect the Hiker 1/4 Sock Cushion (Men’s Large).


The Good

THE COMFORT | Imagine the best feeling ever (yes, you can imagine me giving you a back rub if you would like). Got it? Alright, that’s what putting on a fresh pair of Darn Toughs feels like (and you can go ahead and multiply that feeling by ten if you’re on the trail). They are truly comfortable socks and whether you’re hiking in heat or rain, your feet stay happy in their protective sleeves.

THE BLISTER FREE-NESS | I can’t speak for everyone out there (I can only speak for those worth being spoken for), but once I started using Darn Toughs, my blister problems immediately subsided. Post-Darn Tough wearing, whenever I felt a hot spot or blister arising, it usually worked itself out and it rarely inhibited my hiking.

THE GUARANTEE | Having already replaced multiple pairs of Darn Toughs (usually ~700 miles of abuse), I can personally attest to the legitimacy of their “lifetime guarantee” claim. Simply wash (this part is important) and mail in your defeated socks with a warranty form printed from the Darn Tough website and await your fresh new pair of foot accessories. For the truly lazy: Darn Tough Warranty Form.

Darn Tough Socks
The best foot condoms money can buy.

The Okay

THE WEIGHT | At an entire 2.3 oz a pair, Darn Tough’s Hiker 1/4 Socks are not the lightest socks on the market (but seriously, 2.3 oz is practically negligible). Some hardcore ultralighters may be turned off by the idea of lugging around an extra 2.3 oz, except what are those ultralighters doing with an extra pair of socks in the first place? So take that.

THE COLORS | Although I have no gripes with the colors available, it bothers me that they offer different colors for the men’s and women’s varieties of the socks. I am a fan of all the men’s colors, but as with all things in my life, I want what I can’t have and I find myself desiring some pairs in the woman only colors.


Darn Tough Socks
From now on, I only buy things with lifetime guarantees.

The Bad

THE PRICE | “Seventeen dollars for a pair of socks!?” A typical reaction I get when I tell people the price of Darn Toughs. But they are worth it, so stop complaining (perhaps even without the lifetime warranty). The socks are also manufactured domestically in Vermont (USA! USA! USA!).

THE CONFORMITY | Given the excellent socks manufactured by Darn Tough, chances are that sooner or later, everyone will be aware of their majesty. What does this mean? It means that you may need to start mixing colors to stand out amongst the sock-savvy hiker crowd. By the time I hit Snoqualmie Pass on the PCT in Washington, every single hiker I met (at least two dozen) had converted to Darn Toughs. True story.


Darn Tough Socks PCT
Darn Toughs braving Washington’s wet and muddy PCT section.

Conclusion

Darn Tough socks are amazing. Do yourself a favor and get a pair – you won’t regret it (and if you do, then I had nothing to do with your decision to invest).

Ready to change your feet’s lives forever? Check out the entire lineup of Darn Tough socks here.


Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links which means at no additional cost to you, I may receive small commissions for purchases made via these links. This helps keep the site up and running – thank you for your support!

You'll Like These Too:

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on WhatsApp Share on Email

Continental Divide Trail,  Pacific Crest Trail,  Review Clothing,  Darn Tough,  Favorite Gear,  Socks

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
guest
5 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent Posts

  • Continental Divide Trail Hiker Survey (2022)
  • Pacific Crest Trail Resupply Guide (2022 Survey)
  • The Pacific Crest Trail Gear Guide: Class of 2022 Survey
  • Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey (2022)
  • Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag Review
Backpacking Gear Pacific Crest Trail Continental Divide Trail Mac's Backpack

Footer

STAY IN TOUCH

You've made it this far, you're either into this site or you're still looking for something. Either way, best to sign up for my newsletter, yeah?

NAVIGATION

  • Recent Posts
  • Backpacking Gear
  • Continental Divide Trail
  • Pacific Crest Trail
  • Brazil Trekking
  • Japan Trekking
  • Nepal Trekking
  • New Zealand Trekking
  • Tasmania Trekking

LEGALESE

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Copyright © 2023 · Halfway Anywhere