
Darn Tough Merino Wool Socks
by Darn Tough
44 endorsements on r/BuyItForLife first recommended in Nov 2023
Merino wool hiking and everyday socks knit in Vermont, USA. Blended with nylon and Lycra for a snug, seamless fit.
$25 · as of Jun 20, 2026
Added Jun 30, 2026, Updated Jul 6, 2026
Why it's buy-it-for-life
Backed by an unconditional lifetime warranty — if they ever wear out, hole or not, the company replaces them free. Redditors routinely report years of heavy hiking and daily wear before any failure, and the no-questions-asked replacement is the most cited reason they're a BIFL staple.
What redditors say
Recommended on reddit as recently as June 2026
Show 61 more mentions
- 51r/BuyItForLife comment
Darn Tough socks – I swear by these, zero holes after years of hiking.
- 20r/BuyItForLife comment
Darn Tough Socks - Self explanatory
- 15r/BuyItForLife comment
wool socks (already darn tough fanboy)
- 10r/BuyItForLife comment
I have had to replace MULTIPLE pairs after just a year or so... They just - get holes… more than cheap socks do. I'm out.
- 9r/BuyItForLife comment
2 pairs of darn tough socks. BEFORE I found this sub. Lol and I'm British! I'm so glad I found them.
- 9r/BuyItForLife comment
I got darn tough socks when I moved to Sweden... I've worn them pretty exclusively... They've covered thousands of km.
- 8r/BuyItForLife comment
Darn tough socks, I am on my feet 16+ hours a day in all kinds of environments and they hold up like crazy
- 8r/BuyItForLife comment
For socks it is Darn Tough for life!! (And that is their guarantee, as well!)
- 7r/BuyItForLife comment
Regret - darn tough socks. I still have them but wool socks aren't for me
- 5r/BuyItForLife comment
Darn tough socks
- 5r/BuyItForLife comment
The DT has a better shape to begin with and have kept their shape, softness, and compression for 400 miles and over 40 washings.
- 3r/BuyItForLife comment
I recently had three pairs of less than a year old Darn Toughs bust at the heel seam. Very disappointing.
- 3r/BuyItForLife comment
threads tend to pull loose inside and catch on my toenail or toe. I don't plan to buy any more of them.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
They last a really long time for me... As others have said, just use the warranty.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
My first pair of Darn Toughs got one small hole in them after 5 years. I sent them in and got replacements.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
my oldest pair is 12 years old ... I have no had a single pair of darn tough develop a hole ... DT is absolutely worth the money.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
Dehen 1920, Weatherwool, Filson, American Giant, Patagonia, Darn Tough, Burton AK line, and those are just a few off the top of my head.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
have only had them 5-6 years but they are still soft and comfortable
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Their nylon blend is super sweaty plus it contributes to microplastics in the water
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I absolutely love darn tough. The first pair was 8 or so years ago for hiking.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
If you want higher content wool, buy the hunting sock versions. They are 75-82% merino, but they do wear out faster.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
They have become enshittified
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Wears the dozen or so pairs exclusively ... They nearly all have holes ... I'm about to try it out and hope it's as great as they say
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
the difference between darn tough and other brands is they have a life time warranty
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
TBH I love darn tough socks
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Its the lifetime no questions warranty that has me sold for life ... now with 8 pair ill never have to buy another pair again
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
DT are good socks, I have a couple of pair.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I'm happy with mine. Comparable to smart wool. Superior to cotton gym socks.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Brill socks, use em for both hiking and work ... One pair is a decade old near enough n still going
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Darn tough socks
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Darn tough socks (shout out to my fellow Vermonters and others who know how great these are!)
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
im most happy about the DT socks. Super comfy even through many kilometers in snow, rain, mud, rocks, river crossings.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
$200 on Darn Tough socks.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I've been through several warranty replacements of Darn tough in the time it's taken to wear through one pair of Farm to Feet.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
My husband has several pairs with the same issues, like others have mentioned they have a lifetime warranty and he got his replacements within a week or 2.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
My Darn rough hiking socks last quite well, but the other types maybe not as well.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I haven't had a single pair last more than about 9 months. ... I would not recommend the thin socks.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I have pairs of darn tough socks that I've been wearing for 10 years as a farmer and landscaper. They are still holding up.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
People don't call them bifl because they're particularly durable, it's because they have a lifetime warranty so you buy once and then have a pair of socks that you can replace at no cost for years to come.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
send them to DT to get new ones for free like you're supposed to, that's why they're bifl
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I found all of them to be thin, smelled worse than other socks after a long day, and had holes quicker than any other socks I've purchased.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
i have had good luck with DTs, surprised by some of these comments! ... i love darn toughs
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I bought DT, Smartwool and Cloudline socks in Merino wool 3 pairs each to see who's lasted longest, and after 7 years I still have 9 pairs of good socks.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
so excited about finally sending in 3 pairs and getting enough credits to buy 4 new pairs
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I've never found a better pair and I've been trying everything ... they are miles better than anything else
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
my single pair of darn tough socks has lasted that whole 6 years and looks brand new ... worth every penny
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I actually use Darn Toughs most expensive socks ... have yet to find any other brand which has such a thick sock using as high content of Merino Wool
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I will pay double for everything on i ever bye if it has a lifetime warranty. Definitely BIFL, probably the best example
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I do not however believe they are the most comfortable or quality socks available
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
10 year old pair ripped at the ankle ... $6 shipping back, credit for new pair. New pair arrived within a week.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Personally I don't like Darn Tough ... every single pair I've tried binds across the top of my ankle ... they do nothing for me
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I honestly think the darn tough socks are super uncomfortable
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I have had 4 pairs of socks last a good solid 5 years plus. No holes in the sock except the ankle. Replaced and I was able to use a deal
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Darn Tough COOLMAX hiking sock is the best. No blisters, no irritation, no bunching, and decent cushion.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I got turned off from darn tough after I got holes in mine and I contacted them for the free exchange and they told me I was responsible for the shipping cost back to them
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Darn tough (not my brand but excellent) will replace socks for life ... Expensive, but lifetime socks.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Darn Tough socks
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
They're so narrow and constrictive! I wish I liked them because I've heard their warranty is fantastic
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Have returned the hunters after 4 years of "wear" and they replaced them! ... I will never go with another sock.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I bought 8 identical pairs of darn tough socks on clearance... There's zero wear, and I throw them in the dryer.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Well these socks are pretty solid, this post is suspicious to me.




Sent in a pair with a hole after 4 years of trail use, had a new pair in the mail two weeks later. No receipt needed.
Only socks I buy now. Expensive up front but I've replaced worn pairs for free twice.
a sock is a sock ... just because DT last for 5 years doesn't mean there doesn't exist other pairs that last as long
after using them for a bit now I can definitely say the socks are absolutely worth it and I will never go back to regular socks!
every sock Ive seen is blended wool and nylon...especually for a bifl item
Half of my darn tough socks have holes in them ... I still like their really thick ones for winter