Darn Tough Vermont Socks

Darn Tough makes merino wool socks at a mill in Northfield, Vermont, and the lifetime guarantee. Sending back any pair with holes for a free replacement regardless of how long you have owned them is the most aggressive warranty in apparel and the reason people become converts after buying 1 pair. Wool is fine gauge merino that feels soft against the skin rather than itchy. Construction uses reinforced heels and toes with a cushioned sole that absorbs impact without adding bulk inside a boot. I want more because the socks regulate temperature better than any cotton or synthetic pair I own, staying warm in winter and cool enough in mild weather that I don't overheat. Antimicrobial properties of merino mean I can wear them 2 days in a row without odor. Fit is snug with graduated compression from the arch to the ankle, and the sizing is precise enough that the correct size never slips down inside a shoe. At $20 to $30 per pair, the price is steep for socks, but the guarantee means the cost is a 1-time investment. I know people who have been wearing the same Darn Tough socks for 5 years with replacements.