You don't usually hear too much 'Gear Talk' about socks but this year I found out how valuable a good pair can be. Two weeks ago I returned from completing the JMT: 210 miles of dirt, loose granite, and sand. Like most if us here, I wear mesh trail runners, and my feet were filthy as hell nearly all day long. For two weeks I washed both pair of Darn Tough Micro Crew Ultralight socks several times a day, sometimes more: wringing them as hard as possible for faster drying, knocking them against stone, and some days putting them on wet (stretching them over my feet). In addition to this harsh daily treatment, I took out my insoles, so the socks were rubbing against the plastic foam of the shoe for ten to eleven hours a day. Tremendous friction. And yet! And yet! And yet! despite this strenuous abuse, those socks were F'in Fantabulous! Truly unbelievable. Last season, I used another company's merino socks and they lasted as long as to be expected under such conditions–but Darn Tough socks went far beyond. They showed no signs of stress nearly the entire trip, until the very end. Even then, on one pair, a tiny hole developed in the big toe, (I forgot to clip my toe nails beforehand). Easily mended on the trail. These socks are Darn Tough, indeed, however, I like to think of them as: Tough As Shit socks. Their Micro Crew Ultralight socks are advertised to cyclists and runners, but in my opinion, they are perfect for ul backpacking: the thin merino dried fast, and also kept my feet warm when wet. To top it off, they are made in Vermont. Give em a try.
