Are They Worth It? - Ultimate Boots Socks

[@ianccornejo]

I think an important thing to consider is longevity. I've had both cheap and expensive socks that can't make it past a winter season

[@CarlMurawski]

Thats a good point. I have a pair of Smartwool socks that must be 10 years old and going threadbare on the sole, but I blew through a pair from American Trench in six months.

[@EastofVictoriaPark]

This sounds like you're describing my experience with the Kirkland socks.

[@RobertLinthicum]

@@CarlMurawski I can destroy Smartwools in a week. Not a good value.

[@cobbler88]

I tried the REI Merino wool socks a few years ago. Maybe they last a long time, but they looked beat to sh!t after only a few wearings and I unloaded them.

[@cobbler88]

@@RobertLinthicum My experience has been that each brand kind of specializes (To ME, that is. I'm sure they think they do a fine job across the board). For regular and cold-weather hiking, Darn Tough all the way. But for warm weather hiking where you just don't want the weight typical of a basic DT hiker, Smartwool BICYCLING socks made from Merino wool really do the trick! Otherwise, my only use for Smartwool products is their PhD running socks. DT doesn't make a running sock quite thin enough for my taste.

[@KeystoneOutdoorsman]

Darn Toughs. Extremely comfortable & durable with an unmatched warranty. Being a Commercial and Industrial Electrician as well as an outdoorsman, i eat through socks until I found Darn Tough.

[@CarlMurawski]

Same! They’re fantastic

[@pillmill8987]

I've got a pair that I've had for 5+ years 150+ miles in them. Still easily my best sock and its not close. Im serious they are 100% worth it.

[@almog3875]

@Pill Mill Which ones? I'm leaning towards their "boot full cushion" ones.

[@pillmill8987]

@@almog3875 If your not marching a hurried pace those will be perfect for hunting/cold weather. Might get toasty in summer.

[@almog3875]

@Pill Mill Gotcha, thanks. May I ask what socks you wear for summer?

[@krazmokramer]

I've been wearing THE SAME 14 pairs of Darn Tough Vermont Cool Max ankle high socks for 15 years! They still look new. Zero elastic fails. Zero wear spots. If these wear out before I die, DTV will replace them free of charge. For that reason, I recently purchased 4 pairs of DTV Merino wool mid calf hiker socks for my 1st lace-up boots (White's Perry in Red Dog) since I was a Boy Scout over 50 years ago. The wool is very comfortable and the skin on my feet is softer than with the cool max. Possibly due to the lanolin in the wool. If these wear like my other DTV socks, I will have no reason to change brands other than to blow a boatload of cash. Thanks for the review Carl!

[@dominicbrooks93]

I saw the Kirkland and immediately knew. I've been wearing them for the past two years. They're great.

[@A_Man_Of_Culture_]

Darn tough are the only socks I will ever wear, on my first deployment I went through about a dozen pairs of fox rivers because they just wore through so easily but on this last deployment I didn't wear through a single pair of the darn toughs

[@TehDFC]

I wish I would have had them back in the day-although socks were the least of my worries lol.

[@Vdubin64bug]

I just ordered my first pair of darn tough.. Paid $60 for 2 pair.. I appreciate the insight.. I may be like you after experiencing my first pair..

[@lucaswhite3850]

100% darn tough here! Also if for some reason you do wear that hole in the toe that you spoke of they replace free every time

[@rubenleyva8635]

Bought a pair Nick's Handmade boots and made sure to have a pair of Darn tough socks for the boot fitting. Ever since then that is all I wear. Cotton socks are for people who have trouble keeping pairs together.

[@yeenosaur2620]

I ordered my Nicks and got my fit kit email, I realized I should've bought these socks weeks ago to fit my boots.

[@martintanz9098]

Thanks for the review. Your experience has been mine. Switching over from cotton to wool for winter socks has been eye opening, but beyond that, I have $25 socks and the $3 or $4 Kirkland socks, and honestly, there isn't much difference. The more expensive socks might look a tiny little better, which might tip the balance if you were comparing dress socks, less so with winter weight socks to wear with boots, since you can't see much sock anyway. Besides appearance, warmth, comfort and longevity, the other factor to socks is, inevitably, you will lose one, leaving the other orphaned. Not a big deal if you are buying a pack or 4 or 6 Kirkland socks, as you put the other one in your drawer until you lose another sock, then match up two orphaned socks together.

[@Jumalten001]

Darn Tough socks are the only socks going on my Feet.

[@joeybaldarelli6620]

Agreed!

[@TehDFC]

You're either on something or on to something.

[@jiafei6833122]

i was skeptical about them. Picked 2 pairs up during a sale. In love with the full cushion boot sock. Noticeble difference between darn tough socks and the socks i bought from costco.

[@HFRajuncajun]

Have to agree. I started with one pair just to test out the hype. I now have over 10 pairs. Have yet to blow through a pair. One of the carpenters I work with has had a pair for almost 20 years.

[@Geerice]

I've replaced all of my socks except for my dress socks with darn tough

[@mherke]

For every day work wear, I use the darn tough socks. I found the smart wools don't hold up nearly as well as the darn tough. When relaxing at home in the evenings, especially winter, I'd be interested in trying one of the artisanal brands you discussed.

[@CarlMurawski]

Darn Tough is incredible. I just wish my wife would stop stealing mine!!

[@trevorallen5988]

@@CarlMurawski I told my wife that was the one thing I WILL NOT share with her 😂

[@rrr2cats]

My go-to is Balliston medium weight, heavy weight for LaCrosse Burlys, or Dryshod Arctic, and I agree with you about price, and function over fashion.

[@fmarenello]

Check out Point6 socks. I’ve been buying them for around 5 years and still have the original pair I purchased. That original pair I purchased 5 years ago honestly almost looks like new, so no telling how long these dang socks will last. If you ever get a chance check them out.

[@MichaelPrinzo]

Great info.Great conclusion.

[@DrRolexPhD]

GODDAMN IT CARL!! I just spent 90 bucks on socks i didn't know i needed 20 minutes ago!!!

[@CarlMurawski]

Hahahaha you can thank me later!

[@mrjones4249]

I wear the Kirkland sox and they were a definite upgrade from Fruit of the Loom cotton. I purchased some ugly colored Point 6 Heavyweight Hiking Tech sox on clearance and was impressed by how comfortable they were. I had never worn such comfortable sox in my life. I can wear them comfortablely all year long, but I save them for the colder months and use the Kirklands in the warmer months. I have never worn the Darntough sox, but placed them on my family holiday wishlist.

[@georgecarlin2879]

One super effective type of socks that make a night and day difference (my 2nd day using them ever) are Buffalo Wool socks from Buffalo Wool Company in Texas. Talk about dry comfy feet all day! OMG! I'm from Alaska, nothing else compares. Machine washable too!

[@CarlMurawski]

Thank you for the recommendation! I’m checking them out now.

[@georgecarlin2879]

@@CarlMurawski U're welcome! :)

[@johndavis1217]

Smartwool works for me. Of course if you're wearing traditional business attire, socks can be an area where you can show some flash.

[@CarlMurawski]

That’s absolutely true!

[@frankfattore989]

Yep. I’m with you on the Darn Tough socks. They are without equal, IMO.

[@bigdizzy5954]

Awesome content. I absolutely agree with the conclusion. Those Kirkland socks are great.

[@loupblanc007]

Been buying the Costco socks. Great value.

[@gsdlvr123]

My son has worn Darn Tough Socks since he was 12 (he is 19 now) - he is a serious hiker/camper - he LOVES them and the warranty is terrific for him as he is indeed tough on socks. We have a horse farm and most of my camping is around our property where I can drive the mule (Kawasaki - not animal) back to the house for the night. I usually wear Cowboy boots - and I like OTC socks. I recently found a brand that is very comfortable...World's Softest Sock Brand...not exotic but they stay up over my calf and are indeed very soft and comfortable.

[@bootsandblocks]

I've been spreading the Kirkland Trail Sock Gospel for years. Cheap, comfortable, and durable.

[@psykon99]

How do you keep them from falling down and slowly bunching under your foot? I’ve tried Mediums and Larges, and it’s the same experience. Within minutes, the Kirkland trail socks are starting to gather under my feet.

[@TheShannonagains]

Really appreciate the video Carl, when I bought my first decent pair of boots, I was confused on what socks to get other then some Hanes from Walmart, glad to have a decent comparison of different brands and breakdowns.

[@CarlMurawski]

Yeah, and its surprising how good they can be at a lower price. The expensive ones are "better" but if you just need a good working sock, the mid-tier brands are more than good enough.

[@andrewbottrell1048]

I was never completely satisfied with any socks until I bought a pair of Darn Tough. They feel amazing and my boots don’t stink anymore. I went from 20 pairs of socks in my drawer to 6. Love Darn Tough.

[@RevLev06]

Thank you for your review of socks. My favorites: Farm to Feet, Smart Wool, Duluth Trading Co., and some no name snowboard socks. I have had these socks for years.

[@matthewgreen4564]

I’m on the west coast so it never gets cold enough. The scheels boot socks are so comfortable. Ironically they’re only store on the west coast is in Reno Nv

[@battosihimorah2512]

I like the carharrt wool winter socks.

[@tomcripps7229]

I bought one pair of smartwool and one ripped as I put it on. I wear iron rangers and thorogood pull on boots for work and wear the Red Wing wool socks year round and like them, although I wish they lasted longer. I will try Darn Tough and have been looking forward to your opinion on socks. Thanks.

[@Digger927]

I've been wearing Darn Toughs for four plus years and they're the best socks I've ever had. The only one that I've ever seen ruined was one my Weimaraner puppy chewed a hole in a couple years ago. I could have sent it in and got it replaced probably but I couldn't bear to do it and threw it away instead. I'm a farmer/rancher, I have livestock and I rotational graze with temporary electric fencing so I walk quite a bit every day, also I'm in and out of tractors a lot most of the year. I've worn holes in new cotton socks in one day of use. The only thing I've found about my socks, especially darn toughs is that I cannot use fabric softener on my socks...every time I put fabric softener on them in the wash, my feet wear sores on the bottoms right behind my toes. It took me quite a while to figure out what was causing the issue. Stopped using softener and it went away...used it again and the first day I had blisters again. Even tried different softeners but it didn't matter. Weird....

[@hustlehumbly6169]

Lorpen t2 hiker are just as good if not better than darn tough in my opinion, and cheaper

[@ccfmfg]

Have You covered Carhartt's Artic Socks? They have a very High Percentage of Merino Wool.

[@henryho2293]

The way that you say "Alpaca", just somehow reminds me of the scene in the American Gangster w/ Denzel.

[@CarlMurawski]

Hahahaha I’ll take it!

[@todtalk3912]

I have found recently, buffalo wool company socks and they are absolutely better than any sock I've ever tried. My journey began solely in an effort to find a thicker sock, but one that wicks well and doesn't log your foot in sweat. I purchased a pair of JK boots. They fit great, minus the uppers were a tad too big. There isn't many options as I already had a thick false tongue (that is option 1) and thicker socks (option 2). Thicker socks were the tick combined with the false tongue. Option three would be having the boots completely rebuilt and making the upper slightly smaller ( I've waited long enough for these babies and didn't want to wait any longer, nor soend another 200 bucks, because they would literally have to tear apart a brand new pair of boots, replacing everything from the upper down). I had less than a fingers with better the laces, which is not optimal for properly made boots (my fault though, I chose not to get completely custom boots, although mine are hand made and lasted and everything in between, I chose an off the shelf sizing instead of opting for a custom boot). Anyway, these Bison socks are warm in the winter, filled out my boot very well. And allowed me to comfortably break in, and wear these boots which is all I wanted. Initially had gone to a local boot place and found wilman socks that are these super thick heavy, kinda clumsy, your foot moves around in them, nit super comfortable sock that worked, this brand just works much better.

[@mrjones4249]

I've never heard of this, thanks

[@bradgross7570]

I recommended this topic a few months ago thanks for doing it

[@CarlMurawski]

You are welcome sir!

[@adrianfigueroa8823]

"Standing on a window screen" I felt that!

[@JokersAce0]

Smartwool and Darn Tough are often in the same price range as all the other ones though.

[@DarkFire515]

Best socks I've ever used are Bridgedale. Not sure if they're available in the US though. Have to agree that socks are boring but for anyone who's a blue collar worker, military, emergency services or just on their feet all day, good quality socks are the next most important thing to have after good quality boots.

[@circa54]

If ya do another one maybe include Dehen1920 and Stance.

[@johnmilkent9488]

Hey Carl great review, I hope you are well. I wanted to see if you have had any experience with any of the Bison wool socks or products? I'm looking more for hunting than a workwear product but I really try to buy things that crossover and allow me to use them in everyday life. Thanks again,

[@Daniel-Ray]

Great video and probably the last video on socks I ever watch too so no need to make another. Thanks for making this boring subject pretty interesting!

[@charlesbronson240]

Carhartt sells a 3 pack of American made socks for 11 bucks. Got myself 6 packs, they’re awesome!

[@Vdubin64bug]

Just ordered my first pair of darn tough socks.. Thanks for the review.. This video was helpful!

[@larryzhao7514]

I love how there are no ads !!!!!

[@alleycat1084]

For all day cold weather your favorite pair of wool socks AND a sock liner keeps my feet comfortable till I get home. (With good choice of boots). Thanks for your videos.

[@edersonbarros]

My last pack of Kirkland socks definitely don't feel the same as the pack I bought 2-3 years ago. The weave seems to be a lot looser, the material feels more synthetic and my feet get really cold half way through the day (and I live in TX, it's not that cold here!) I bought a new pack because my old one wore real thin around my heels. $20/year for a season is not bad but I really wish they lasted me longer, and I'm not even doing any kind of hard work on them since I work in an office environment with carpet everywhere...

[@CarlMurawski]

Interesting, it will be fun to see how these work after a few years or months.

[@iliketoflips]

@@CarlMurawski I went to go buy a pack, and there are tons of reviews agreeing that this season's Kirkland wool socks are substantially lower quality than they've been in the past. Did you get yours recently? Thanks for the videos. You do a wonderful job weaving your values into your style and presentation. Keep it up, brother.

[@ScoutersGames]

I like to go with and I want to try smart wool or camel city as they say they are more durable. This is not the biggest selling point of going with them, they are more for warmth and staying dry in any conditions they are alpaca wool. The go with feel great on my feet they seem durable and have some cushion but they keep my feet from sweating and my feet are dry after working in my boots for 10 to 13 hours a day. For winter I like Mirewool mid-weight wool hiking socks. they keep my feet warm for about 6 hours which is good in my book as I have poor circulation in my feet. Another pair that is very comfy but not as durable but Wick Sweat is the Redback bamboo socks

[@kevingipe8242]

Wooly brand merino wool socks are pretty great imho

[@BillyJeans653]

Icebreaker Merino Wool, and some of the REI Labeled socks great deals and work great with most boots

[@CarlMurawski]

Great recommendation! Thank you!

[@TylerSnyder305]

I've been very happy with the US made Merino wool socks from Sportsmans guide, I think I have about 6 pairs now.

[@adamv.2760]

Never cared about socks till I broke down and bought some snap-on socks and I love them! Made from ring spun cotton, sturdy and great at keeping my feet dry year around. $7 a pair. I think they're Coastal Boot company makes them 🤔

[@vaughnwesterby5162]

I always opt for USA made products when I have the choice even if I have to pay a little more! 🇺🇸

[@CH-bp3bj]

Darn Tough with there different weights and thickness, all day, all seasons!

[@johngrossbohlin7582]

I've worn Smart Wool for probably 10 years. A few months ago I bought some Farm to Feet Ely midweight mid-calf socks to wear with my 10" Nick's Builder Pros. This as I found my Smart Wool crew hiking socks were not quite tall enough with my 10" White's boots... I figured the mid-calf was worth trying. I always liked the Smart Wool but after wearing the Farm to Feet socks regularly in the Nick's, White's and Kenetrek pac boots I'm going to buy more of them. At $25/pair they are 100% U.S. made for those who value such things: Materials are 68% U.S. Merino Wool, 7% U.S. CUTEC Copper, 22% U.S. Nylon, 3% U.S. Spandex and U.S. labor.

[@CarlMurawski]

Thank you for this!!! They sound great!

[@MordecaiAliVanAllenOShea]

Carhartt makes a great boot sock also Gold Toe makes decent pairs.

[@corensam]

You just can't beat those Costco socks baby

[@CarlMurawski]

I mean three dollars??? They’re worth having just as backups if nothing else

[@basicdose.9872]

Good boots deserve good socks .

[@bioblitz6897]

Darn Tough rock , Warm, life time guarantee, and cool styles . I went to buy some a few weeks back and they were sold out of my size . I hike wearing Asolo Fugitive GTX hiking boots , paired with the Darn Tough Full Cushion socks I am set for the day.... Rock on and Happy Holidays to all .

[@troyseth8527]

Love Kirklands. Icebreakers are lifetime full satisfaction warranty as well.

[@davidlandrum]

*THUNDERS LOVE* The name of my rock band. Seriously tho, I love my Darn Tough tactical extra cushion socks.

[@ToryScherer]

I love socks ❤️🧦 ❤️ Wouldn’t spend the money on myself, but a great gift for my family!!

[@joeybaldarelli6620]

Treat yourself! When your feet are happy... your happy.

[@davidnorth9390]

Socks: A great stocking stuffer ;-)

[@katsaras1]

Hey big man Carl! Question: What are some good winter work glove for very cold weather? Thanks

[@mrgt3201]

I have a pair of Chup and they look and feel great. However I don't wear them that much and they're threadbare at the heels. At £25 a pair i won't be getting any more. I've also got a pair of Darn Tough. Although they don't look as good as the Chups, they're as comfortable and there's hardly any wear on them. My next boot socks will be Hebtroco. I have a pair of their jeans and I'm impressed with them. The socks are made fairly locally to me in Yorkshire so they've got to be worth a try.

[@markalexander774]

At work I just wear cheap socks that I buy from multi-packs on Amazon for not a lot of money. When hiking or doing something outdoorsy, or even just wearing any of my nice boots out, I will wear Darn Tough socks.

[@1eparry]

The wife sent me to Costco this morning so obviously I bought some socks. $14 for a pack of 6!

[@holdthatblaow]

I love Darn Tough Micro Crew Hiker.

[@dmeador11111]

What would be a good work coat for a 6ft2 skinny electrians apprentice. I just bought a carhartt quick duck traditional coat in med and it's huge and don't care for the fit. Any ideas would be very helpful. And great videos very informative and exactly all the stuff I'm looking to buy .

[@CarlMurawski]

This is going to sound weird but hear me out! Bring it to a tailor. Seriously. They can probably take in the sides for very little money. Then you’ll have a badass custom jacket. Alternatively you could try a brand like Patagonia Workwear and size down. They run big, but their cuts are trimmer than Carhartt, Duluth, and Dickies.

[@dmeador11111]

@@CarlMurawski ok thanks

[@stevenr5534]

Carl, I agree with your opinion about the premium price socks. For everyday wear, work, or hiking I can't see spending so much more for the premium brands when Darn Tough Vermont, and Kirkland both give great wear, and comfort for far less price. Another brand I would highly recommend are the Carhartt Force socks, these provide very good wear, and comfort in the everyday day wear, hiking wear, and workwear. (Yes, I have worn socks from all three brands, Darn Tough Vermont, Carhartt, and Kirkland. Plus, these are my own opinions, and I'm not receiving, and have not received any reimbursement for them) The parenthetical part is just for honest disclosure. 😆

[@bigchungus920]

I got a cheap packet of socks at tractor supply and they've been great. However, it doesn't snow where I live.

[@TunaStrata]

Im from tropical and humid country. Does wool too hot for here?

[@omercarrothers7537]

I recently got a pair of Thorogood moc-toe boots, I've worn regular athletic socks with some Danner Bull Runs with no problem. The Thorogoods are making my feet kinda sore when I wear the cotton-blend socks. I've gone out and bought "wool-blend-boot -socks", but I hate them, because my feet feel sweaty when I wear them. I love the Thorogoods, but it's kinda uncomfortable wearing them. Any suggestions to what I should do?

[@roberto-vg9qg]

All four soks looking Good😉 Maybe my Preferences for Tender , looking really good

[@joeybaldarelli6620]

Thermals next! Merino vs under armor/ synthetic... thanks!

[@brandonbandstra226]

Best review everrrrr

[@HeritageCast]

Drop some links of 100% wool socks that are affordable. Oddly enough its really hard to find.

[@CarlosChavez-yb5dg]

I totally recognized my Kirkland socks

[@eleven.eastgate.twelve967]

NICE... I'm in the market for some... this vid was right on time! Thank you Sir! 💚💛❤🤙

[@CarlMurawski]

Perfect!!!

[@Haph3us]

And here I thought the merino wool bombas I got last year were expensive at $18 a pair!

[@CarlMurawski]

You can spend crazy money when you begin looking at silk socks too!

[@Ti-DAWGS]

I think socks are important. They are NOT boring! I made a video about it! That "mystery sock" looks good also. Don't forget that many socks offer a guarantee, so you can get a new pair!

[@F0X_1N_S0X]

to many darn tough socks to choose lol..so far every pair I've tried are to heavy or hot.. what style darn tough do you recommend for wearing 8 inch steel toe work boots? everyone says they're great but i must not have found the right style yet.. funny thing for me is believe it or not i was rocking the realtree high performance hiking sock with my boots and they felt absolutely perfect for my feet..problem is they're discontinued and wear our fast but man they were comfortable.

[@markilleen4027]

I got a per of nicks builder pro, and my feet have bin freezing since there very cold

[@bradbuchanan9326]

Where did you get your coffee mug? I really like it!

[@Gryndleby]

He's got a link to the mug in the description box for the video.

[@bsecraw]

Rather late to the game but, light weight utility boot Omni Wool Tactical socks have been great. American made, American wool, nylon, and lycra. I bought them on base for $20 per pair; great boot sock.

[@briansanchez1740]

Been waiting for this video forever lmfao

[@Wm.Lidgett]

love my darn tough socks

[@taorion]

Darn Tough. Lifetime guarantee, free shipping.

[@carpenter4lyfe305]

I may not have a red wing or thorogood or Duluth outlet in my town but I do have WIGWAM and their socks are fantastic USA made products, WIGWAM has been a USA company for over 100 years (if I recall correctly) check them out!

[@bryanpatterson4171]

Quality is great, but I wish I could find a good quality sock that fits a size 15ee

[@rubberducky6411]

I wore wool socks,pure wool for the first time on a 8 mile hike.The wool actually skinned the bottom of my feet due to the friction.I always wear cotton as a first layer for everything.Funny how guys never talk about socks.

[@CarlMurawski]

Yeah for sure! They’re important but definitely along with underwear as the items that don’t get enough attention.

[@007cheburashka]

I’ve been using primarily Darn Tough and Smartwool socks, and actually just bought my first pair of Chup from a local shop.. really enjoying the Chup socks so far and think they’re a great indulgence for the festive season.. look cool worn with some sandals in the house. 😃

[@lapizza7206]

Can you do dress socks next? The only videos on KZbin are Kirby's and the gentlemen's gazette and those two videos are just plugs for their stores.

[@Seedavis397]

I have 10 pair of darn tough I have been buying for last 6 years and yet to wear through a single pair.... but when I do I’m just going to send them in for lifetime warranty replacement.

[@trevorallen5988]

I'm just glad to see someone with caveman feet like me!

[@lapatrie6568]

The Mail man says Smart Wool . Except nothing else!

[@nicolasmorillo5328]

Don't worry Carl, some of us get the metaphor

[@TheSpiikki]

I just knit my own socks 😎

[@MikiBlue]

Actually I am looking for good socks. Here in Australia thus far every time I buy a pair of socks they keep stretching. Not comfortable when stretching happens under your feet.

[@NB-ir1me]

Ro toe toe , say it fast with no emphasis on any Ove the vowels, smooth and all at once. That’s how you pronounce Japanese names rowtowtow, somewhat fast and all 3 syllables should sound exactly the same

[@richardwalley2862]

There are some unique socks out there and when I wear my $200 Selvedge jeans and my $400 boots I think it’s only right to get a unique sock..within reason…I like rototo old school socks but anything over $30 a pair in cost just does not make any sense.

[@Saw_Squatch]

Ok it might not be as sexy as leather boots and waxed canvas jackets but good underwear is SUPER important for us working men and would be an awesome video like this. I've tried under armour, exoficio, saxx, duluth buck naked, and numerous others but now I swear by the duluth trading armachillo underwear in long length. Keeps what needs to be cool and dry properly cool and dry and the extra length keeps them from riding up and provides a protective layer to prevent chafing between my tree trunk thighs.

[@Harleyforever20]

I think that this video needed to be done. However, I guess I’m like lots of folks. When I need socks or underwear, I go straight to Walmart. I buy 2 or 3 packs at a time. When they get cruddy lookin, I just throw em away and go back to Walmart.