BEST Boot Sock Brands: Darn Tough, Camel City Mill, and WORN! Which is best?

[@JohnnyAndTheUniverse]

Lol the intro music is so intense and then it’s a video about socks

[@Mightycaptain]

Wow. I've had the complete opposite experience when it comes to wear. Cotton socks last months. I've not worn out a wool sock in the last 5 years. And I've taken to wearing them everyday.

[@mason5990]

its pretty hit or miss, BUT, Darn Tough's "Slightly Irregular" line can often be found at TJ Maxx for $8- $9, its the standard line of socks but with imperfections. I know for the few pairs that I have the only issue is that a few rows of stitching on the "darn tough" lettering is misaligned.

[@aradoran]

I purchased some Smart Wool factory seconds a while back. Nothing on them seems that irregular. They’ve been solid socks

[@adamr63]

Wool is better than cotton at any temperatures when wearing boots. Wool wicks moisture away, cotton stores it. The difference is huge in terms of comfort, reducing blisters, smelly feet, bacteria, etc.

[@HeritageCast]

Try 100% wool Irish socks...

[@adamr63]

@@HeritageCast Too loosely knitted, bunchy, and thick for me, I prefer closely knitted Merino / synthetic blends, but I use them for about 10-12km a day in hiking boots. I'm okay with Irish wool and similar in a heritage boot but I just use my hiking socks instead,

[@MomoMKDAO]

I find that at the lower price point, the Costco merino wool socks are also great. Still US made, you can get a 4 pack for 20 bucks

[@whereRbearsTeeth]

Darn tough socks are unbeatable. Lifetime warranty, so you only have to buy them once and you have a pair of socks for life. What other company is doing that?

[@Exotic-P]

Grip 6 socks

[@jefftunnell5644]

Ordered the Camel City Mill lightweight to pair with my work boots. Hope they work as well as you say . . . :-)

[@jimr880]

Darn Tough's best socks are their T4022 Boot Full Cushion, T4033 Boot Extra Cushion, and Men's Merino Wool Boot Sock (Midweight) Full Cushion. As much as I like Camel City Mills socks...well, they got lightweight and heavyweight in grey or black. I'm not so much hung-up on the colors (they're boot socks after all) as much as I'm looking for a midweight and some cushion and full cushion options because all my boots fit better with different socks. Offhand, the Camel City Mill lightweight is my go-to boot sock because they're just a good fit with so many of my boots (9 brands and about 40 boots total), plus I like the semi-compression feel and the face they don't fall down. A close second would be the Darn Tough T4022 and Merino Wool Boot Sock. They're basically 95% the same sock, and I like how the full cushion makes some of my boots just fit better. Plus, I like how they're a big warmer on cold day...yet, really aren't any hotter on warm days. They perform just as well at keeping feet comfortable and dry and the Camel City Mill. Third, is the Darn Tough T4033 with Extra Cushion. I've got a 2-3 pairs of boots that, although they fit fine, they have a high toe box (I have a lower arch) that just fit PERFECTLY with this extra cushion. Hopefully CCM will offer a midweight (I'd buy a couple pairs) but I don't think they'll be able to match what Darn Tough does with their Full and Extra cushion socks because of their more intricate stitch pattern. But who knows! Lastly, is the Camel City Mill heavyweight. I like them, but not as much as the others and the others are just a better option in almost all cases. Plus, the heavyweight don't quite feel as good as the lightweight, and the do fall down a bit from time to time. Other than Camel City Mill and Darn Tough, I got rid of all my other boot socks. I've tried plenty of other wool, and cotton, and blend socks...and I'm sticking with these two. No need to even look at WORN. Cheers!

[@DalesLeatherworks]

Thanks so much for this thoughtful input on these brands!!

[@maycreekcruiser]

As far as sock history goes, wool socks in particular were usually handmade. Here in the PNW many local women, including women from the local tribes, would knit wool socks and sell them to loggers and other outdoor workers. Wool socks have a tendency to blow out in the heel, so sometimes a cotton-thread backing was added to the heel or toe to reinforce them. This isn’t really done anymore to my knowledge. Also, socks would get repaired like you said. A good pair of wool socks (if properly repaired and maintained) could probably last you over a year, but they were definitely not very durable compared to other fibers. If you want a crazy thick & warm 100% wool sock, there is a company called Dachstein Woolwear that makes traditional wool socks. They are like 60 bucks though, so, definitely an investment…

[@DalesLeatherworks]

Thanks for the wisdom my friend, this is excellent input 😎

[@georgepatton5380]

For summer months.. I wear a thinner wool sock made by Farm to Feet. Another great American brand.

[@cozmicblade4410]

Rip I got size 13 parkhurst feet so I can't take advantage of those sales but some sites bulk buy darn tough socks and sell them on a major discount near black friday, I used mountain steals

[@Arc_Viper]

You know you are getting old when you watch a 30 minute video on socks.

[@joeybaldarelli6620]

Merino wool in the summer is a game changer!

[@transc3ndus]

What about the Red Wing 80% merino wool sock?

[@DalesLeatherworks]

Haven’t tried them yet!

[@transc3ndus]

Well ... Please do try them if you get the chance and give us your feedback.😁

[@bonecollector1968]

Worn socks are imo the best for durability and comfort, compared to darn tough, I dont own the camel city. Yet😂

[@cameronatkins7496]

I think it's more about the thought behind the making of the sock. I have darn tough and both camel city, but my daily ones when im not in the field are a wool athletic sock release from gustin so its the material of wool the benefit of being made more for wicking moisture and all seasons

[@DalesLeatherworks]

Very cool, thanks for your insights as always Cameron! I’ll check out the gustin stuff

[@rafaelmrm478]

I use keecows and they have been good for me compare to the regular boots socks.

[@AlphaChimpEnergy]

Wrangler star and DLW would be a great collaboration vid!

[@tony_r_pierce]

Good video Dale. I have Darn Tough and Camel City Mill. I can also recommend Farm to Feet (for boots that are a little bit big, they have a "Kodiak" model that's quite thick) and Willow Ace for very affordable alpaca.

[@DalesLeatherworks]

Thanks for the tips! So many brands to cover!! 😂😅

[@Exotic-P]

What brand is better for stealtoe boots?

[@tony_r_pierce]

@@Exotic-P Breathable is important for steel toe especially. Wool or alpaca made by brands mentioned here will be a good option I think.

[@eagleeyes9770]

I like my Darn Tough and Smart Wool, but I’m trying Minus 33 next 👍

[@Midnightrider1177]

I’ve worn lightweight wool socks during the summer for many years . I’ll probably never go back

[@fordsmobile1672]

That’s what we’ve been waiting for lmao. I hope you’re doing well Dale

[@kevinmarlin4585]

Darn Tough are a great sock but over time tend to slide down and were my favorite. Will's socks don't have that issue and are now my favorite sock. I've probably tried over 20 brands of socks. I don't follow wash rules and wash on warm not cold but I never put my wool socks in the dryer only air dry. Will's socks are hard to find in stock but if you can get them try a pair or two both light and heavy.

[@BWM135]

Not much to add, aside from pointing out that the actual value of a long warranty is often overestimated by customers. I don't know the fine print for CCM and DT, but I've no doubt the long warranties are intended to create the perception of value and justify the fairly high asking prices for these socks. To an extent, buyers are paying for these "Warranties" whether they end up benefitting from them or not, and if memory serves, if you need a warranty replacement you're going to be doing some hoop jumping and spending additional money for shipping / processing to avail oneself of that warranty protection. I'm sure the warranty does have SOME real world value, I just find myself being a bit of a cynic / skeptic when it comes to ANY premium priced product that leans so heavily on warranty assurances as part of their marketing. Feel free to set me straight if my read on the actual value of the warranty is off base. I haven't read all the fine print, and am still learning about what separates these high end socks from one another. I do have a pair of Darn Tough thin cushioned socks that I bought to wear with my fairly new Truman JWFs. They seem very well made, but sizing wise they seem to run at the high end of their scale. I'm a 13.5 E Brannock, 14 in sneakers, and a 13.5 EE on the Truman 79 last. The DT size XL (Not even their 2X) is so long that it ends up bunching in the toe box. Definitely not used to that as someone who can't even wear a lot of boot brands since they don't produce anything past a US size 12 or 13. Who knows... Cheers all.

[@crankc]

I just got 5 pairs of Darn Tough socks replaced via warranty. I filled out a short warranty form and only paid to ship them to Darn Tough. The socks were between 3 to 6 years old. The whole process took about 2.5 weeks (warranty form to new socks in hand).

[@nobody2021]

I get what you're saying and that definitely is partially a marketing thing, but I've heard that some brick and mortar retail stores that carry their socks participate in a warranty replacement program where you can go into the store and exchange them in person for your warranty replacement socks. You'd have to find a store that participates in that, but that would save you from paying for shipping If you can find one.

[@Luckychuckbrand]

YOU need Lucky Chuck Socks !!

[@ljohnston5457]

I have the Darn Tough and Camel City Mill socks and honestly after about a year I find myself reaching for Camel City Mill socks for work. They just feel better in the 4 pairs of work boots I rotate through. I do like my Darn Tough when hiking during the summer though.

[@eingames9931]

Probably would try Camel City if they would get to making medium, but until then I'll stick with Darn Tough.

[@DalesLeatherworks]

The Camel city large fit just like the darn tough in medium 😎

[@taifu13781]

Now you gotta try paka socks 😂

[@DalesLeatherworks]

Another brand!! 😂😅

[@stewartwallace5741]

I’m trying Farm to Feet and like them but they tend not to stay up. My Camel City are great as well.

[@waxedearth5425]

Darn Tough don’t stay up! Their customer service is best in class though! I’m still rockin’ a Duluth Trading haul I snagged on clearance the Christmas before the pandemic. 5 pairs of 90% wool, and 14 pairs of 50% wool, nylon blends. They are all still in good shape with only the ones pair developing a hole. They stay up all day too which is the best part.

[@aradoran]

I’ll give Darn tough and Camel City mill a try when some space opens up in the sock drawer. However I can vouche for the following socks ranked best to worse: 1. Kirklands Wool Socks from Costco (might be discontinued?). Best value I’ve ever had in a sock, and also the best feel/quality of any on this list. 2. Giro Seasonal Wool socks. Great lightweight/hot weather wool blend. Design style sucks for casual/dress/non-cycling uses. 3. Redwing Wool socks. Good all around but kinda pricey. 4. Smart Wool. Pros: Cool designs, a little lighter weight than the others. Con: some of the shafts/cuffs are different on each design and don’t grip as well. 5. Sock Guy thin wool socks. Nice for warmer months. The models I got are taller than I prefer, but they do have some shorter crew length models. 6. Giro Winter wool socks. Good but shorter shaft than some of the others. Just prefer the Kirklands or redwing. 7. Defeet Woolie Boolies: Okay but the wool seems to have compacted over time. 8. Defeet Wooleater. A decent thin wool sock but prefer the Giro seasonal.

[@kennydjvulgartrendkiller4314]

Wool is rhe number one rule 😅