Need sock help - Darn Tough, Kenetrek & others!

[BrushyHillGuide]

I’m trying to upgrade my socks and need some guidance. I live way to far out to get anywhere to ‘try on’ good socks so I’m depending on yall. Right now I’m running an assortment of merino and blended socks I’ve acquired on one sale or another over the years. I’ve kind of narrowed my choices down to Darn Tough, Kenetrek, First Lite Gore and Kuiu. I can’t get the FL socks until next spring when they have them back in stock and I’ve ordered a set of the Kuiu mid calf height socks already. Right now I’m really looking for advice on the Darn Tough and Kenetrek because there are so many options; and not really the kind of descriptions that make it clear (to me, anyway) which ones would be the most useful to me.

I’m essentially looking for: 1) Some taller (mid calf or OTC) heavier weight socks for glassing or sitting in a whitetail blind in cold weather. 2) Lighter crew height socks that I can use for daily drivers around the ranch (here in S Texas) where it gets really hot in the summmer and on early season scouting and hunting in Idaho and Wyoming. Im going to be running Crispi Nevada’s and Dakota GTX boots.

I haven’t run sock liners in 20 years but I’m really thinking about trying some from Kenetrek.

SO....Which models would you try? Please don’t suggest other brands as I don’t want to expand my list more than it already is.


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[wapitibob]

I use rei and darn tough. More merino in rei but the DT's are built tougher and seem to have less stretch. I too quit wearing a liner sock.

 

[AK Shane]

Of the three brands you mention I have a pair of the Kuiu and 4 pair of Darn Tough. Thought the Kuiu's were going to be kind of a gimic but they are actually very comfort and very durable. The Kuiu are heavier weight and better for cooler temps.

Darn Tough socks are awesome. I've had the same four pair for 3-4 years and I bet they last another 3-4 years. I have both merino and synthetic in heavy and medium weights. They have dozens of styles now to choose from. Can never go wrong with DT.

I know you said no other brands but I have to throw a plug for Farm to Feet. Most comfortable merino sock I've ever put on my feet. Just bought them recently so we'll see how they hold up.

And another plug for liner socks. I like liners in the mountains. They aren't all made equal though so find some good ones with litter to no seam across the toes.

 

[Laelkhunter]

I have moved exclusively to the following: Kenetrek Ultimate Liner sock, and the Kenetrek Alaska sock. Alaska are almost knee high, and have padding in the front (tongue/lace area) in addition to the normal toe and heel padding. Extremely comfortable system, that wicks well and keeps feet warm.
I have not tried the Darn Tough socks, but they are highly regarded by members on the forum. I would suggest a pair or two of each, and see which you prefer.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I’m essentially looking for: 1) Some taller (mid calf or OTC) heavier weight socks for glassing or sitting in a whitetail blind in cold weather. 2) Lighter crew height socks that I can use for daily drivers around the ranch (here in S Texas) where it gets really hot in the summmer and on early season scouting and hunting in Idaho and Wyoming. Im going to be running Crispi Nevada’s and Dakota GTX boots.

For darn tough:
1) You either want the mountaineering or hunting over the calf extra cushion versions.
2) Unless you want really thin you likely want either the hiker or hunter boot "cushion" this is cushion on the bottom and thinner on the top (the "full cushion" are as thick on top as they are on the bottom). I'm not familiar with the light cushion versions.

I don't think there is really any meaningful difference in the naming between the hiker/hunter/mountaineering in terms of the socks likely more for marketing to different demographics.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I only wear FITS brand socks. I like to order them one size up. I haven't found a use for liner socks.

 

[Trial153]

Second the plug for Farm to feet. I own or owed all the socks the op metioned with the exception of kuiu and i like the farm to feet way better.
there over the shin hunting pair is fantastic for low activity things like whitetail hunting and glassing. I have about 20 pair from them and i wear them daily.

 

[Greg Beck]

Darn Tough for me! Only sock I wear anymore.

 

[kylem]

Over the past 5 years or so I've wore Darn Tough socks almost exclusively and I thought they were the best socks out there until I got my first pair of Farm to Feet this fall. After using them for all of my hunting this year I think my Darn Tough's will be worn as an everyday sock and the Farm to Feet will be the only sock I wear for hiking/scouting/hunting for quite some time.

 

[BrushyHillGuide]

Nothing against Farm to Feet - I’ll definitely be trying them in the near future. Just had to draw the line somewhere and it ended up JUST above Farm to Feet.

For darn tough:
1) You either want the mountaineering or hunting over the calf extra cushion versions.
2) Unless you want really thin you likely want either the hiker or hunter boot "cushion" this is cushion on the bottom and thinner on the top (the "full cushion" are as thick on top as they are on the bottom). I'm not familiar with the light cushion versions.

I don't think there is really any meaningful difference in the naming between the hiker/hunter/mountaineering in terms of the socks likely more for marketing to different demographics.

Thanks! That’s exactly what I needed help with. Their selection. Is kind of overwhelming. Maybe TOO many choices. My heads kinda swimming trying to pick out 3-4 pairs to try to get a better feeling for them.

I’m not just looking for a hunting/backpacking sock but also a good sock for daily wear in the 8 months of the year where temps are between 80° and 108° and I’m wearing cowboy boots or all canvas boots like UA Extreme Hunter boots or even tennis shoes for a run. I’m tired of buying Nike or Addidas socks that last 3 months. Hoping that Darn Tough will work for that as well as hunting.


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[WolfpackNOgun]

Another vote for DT socks but I also wear smartwool just to rotate socks through the seasons.

 

[gelton]

I wear some form of Darn Tough socks everyday. Excellent socks. I started out with Smart Wool so I have more than enough of those as well.

This hunting season I wore darn tough nearly every day but the one day that I put on the Smart Wools I started to develop a hot spot under the ball of my feet. The "cushion" had gone flat which is not something I have ever experienced with Darn Tough...that day only solidified my Darn Tough fanboyiness.

I should add that I also have a couple pairs of farm to feet warm weather socks (not sure of the exact model) but to me compared to the same type of warm weather Darn Tough sock, the farm to feet has more spandex to wool ratio than Darn Tough and as a result my feet sweat and smell more in the farm to feet sock than the darn tough sock...cant speak for their mountaineering/hiking socks though.

 

[mcseal2]

I like the Darn Tough socks also, wearing them right now. I like the full cushion boot sock or the black hunter sock. The full cushion are my favorite if I'm packing a heavy load or will be hiking really rough country. I don't wear a liner with them.

 

[Highlander]

Greetings Roksliders, good thread here. For hunting, I run First Lite and Kenetrek socks. In warm weather, the Triads from FL are awesome. When things get colder, the FL cold weather sock or Kenetrek Montanas get the job done and keep you comfortable, along with FL gaiters on the outside. No liner socks for this guy.
As a daily wearer, you gotta try Stance socks. My USMC friend put me onto Stance, and it has proven to be great advice. They keep your feet from feeling tired and sweaty.

 

[elkguide]

Darn Tough fanboy here. My go to bicycling socks, my hunting socks and my everyday socks.

(And IF you wear them out, DT will replace them!!!!!)

 

[frankrb3]

For hiking my favorite Darn Tough sock is actually their dress sock. I have several other thicker models for cooler temps or less activity but I wear the crap out of the dress socks, almost till the end of rifle season.

Amazon.com: Darn Tough Vermont Merino Wool Dress Crew Sock: Sports & Outdoors

 

[BrushyHillGuide]

Well, I ordered 7 pairs of Darn Tough, 3 pairs of Kenetrek and 1 pair of Cabelas’ Instinct OTC. Going to try them all out and see what I like in my new Crispis and in my off day running shoes.


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[elkguide]

Will be looking forward to your review.

 

[Grambo]

Darn Tough x12

 

[Agross]

Like my darn toughs. Just got a couple pairs of gore socks, really like these. Up next I will be trying some farm to feet.