Why Socks Might Be Your Most Important Piece of Gear
We all love the flashy stuff. Backpacks, skis, jackets. But none of it matters if your feet are wrecked. From grocery runs to Oak Openings Metropark hikes to a powder day at Mount Bohemia, the right sock keeps you moving, blister free, and way less grumpy.
Today we’re putting three popular options to the test: Smartwool, Darn Tough, and the Costco Kirkland Merino budget sock. We ran abrasion tests on granite, soaked and timed dry-outs, and even did a campfire heat test.
The Lineup
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Darn Tough Socks
Shop: Ridge and River Darn Tough selection -
Smartwool Socks
Shop: Ridge and River Smartwool selection -
Costco Kirkland Merino
Budget option we used as a control. About 3 to 4 dollars per pair in a multi-pack.
Brand Vibes and Fit Feel
Smartwool: Soft, plush, crazy comfy
Smartwool has been in the merino game for decades. The socks feel soft in hand, a touch thicker, and have a looser knit that hugs less aggressively. Tons of variants from zero cushion to full cushion. Comfort is the calling card. Tradeoff is a bit faster wear if you’re rough.
Best for: all-day comfort, ski and snowboard socks, general active use where you want a cozy feel.
Darn Tough: Dense knit, locked-in performance
Made in Vermont with a legendary lifetime guarantee. Fit is snug with a denser knit that holds its shape and resists bagging out. Slight break-in, then they just disappear on foot. Our go-to for hiking and trekking.
Best for: hiking, backpacking, wet and variable conditions, high mileage days.
Costco Merino: Soft and cheap
Surprisingly comfortable for the price. Knit is open and stretchy with minimal targeted reinforcement. Good for trying winter sports without investing. Expect faster wear and tear.
Best for: tight budgets, casual wear, experimenting before upgrading.
The Tests and Results
1) Abrasion Test
We simulated years of campsite shuffling by running each sock 50 passes on a sharp edge of granite.
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Smartwool: Slight pilling and fiber wear but impressively intact.
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Darn Tough: Similar pilling, a touch rough after, still very usable.
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Costco: More snagging and thinning, visible fuzz everywhere.
Winner: Smartwool by a nose. Darn Tough close behind. Costco distant third.
2) Water Retention and Quick-Dry
We soaked each sock, let them drip for two hours, measured what they held, then wrung them out to see what remained.
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Initial retention: Darn Tough 2.0 oz, Smartwool 2.0 oz, Costco 2.6 oz.
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After drip dry plus wring:
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Darn Tough 2.3 oz
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Smartwool 2.6 oz
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Costco about 3.0 oz
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Takeaway: Darn Tough sheds moisture faster and holds less after the same drying time, which matters for river crossings, snow days, and sweaty efforts.
3) Campfire Heat Test
We heated the socks near a campfire to see which fabric structure handled heat best.
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Smartwool: Stayed soft and pliable with only minor crisping.
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Darn Tough: Slight melt and crunch in high-knit reinforcement zones.
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Costco: Crispy, brittle, damaged.
Winner: Smartwool. If your feet like to wander a bit close to the flames, these held up best.
Overall Winners
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Best Overall Comfort and Heat Resilience: Smartwool
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Best for Wet Conditions and Fast Drying: Darn Tough
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Best Budget Starter: Costco Kirkland Merino
Both Smartwool and Darn Tough are excellent. If you ski or ride and want plush comfort, Smartwool is tough to beat. If you hike muddy Toledo Metroparks, backpack, or run into slush and stream crossings, Darn Tough’s quick-dry edge is clutch.
Zach’s and Conor’s Real-World Notes
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Zach wore one pair of Smartwool snowboard socks for three straight days on a winter trip. They dried overnight by the heater and stayed comfy and funk resistant.
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Darn Tough durability is legit. Out of roughly eight pairs, Zach only has one tiny heel hole in a pair that is 8 to 9 years old.
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Costco’s merino did better than expected for the price but loses every torture test. Great as a low-risk intro.
Use Cases Around Toledo, Ohio
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Oak Openings Metropark day hikes: Darn Tough Hike/Trek with light cushion for sandy, rooty trails.
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Side Cut or Wildwood morning jogs: Smartwool light cushion or zero cushion for breathable comfort.
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Maumee River winter walks and slush: Darn Tough for faster dry-outs and fewer soggy miles.
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Snowboarding road trips up north: Smartwool snowboard socks for warmth and in-boot comfort.
Sizing, Fit, and Care Tips
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Follow the size chart on the package. A denser knit like Darn Tough should feel snug, not tight.
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Air dry when you can. Merino lasts longer with gentler heat.
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Avoid walking around camp in socks on rock and wood to reduce abrasion.
Shop The Socks
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🧦 Darn Tough at Ridge and River:
Shop Darn Tough -
🧦 Smartwool at Ridge and River:
Shop Smartwool
Want to feel them in person and get fit advice from real humans?
📍 Visit us in-store: Ridge and River Toledo Location
Watch the full video with all the tests: 🎥
YouTube: Smartwool vs Darn Tough vs Costco
And come hang with us:
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Instagram: @ridgeandrivergear
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YouTube: Ridge and River Channel
