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ProView – Darn Tough Hunter Socks

The Hunter Over the Calf-Extra Cushion and the Hunter Micro Crew Cushion are by far my new favorite socks.  These socks were put through over nine days straight of lodgepole break down, thick dogwood brush and crumbly limestone archery hunting.  After a good wash, I put them back to work clearing trails, fixing docks and doing trail patrols. Each style has its own proper day to wear but they hold up exactly how you want an adventure sock to hold up.  

Darn Tough Hunter Socks

Product Description: Darn Tough Vermont Socks are purpose built premium merino wool socks made in Vermont, USA. Our socks are guaranteed for life to be the best fitting, and most comfrotable.

Offer price: $22.00-$30.00 MSRP

  • Quality
    (5)
  • Features
    (5)
  • Fit
    (5)
  • Durability
    (4)
  • Eco-Friendly
    (5)

Summary

One of my favorite socks, fits snug, stays in place. 

Overall
4.8

Pros

  • Stayed over the calf and did not slide down
  • Super comfortable
  • Kept my feet warm all day, even after hiking several miles then stopping for a break (aka nap)

Cons

  • None yet

I felt like a kid who was patiently waiting for his Cracker Jack toy to arrive in the mail.  As soon as these socks were out of the box they were on my feet for their first test.  I took the Hunter Micro Crew Cushion out for a trail run in preparation for a 9-day elk archery hunt. This style of sock hugged every curve of my foot and stayed in place throughout the entire run.  After the first mile, I realized how comfortable the cushion is and the snug feel.  Once I finish a run, I am used to my feet being soaked with sweat, that did not happen with the Darn Tough.  Even running on a warm day with the amount I sweat, my feet were dry and they did not overheat. 

Now that my confidence in this brand is already higher than it was.  I packed the Hunter Over the Calf-Extra Cushion and the Micro Crew Cushion in my pack and started down the road for camp.  The next morning, once the Hunter Over the Calf-Extra Cushion sock was comfortably in place I felt like I didn’t need coffee.  I was so comforted by the warm feeling from my toes that it enlightened my entire body.  Before I got too excited, I knew the real test was about to come. Ahead of me was an eight-mile day with 4,000 feet of elevation, trekking over some of the roughest terrain in search of the elusive wapiti.  Throughout the day we encountered heat, rain, large creek crossings, slick logs, uneven rock terrain, and wind.  After a solid day of putting the Over the Calf style to a test that would meet most qualifications of a hunter, I felt relieved that this was the sock on my feet.  Not once did I have to adjust the top of the sock to be over my calf.  The sock kept my feet warm, dry, and cozy like that perfectly heated log cabin the woods on a chilly snowy winter day.   

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About the Gear Tester

Outdoor Prolink Pro
Rathe_Derrick
Derrick Rathe
District Park Ranger :: Montana State Parks

Derrick started his career as a Cave Tour Guide for Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and after three summers of interpreting the life underground, he landed his first Park Ranger gig.  While doing two years of seasonal Park Ranger work for Lewis and Clark Caverns he filled in the off-season time with jobs as a Hunting Access Technician, Ski Lift Operator and groomer, volunteer work for the Forest Service, and trail adventures.  Most recently he has worked as a District Park Ranger for three Montana State Parks in northwest Montana.  This current position gives him the opportunity to lead environmental education for local K-12 schools, community colleges and public visitors near and far.  If you can’t find him talking about nature with a group you may want look to look on the local rivers, lakes, trails, mountain tops, in a hole, digging snow pits or the local pizza place.

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