I have been running in Darn Tough Socks for about 5 months now and so far I’ve had nothing but good experiences with them.

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In this Darn Tough socks review I’m going to share 3 reasons why I love my latest pair of running socks, the Coolmax Vertex 1/4 Ultra-Light Cushion.

Before I start, here’s a little bit of background information relating to the type of running I enjoy. My shortest runs very rarely fall shorter than 10km and I’ll race anything up to 50km. I have been known to enter much longer Ultra races and am currently signed up for The North Face 50 mile in San Francisco this coming November.

I’m so excited about that race for many reasons but one of the main ones is that it’s right on our doorstep since moving from the UK to California.

These socks have been with me on runs of up to 30km and have felt very comfortable at all times. Read on to find out more reasons why I love these socks…

3 reasons why I love these Darn Tough socks

1. The fit and feel of the material

This is obviously an important aspect of any socks for outdoor activities, including running and hiking, as well as ski and snowboard socks, for example.

If they aren’t comfortable then you’re not going to be able to get the most enjoyment out of your activity. These socks have a performance fit while still feeling soft and durable.

They are also seamless which gives a very comfortable feel on your foot with no possibility of rubbing and hence no blisters. The fabric used for the top of your foot is thinner and more breathable than the rest of the sock, allowing for heat to escape.

I should note that in very hot conditions (like summer in California), these socks may overheat your feet due to the soft layer of cushioning along the bottom of the sock. The cushioning exists for extra protection when running long distances, so it’s a caveat of the protection the sock offers.

The materials used in this sock are as follows:

• 50% Coolmax® Polyester
• 46% Nylon
• 4% Lycra® Spandex

RELATED: Best No-Show Running Socks

2. Fast Drying Coolmax

These Darn Tough socks wick moisture away from my feet very effectively, when running through streams, which seems to happen a lot in trail races in California! It’s important to not have soggy feet when running for long periods of time because this ‘locked in moisture’ can soften the ski, allowing blisters to form.

3. 1/4 Length Sock Height

As a trail runner I have come to learn that it’s very likely that a section of your course is going to require running through grit, dirt or small stones. If you have low rise socks then this dirt will undoubtably end up down your socks.

During a race, this can be quite painful if you choose to keep running with the grit in there, or alternatively it can lose you valuable time should you decide to stop and clean them out. Having socks that are a bit longer will prevent this from happening.

Bonus: As with all Darn Tough socks, they are Guaranteed for life!

Yes, you read that correctly! It shows real confidence in the quality of your product to be able to offer a service like that. I must remember to ask Darn Tough whether or not it includes my cat running off with one and chewing it to death? It’s still a real problem in this household! 🙂

More colors available

Although I love the blue variant I have, there are also 3 more funky options available. These socks are currently available for $17 in the darntough.com store.

Darn Tough Coolmax Vertex 1/4

Comfort

9.5

Design & Function

9

Durability

9

Performance

8.5

Value

9

Pros

Very soft materials

Seamless stitching

Cushioning on the bottom

Fast drying and sweat wicking

1/4 length stops dirt getting in them

4 colors available

Guaranteed for life

Cons

Feet can overheat in very hot weather

9

Overall Score

Any Questions?

If you have any questions about these socks or anything relating to them then please leave a comment below and I will reply as soon as possible. Happy Trails!!