Darn Tough's hiking socks are just as comfortable on mile 20 as they are on mile 1 — and I'll never hike without them again

• A reliable hiking sock shouldn't just fit you well but also needs to be comfortable over many miles of hiking, built to last for several years, and provide support where you need it.
• Darn Tough's Light Hiker Micro Crew hiking socks are a hiker's dream, offering a snug fit that won't sag, the ability to keep your feet dry no matter how warm it gets, and cushion and support for your Achilles.
• Though they're expensive at $21 per pair, they're backed by a lifetime warranty and are designed to last.

Every hiker knows that the key to enjoying their time on the trail is keeping their feet comfortable and happy. That's the reason they'll spend hours researching the proper boots to wear on their adventures and try on a half-dozen pairs in the search to find the perfect fit.

So, why is it that so few of those hikers actually put any thought into the socks they wear inside those shoes? After all, our socks may play at least as big a role when it comes to avoiding blisters and hot spots.

Vermont-based Darn Tough has made socks for use in the outdoors — and elsewhere — for nearly four decades. Since the beginning, the company's goal has always been to produce socks that are comfortable, durable, and offer the best fit possible. This has helped to make it a favorite amongst hikers and backpackers who so often trust a pair of Darn Tough socks to get them through the most grueling of treks.

The Darn Tough Hike/Trek sock

To find out if its socks actually do live up to the hype, we recently hit the trail in a pair of its new Hike/Trek line. Consisting of nearly 20 different options, the most evident variation of each style comes down its specific length. There's everything from the Hiker No Show which barely reaches the ankle to the Mountaineering Over-the-Calf, which — as you guessed it — rises above the calf.

Everything else fits somewhere in the middle, although most fall into a standard micro crew category. This style of sock has been sized to reach just over the top of a typical hiking boot. The various models Darn Tough offers also feature several types of cushioning, as well as activity-specific support and reinforcement.

The sock that we've spent the most amount of time in is the Light Hiker Micro Crew Light Cushion. Specifically made for day hikes or fast and light treks on longer trails, it was designed to be extremely lightweight, yet still offer top-notch performance without compromises. This is a promise it delivered on during my testing over, countless hikes in both cool, rainy early-spring conditions and warm, muggy summer-like temperatures.

The magic is in the manufacturing

In creating the Light Hiker sock, Darn Tough chose to use merino wool rather than a synthetic fiber. In addition to being a naturally occurring material, merino has a few properties that make it a great choice for socks — or any other piece of apparel for that matter. Not only is it fast-drying, breathable, and adept at wicking moisture, it's also durable and has antimicrobial properties. That means it'll keep your feet dry and comfortable, without collecting odors.

That said, there are a number of sock manufacturers who use merino wool in their products, so Darn Tough isn't alone. It's what the company does with the material afterward that helps it stand out from the competition.

In this case, that means designing a sock from the ground up with hikers in mind. It's done that by adding subtle (and appreciated) touches, such as a bit of additional cushioning along the Achilles tendon. This part of the body can take a beating on treks that feature a lot of climbing and descending, but the extra support provided by these socks helped noticeably reduce fatigue.

Additional support comes in the way of a thin layer of cushioning found under the foot, too. This extra padding doesn't seem like much but it does well to help reduce the impact that comes along with the repetitive motion of hiking on a trail. Of course, the hiking boots or shoes you wear play a larger role in keeping your legs and feet fresh but the Light Hiker's integrated cushion does a surprisingly good job of assisting.

Quick dry for comfortable feet

Perhaps the biggest challenge hikers face when it comes to taking care of their feet is keeping them dry. This is especially true during the warmer months, where hot, sweaty feet are common, both on and off the trail. When perspiration collects in the sock, it often ends up creating friction between the fabric and your skin. This often leads to painful blisters, which can turn even the best hikes into painful slogs.

The Light Hiker's use of merino wool helps alleviate this issue to a degree but a strategically placed mesh panel on the top of this sock further accelerates the venting process. Excess heat and moisture pass freely through the fabric, which helped keep my foot much drier as a result. And since this sock uses a seamless construction process, it's much less likely to cause irritations and hot spots, too.

A thoughtful fit

The other common annoyance the Light Hiker addresses are the issue of loose-fitting socks that slide down while hiking. This sock has a snug (but not confining) fit that feels comfortable and supportive along the entire foot.

It holds itself firmly in place thanks to a narrow strip of fabric located along its opening. Other than being lightly ribbed, this section of fabric doesn't feel especially different from the rest of the material used in the Light Hiker's construction. It seems to make a significant difference when it comes to holding it in place, however, as I never once had to stop to pull the socks up or reposition them while hiking. Better still, this elastic cuff seems durable enough that it won't stretch out over time, allowing it to continue doing its job over the life of the sock.

The bottom line

Priced at $21 per pair, the Darn Tough Light Hiker is more expensive than a typical athletic sock that you'd find at the local big-box store. It also has more technology, design and thought put into it than anything you'd find there, too. You only have to wear this sock out on the trail once to understand why it's one of Darn Tough's top-selling models. Your feet will thank you and you'll wonder why you hadn't invested in a good pair of hiking socks sooner.

As is the case with all Darn Tough socks, the brand backs its Hike/Trek line with an unconditional lifetime guarantee. That means that if you find the Light Hike doesn't meet your expectations in terms of fit, comfort, and lifespan, you can return them to the company at any time for a replacement, no questions asked. Darn Tough is confident you'll like its socks and after logging several long hikes in them myself, I am, too.

• Should you buy them? Hiking socks don't get better than the Darn Tough Light Hiker. Whether it's comfort, fit, durability, or protection, these socks impress at every turn. They're a bit on the expensive end at $21 per pair but with how long it's designed to last, consider that an incredible long-term investment.
• What are your alternatives? If you're looking for a hiking sock that's not just comfortable but one that protects against cold weather, try the Fox River Cold Weather Explorer Sock. With a blend of nylon, spandex, wool, and acrylic, they're great for keeping your feet warm when temperatures drop. We're also fans of Bombas' style-centric pairs and Smartwool's warm weather PhD Outdoor Light Hiking Crew Sock.

Pros: Comfortable, don't fall down while wearing, offer support for your Achilles, helps fight odors, and keeps your feet dry
Cons: Expensive