Smartwool Vs Darn Tough Socks For Running & Hiking
When choosing between Smartwool vs Darn Tough socks for running and hiking, know that they are extremely similar in terms of performance, price, and materials. Both brands make sport-specific socks with premium merino/nylon blends that are downright excellent. You will almost certainly be happy either way.
However, there are some minor differences, and this article draws them out by diving into fit, construction, nuance, and technical details. What follows is an overview highlighting key similarities and differences between the brands in general, and specific side-by-side comparisons of six popular, comparable models. But for the quickest answer to the question of Smartwool vs Darn Tough socks, we offer the following shortcut:
- Choose Darn Tough Socks over Smartwool for a slimmer fit and legitimate lifetime warranty
- Choose Smartwool Socks over Darn Tough for a wider fit and slightly thicker construction
While you’re here, don’t miss our complete guides to the best hiking socks and the best trail running shoes. You make Adventure Alan & Co possible. When purchasing through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Here’s why you can trust us.
Key Similarities & Differences Between Darn Tough vs Smartwool Socks
When comparing Darn Tough vs Smartwool Socks, many more similarities emerge than differences. This bulleted list overviews brand-wide trends. You can find even deeper comparisons in our model-by-model breakdowns in later sections of this article.
Key Differences
- Darn Tough Socks come with a lifetime warranty
- Smartwool socks are 10-20% heavier and thicker than Darn Tough socks of comparable weight/cushion/sport designation
- Darn Tough socks have a slightly narrower fit than comparable Smartwool Socks; Smartwool socks are slightly wider around the heel, mid, forefoot, and calf
- Smartwool socks are constructed in part with recycled nylon, and have the sustainability edge at time of publication
Key Similarities
- Top tier quality, performance, comfort, and materials
- Made in the USA
- Exact same pricing for comparable socks
- Comparable models have nearly identical blends of merino, nylon, and elastane
- Flat seam construction at toe box
- Secure ankle and calf fit that always stays up
- Performance fit around midfoot via compression panels prevents bunching
- Use of comfortable, targeted terry-loop cushioning on underfoot
- Arch compression panel
- Mesh panel uppers for breathability
- Moisture wicking and quick drying
- Durability enhancements at heel and toe box
- Available in a wide array of heights and colorways
- Gender-specific sizing
| Sock | Materials | Price ($) |
Weight (oz)
|
| Darn Tough Light Hiker Light Cushion | 54% Nylon, 43% Merino, 3% Lycra | 24 | 1.1 |
| Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion | 56% Merino, 42% Nylon, 2% Elastane | 24 | 1.3 |
| Darn Tough Run Ultralightweight Cushion | 55% Merino, 42% Nylon, 3% Lycra | 22 | 0.8 |
| Smartwool Run Targeted Cushion | 54% Merino, 41% Nylon, 3% Elastane | 22 | 1.0 |
| Darn Tough Run Ultralightweight | 48% Merino, 47% Nylon, 5% Lycra | 21 | 0.7 |
| Smartwool Run Zero Cushion | 49% Merino, 47% Nylon, 4% Elastane | 21 | 0.8 |
Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion Vs Darn Tough Light Hiker Light Cushion
For traditional hiking socks, we recommend choosing between the Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion (pictured above in blue) and the Darn Tough Light Hiker Light Cushion (pictured above in gray). While both brands offer even warmer, thicker, heavier, and more cushioned models, we believe they are overkill for 99% of hiking endeavors from spring through fall, and you should stick with the lighter weight socks to prevent your feet from overheating. Both models excel on the trail, but each have pros and cons compared to the other.
The Smartwool light hiker is thicker, heavier, warmer, wider-fitting, uses more recycled materials, and has more cushion than the Darn Toughs. The Darn Tough Light Hiker is thinner, softer, cooler, lighter, tighter-fitting, has a bit less cushion, and is guaranteed for life.
Both models have breathable uppers with compression panels that ensure a secure fit. While the chevron and x-patterning of the Smartwool appears to be fancier, our testing indicates that both socks offer an equally secure fit that never bunches and stays put while hiking.
- Choose the Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion over the Darn Tough
- To pair with boots
- For cooler weather
- If you have wide feet
- If you prefer a more cushioned sock
- If you want the more sustainable option
- Choose the Darn Tough Light Hiker Light Cushion over the Smartwool
- To pair with shoes
- For moderate or warmer weather
- If you have narrower feet
- If you prefer a softer sock
- If you intend to take advantage of the warranty years later
- Editor’s Choice
- Darn Tough Light Hiker Light Cushion We do nearly all of our hiking in trail running shoes and rarely ever wear boots. The Darn Toughs are better suited to trail running shoes so that is an easy choice. The amount of thickness and cushion on the Smartwools would be unnecessary for running shoes, given that trail runners are so comfortable to begin with.
Smartwool Run Targeted Cushion Vs Darn Tough Ultralightweight Cushion
For all-purpose running socks, or for socks to pair with trail running shoes for hiking, we recommend choosing between the Darn Tough Run Ultralightweight Cushion Socks (pictured above in white) and the Smartwool Run Targeted Cushion Socks (pictured above in orange). These are both daily-driver socks; true crowd pleasers that offer something to everyone with near universal appeal.
Both of these socks are lightweight, breathable, and perfectly suited to running shoes or light-duty boots. They exhibit the primary traits of their brand. That is, the Smartwool is a bit heavier and a bit wider, whereas the Darn Tough is a bit narrower and lighter. The crux of choosing between these two socks is in the cushioning architecture. The Smartwool have targeted cushion that surrounds the heel and forefoot offering slightly enhanced/thicker protection in those regions, whereas the Darn Tough has continuous cushioning that runs from forefoot to heel, including underneath the arch.
Choose the Darn Tough Run Ultralightweight Cushion over the Smartwool
- If you get blisters underneath the mid-foot
- If you have narrower feet
- If you intend to take advantage of the warranty
Choose the Smartwool Run Targeted Cushion vs the Darn Tough
- If you want more cushion around the toes and heel
- If you have a wider foot
- If you prefer the more sustainable option
Editor’s Choice
- Darn Tough Run Ultralightweight Cushion Both socks are excellent, but the transition point in between the two sections of targeted cushion on the midfoot of the Smartwools was noticeable and marginally less comfortable the full underfoot coverage of the Darn Toughs.
Smartwool Run Zero Cushion Vs Darn Tough Ultralightweight
For warm-to-hot weather movement when minimizing sweat is important; for an extremely accurate and secure fit; or for pairing with exceptionally comfortable shoes that never rub you or cause blisters, choose an ultralight, un-cushioned sock like the Smartwool Run Zero Cushion (pictured above in light blue) or the Darn Tough Run Ultralightweight (pictured above in dark blue).
Both of these socks are quite thin, which is perfect for running or hiking on a hot summer day. The key difference between them is that the Darn Tough is even thinner than the Smartwool. While neither are cushioned, the durability reinforcements under the Smartwool give an impression of minimalist cushion that Darn Tough does not.
- Choose Darn Tough Run Ultralightweight over the Smartwool
- For the thinnest possible sock
- If you have narrower feet
- If you intend to take advantage of the warranty
- Choose the Smartwool Run Zero Cushion over the Darn Tough
- For a thin-not-too-thin sock
- If you like that the reinforced underfoot material acts as a bit of pseudo-cushion
- If you have a wider foot
- If you prefer the more sustainable option
- Editor’s Choice
- Smartwool Run Zero Cushion Between these two socks, we found the Darn Tough model was a bit too thin for our tastes, and that hiking and running in the Smartwool was comfier by virtue of simply having a bit more of a buffer between foot and insole.
Smartwool vs Darn Tough Socks Conclusion
We reiterate one last time, both Smartwool Socks and Darn Tough Socks are comfortable, durable, well-fitting, and all-around excellent for activities like hiking, running, travel, and athleisure. They even make great dress socks! On the whole, these brands are each other’s equal in virtually every way. Nonetheless, there are some differences between comparable models, as well as in regard to overall design philosophy that plays out across brand-wide trends. In general, that could be summarized by stating that Smartwool socks are slightly thicker, heavier, and wider, while Darn Tough socks are slightly narrower, lighter, cooler, and come with a lifetime warranty.
Both socks make regular appearances in our exercise rotation and we encourage you to think not of Darn Tough vs Smartwool socks, but rather, Darn Tough AND Smartwool socks. Happy running, happy hiking, happy trails, and please drop us a line if you have any questions!
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