Darn Tough Over-the-Calf Heavyweight Hunting Socks Review

There are socks, and then there are Darn Tough socks.

I appreciate that reviewing a pair of socks sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry in a drizzle, but hear me out. When you spend a lot of time wandering around muddy fields, climbing in and out of 4x4s, opening gates, standing around at outdoor events or generally doing things where dry, warm feet are preferable to cold, soggy ones, a decent pair of socks matters.

In the past few weeks up here in the northwest, the temperature has plummeted and drizzle has become the new normal, and if I’m honest, I’ve felt a little excited to reach for my new pair of Darn Tough socks.

I've been wearing Darn Tough socks for many years. Apart from the socks I occasionally wear with normal shoes when I’m fulfilling my ‘proper’ job, pretty much every sock drawer-based decision I make involves Darn Tough. So when the opportunity came to try the Over-the-Calf Heavyweight Hunting Socks, I already knew roughly what to expect.

These are, however, a rather more serious sock. And by serious, I mean you could probably use one as a tow strap in an emergency. (Please don’t do that!)

The Over-the-Calf Heavyweight is Darn Tough's warmest, thickest hunting sock, using a full-cushion terry construction throughout the foot and leg. They're designed to sit just below the knee and are intended for cold-weather use with hunting boots, muck boots and waders.

For the sort of outdoor abuse I'm likely to throw at them, that makes them rather interesting.

Warm without being ridiculous

Darn Tough says the construction is designed to provide maximum warmth while still regulating temperature and moving moisture away from the foot. And that is important because keeping your feet warm isn't simply about wrapping them in as much wool as physically possible.

Merino wool is rather clever stuff. It helps regulate temperature, wicks moisture away from your skin and is naturally resistant to odour. That makes a difference when you're spending hours outside, particularly when you're wearing waterproof or rubber boots that aren't exactly renowned for their ventilation.

I've found these particularly good for colder days when you're not necessarily moving constantly. Green laning is a perfect example: drive, stop, get out, open gate, walk around, get back in, drive some more, get out again.

Basically, a sophisticated form of repeatedly getting muddy.

They're properly comfortable

Despite their bulk, the socks don't feel clumsy once they're on.

The fit is snug without feeling restrictive, and the over-the-calf design means they stay where they're supposed to rather than gradually migrating south towards your ankles.

That's one of those things you don't really appreciate until you've worn a pair of socks that spends the day attempting to escape down the inside of your boot. Darn Tough socks have never done that.

Darn Tough also uses its True Seamless Toe construction, which removes the usual prominent seam across the toes. It's a small detail, but when you're wearing thick socks for hours, small details become considerably less small.

And then there's the elephant in the sock drawer...

They're not cheap. That needs saying.

Depending on where you buy them, Darn Tough socks can look rather expensive compared with a £10 pair from the outdoor section of your local shop. But I've never regarded them as disposable socks.

I've been buying and wearing Darn Tough for years precisely because they last. You're paying more at the beginning, but you're buying something designed to survive considerably more abuse than the average sock.

And then there's the rather unusual guarantee.

Darn Tough's socks are unconditionally guaranteed for life.

If they wear out, develop holes, become threadbare, start slipping or otherwise fail to do the job, Darn Tough says you can return them for a replacement. There isn't even a requirement for a receipt

I have a friend who lives in the Highlands of Scotland, and ever so often he’ll return a collection of worn Darn Tough socks, and within a month a new collection of replacement socks arrive on his doorstep.

In other words, you really can wear them until you've finally defeated them, then send the battered survivors back and get another pair. That's quite a commitment from a sock manufacturer.

The Mud Life verdict

I've already established that I'm a long-term Darn Tough wearer, so perhaps I'm not the most neutral person to review these.

But there's a reason I've continued wearing them for years. They're comfortable, stay up, keep your feet warm, deal well with moisture and feel like they'll happily tolerate years of being shoved into outdoor boots and subjected to the usual abuse.

They're particularly well suited to winter green laning, camping, shooting, working outdoors, hiking, mucking about in fields or standing around at events wondering where you've parked the 4x4. I’ve even been known to wear them around the house during winter when the boilers been on the blink.

Yes they’re expensive socks, but they're also socks that come with a genuine lifetime guarantee. And if you've ever bought cheap socks repeatedly because they're cheap, perhaps it's time to stop buying cheap socks repeatedly.

Buy Darn Tough socks once.

Wear them to death.

Send them back.

Repeat.

Now that's what I call a sustainable relationship.

Website: Over-the-Calf Heavyweight Hunting Socks
Price: £39.00