Darn Tough or Silverlight Hiking Socks? Who wins?
For years Darn Tough socks have been the top choice of many hikers and backpackers. And thru hikers love them because of the life-time unconditional guarantee. Return them any time for any reason; they’ll send you a replacement pair for free.
They are indeed “darn tough”. I’ve had a pair for a number of years. Even at a cost of around $26 a pair, most hikers would agree that they are worth it. They are made of high quality merino wool and nylon. These socks could be the last pair of hiking socks you’ll every buy.
Who can compete with this?
Have you looked into Silverlight hiking socks?
Silverlight socks are a bit more pricey. If you buy only one pair, they’ll run you $34. They have a discounted price for multiple pairs; around the same price as Darn Tough socks if you buy 5 pair.
Silverlight has a comparable guarantee. But there are a couple differences that may get some attention. They are dual layer compression socks. We all know the benefit to improved circulation and reduced inflammation with compression socks. With less inflammation, your feet should feel less achy at the end of your hiking day with these socks as compared to other non-compression socks on the market.
The inner layer contains moisture-wicking merino wool and the outer layer is made of nylon, silver thread, and spandex. Why silver? Silver kills bacteria; it’s an antimicrobial. I was in a military supply store recently, they too have wool combat socks that contain silver thread. One would need to ask: if it’s what soldiers in combat wear, surely it would stand up to what hikers do – right?
Of course, we know that bacteria is what causes foot odor. And so it would stand to reason that socks with bacteria-fighting silver thread should last much longer than other hiking socks before they start to smell up your tent.
To test this, I wore Silverlight socks during my daily treadmill workout. I used the same pair without washing them for over a month; they still didn’t smell.
Another interesting factor is that most socks are designed with a block shaped toe box, or maybe a little rounded on the corners. But, our toe box is not shaped like that. Silverlight has designed their socks to fit the contour of our toes; longer on the big toe side and shorter on the pinky toe side. Each sock is marked with an L or an R to help ensure the user knows to which foot the sock is designed to fit. One would think that socks that are shaped more like feet would fit better and not get crunched up on one side of the toe box. Indeed, I’ve never had a Silverlight sock fold over or crunch up on one side; they fit snug and contour my toes perfectly.
I’ve had several pair of Silverlight for a few years now. I’ve returned one pair because I didn’t trim one of my toenails and it wore a hole in the sock after a long down-hill-day. But, other than that, these socks are breaking the mold in the sock industry and have a lot going for them.
Are they tougher than Darn Tough? I would say, referring to my toenail issue, that Darn Tough takes that category. But for those looking to reduce odor and gain benefit from the compression design of Silverlight that these socks my have the upper edge.
Other than the silver thread difference, which is significant, the materials are very similar. The construct between the two, has some variations, but neither are convincing enough to be a clear winner in that category.
Darn Tough are made in Vermont, USA; whereas, Silverlight are made in China. This may be a deciding factor for some people. But the quality of construction between the two is negligible.
The race for taking the best sock trophy may come down to personal preference. So, you decide. I think you’ll win with either choice.
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