Where Are Darn Tough Socks Made?

If you love buying “Made in USA” items as much as I do, you’re probably familiar with the brand Darn Tough Socks. They make socks that supposedly don’t stink and are famous for their lifetime guarantee. But where are Darn Tough Socks made?

Darn Tough socks are made in Vermont, USA, by a family-owned company that’s been knitting the best quality socks for over three decades—and backs them with a lifetime guarantee.

For three generations, the commitment and passion of a Vermont family have been passed down in the form of durable, comfortable, and best-fitting socks. From designing, manufacturing, and selling high-quality Darn Tough socks, to promoting them with a lifetime guarantee, this family has created a product that is interesting in itself. But there is more to share. Keep reading.

What are Darn Tough Socks Made Of?

Darn Tough socks have a long history of standing up to the test of time. The Vermont-based company uses various materials in its socks, including recycled nylon, spandex, and polyester. But the real key to Darn Tough socks’ durability is Merino wool.

Merino wool comes from a type of sheep and is known for being soft and breathable. That makes it perfect for socks — especially when blended with other materials like nylon or spandex.

To learn even more about the composition of Darn Tough socks, read on.

Merino Wool

Darn Tough socks are made from Merino wool, an animal-friendly fiber that wicks away moisture, keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, is durable and odor-resistant, and renewable. Darn Tough has long been a proponent of Merino wool, prioritizing its high-quality and eco-conscious farming practices.

Since 2018, Darn Tough has gone above and beyond to ensure their Merino wool meets the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS). This means that the brand follows a set of strict protocols to protect the welfare of the sheep and adheres to progressive and sustainable farming.

Recycled Nylon

Darn Tough uses REPREVE® recycled nylon fibers to make its socks. On a normal day, those fibers would have been dumped in landfills and contributed to the emission of greenhouse gases. Then, textile brands like Darn Tough would have had to produce virgin nylon fibers using crude oil, benzene, cyclohexane, and other harmful hydrocarbons. You know what comes next, yes? Waste, waste, and more waste, all of which will backfire on our planet in the nearest future.

By using recycled nylons instead of virgin ones, Darn Tough socks help conserve energy and water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Spandex/ Elastane

Darn Tough uses LYCRA® spandex to give the elasticity and strength of the socks. There’s only about 5% spandex in Darn Tough socks, though, so it’s not like they’re made entirely of spandex. Unfortunately, the company can’t utilize recycled spandex because it doesn’t have the same properties as the virgin variety derived from petroleum.

Polyester

Some Darn Tough socks are made from Coolmax® and Thermolite® polyester fibers, with just a trace of nylon and elastane. These revolutionary fibers provide you with the same top-notch performance, moisture-wicking, and comfort as Merino wool socks.

In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Darn Tough employs only 2.5% virgin polyester in the production of non-Merino wool socks.

Are Darn Tough Socks Wool?

Most Darn Tough socks are made of a blend of 100% low-micron Merino wool and synthetic fibers.

Some Darn Tough socks are made with only synthetic fibers, including spandex, nylon, and polyester. These artificial fibers are added to the sock for a soft touch, long life, and a snug fit.

When Darn Tough does use Merino wool in sock production, it combines smaller quantities of nylon and LYCRA®.

Merino wool is the most moisture-wicking of all-natural fibers, so it’s well suited to all weather conditions. However, pure Merino wool socks may not hold up well in high-stress areas like the heel and toe. To combat this issue, Darn Tough adds LYCRA® and nylon to make the socks more resistant to wear and tear. The wool/LYCRA®/spandex blend is stronger and more durable yet retains the Merino wool’s ability to wick away moisture.

You’d think the wool in a pair of socks would be exempt from scrutiny—but the folks at Darn Tough ensure that only the Merino wool sourced from non-mulesed sheep makes it to their factories.

In the end, Merino wool is the perfect material for socks because it doesn’t shrink, doesn’t stretch out of shape, and feels great against your skin. It’s breathable, so moisture from your feet evaporates through the fabric. And it has natural antimicrobial properties that help prevent bacterial growth that causes odors.

Are Darn Tough Socks Made in the USA?

Darn Tough socks are made in Northfield, Vermont. Since 2004, the Cabot family has been running this business with a single goal: to knit the best socks for everyone.

Cabot Hosiery Mills Inc., located at Whetstone Drive in Northfield, is responsible for manufacturing Darn Tough socks.

Northfield is not just a leading producer of socks. It’s a leading producer of outstanding socks. You can spend your paychecks anywhere, but you want to spend them on the best.

Where are Darn Tough Socks Located?

Darn Tough, located at 364 Whetstone Drive, Northfield, Vermont 05663, is a division of Cabot Hosiery Mills Inc.

The company may be based in Northfield, Vermont, but you can buy these socks and have them shipped to your door—even if you live on the other side of the world. To ensure that you get genuine Darn Tough socks, consider purchasing them from one of the following online retailers:

Takeaways

Darn Tough is situated at 364 Whetstone Drive, Northfield, Vermont 05663. Cabot Hosiery Mills Inc. (Cabot) owns and operates the manufacturing facility where Darn Tough socks are made.

Most Darn Tough socks are made of the perfect blend of sustainable fibers: Merino wool, recycled nylon, and virgin spandex. However, the percentage of wool used in the socks is usually much higher than those of the other materials. You can purchase these socks via authorized Amazon stores or the Darn Tough website.