Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Darn Tough socks are the best socks I have owned. Darn Tough vs. Smart Wool: After a winter's worth of wearing a pair of Smart Wool socks (with my Frye boots), the Smart Wool socks were worn thin on the heel and, to a lesser extent, the sole. I literally wore them out. Darn Tough vs. Kirkland: I bough a pair of wool boot socks (Kirkland, which is Costco's store brand) and these held up very well over the course of a winter. They started to wear thin in the heel, but nothing drastic. My Darn Tough socks have been 1/2 through a winter and still seem to be the same as they were when I got them. What really seems to put Darn Tough over the top (vs the Kirkland) is the 100% guarantee they give you. In addition, I have a pair of Darn Tough running socks that I wear everyday (and run 3.5 miles in, everyday) and they are like-new after over a year's use. I expect these Darn Tough socks to perform roughly the same. Overall, I'd give Smart Wool (on a 10 point scale) a 5, the Kirkland a 8.5 and the Darn Tough a 9. UPDATE (Dec. 18, 2016): The Kirkland socks are still fine, however the elastic toward the top of the socks is starting to loosen and the elastic part of the socks don't seem as stretchy as they were when new. The Darn Tough socks are still going strong. There is some wear, but nothing alarming. Given that I wear them so often, it is really amazing that they are in such good shape. If I had to re-rank, I'd go: Smart Wool 5, Kirkland 8, Darn Tough 9.5.