Smartwool

Darn Tough vs Smartwool — the sock is similar, the promise is not

Two American merino names, near-identical prices, and two promises that could hardly differ more: one maker replaces a sock you wore through, for life, with no receipt; the other's guarantee ends at two years and asks for the paper. We read both guarantee pages closely — what is covered, what the claim costs you, what comes back — and judge the promise rather than the knit, which is the one thing a buyer can verify before wearing either.

• ·worn and carried
• ·merino wool
• ·wool socks
• ·Darn Tough

• Durable
• Honest
• Deep