Darn Tough and Bombas socks are put to the test in challenging trail conditions. Which sock brand will emerge as the winner in this head-to-head competition?
Choosing the right hiking socks can make or break your trail experience. We all know the discomfort of blisters, chafing, or socks that just won’t stay put. For years, Bombas has been a go-to brand for many seeking comfortable and reliable socks, known for their quality and social mission. But are there truly Socks Comparable To Bombas, especially when you need them to perform under pressure on the trail?
When a friend introduced me to Darn Tough hiking socks, I knew a real-world comparison was in order. Putting Darn Tough head-to-head against my beloved Bombas, I embarked on a two-day hike along Japan’s historic Kumano Kodo Trail (discover more about hiking the Kumano Kodo here). This wasn’t just a casual stroll; we faced sun, rain, mud, and a thorough soaking – the perfect “real trail conditions” to test these premium socks.
So, are Bombas socks really worth the hype? Are Darn Tough socks a better choice for serious hikers? Both brands come with premium price tags, making the decision even more important. Having already reviewed Bombas after five years of wear (read my detailed Bombas sock review here), I was ready to see if Darn Tough could dethrone my long-standing favorite, or if Bombas would remain the champion. Let’s dive into this sock showdown.
One-Year Wear Test: The Contenders
New socks are always a treat, but the true test of quality comes with time and use. For this comparison, both pairs of socks were approximately one year old, ensuring a fair assessment of their durability and performance after regular wear. My Bombas socks were from my personal collection, while the Darn Tough pair was generously provided by a friend, both having experienced similar levels of use.
The Bombas in this test were the women’s calf socks, a versatile everyday sock. Facing off against them was the Darn Tough Bear Town Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock, specifically designed for hiking. It’s worth noting that Bombas also offers women’s hiking socks which I personally love and own. However, to keep the comparison focused on socks with comparable wear, I opted for my year-old Bombas calf socks against the year-old Darn Tough hiking socks. The question remained: Would Darn Tough prove to be superior to Bombas in hiking conditions, or would Bombas hold its own against a dedicated hiking sock?
The Darn Tough hiking sock, showcasing its fine knit and durable construction.
The Bombas calf sock, displaying its signature honeycomb arch support and comfortable fit.
Close-up of the Bombas arch support, highlighting its unique design for a snug fit.
The Bombas heel, engineered for cushioning and to prevent slippage.
Darn Tough arch support, designed for performance and a secure fit.
The Darn Tough heel, reinforced for durability and long-lasting wear.
Darn Tough toe box, tapered to conform to the natural shape of your foot.
The Bombas toe box, designed for comfort and a secure, non-binding fit.
As a quick update, I recently completed the Camino Frances hike wearing the new Cotopaxi x Bombas Merino Wool Blend hiking socks, and they were phenomenal! Their performance exceeded even my expectations from the standard Bombas socks used in Japan. I highly recommend checking them out. You can see these fantastic socks in action below.
Trail Testing Ground: Kumano Kodo
The Kumano Kodo is a serious hiking trail. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and sister trail to the famous Camino de Santiago, the Kumano Kodo in Japan is a challenging path that attracts pilgrims to Buddhist and Confucian shrines across approximately 50 kilometers of Japan’s southwest peninsula.
While shorter than the various Camino routes in Spain, the Kumano Kodo is arguably more rugged and less crowded. Its ancient, jagged stone and root-filled trails can challenge even seasoned hikers. Our first 20 kilometers were in relentless rain and mud. For eight hours, we hiked uphill in a downpour, thoroughly testing my rain gear, waterproof Hoka trail boots, and bucket hat. The second day brought a welcome change – bright sunshine and drying trails, offering a beautiful downhill hike through serene Japanese Cedar forests for another 20 kilometers. These varied conditions provided the ideal testing ground to compare socks comparable to Bombas and Darn Tough.
Gear Lineup for the Hike
My gear setup remained consistent over both days, with the only change being the socks. Here’s a rundown of my hiking ensemble:
Top: Lightweight Thai t-shirt
Mid-layer: Decathlon zippered hoodie
Bottom: Skirt Sports Capri Skort
Outerwear (Day 1): Full-length rain slicker (purchased locally, not used on Day 2)
Socks: Day 1 – Bombas, Day 2 – Darn Tough
Footwear: Hoka Sky Toa GTX Women’s Hiking Shoe
Headwear: Bucket hat with ponytail opening
Backpack: Quechua waterproof 20-liter backpack
Head-to-Toe Comparison: Bombas and Darn Tough Performance
Both sock brands, despite being a year old, performed admirably. They maintained a snug fit, stayed in place throughout the hikes, handled diverse trail conditions effectively, and provided all-day comfort. The distinctions emerged when examining the finer details of their performance. Let’s break down the comparison point by point:
Overall Comfort and Feel: Equal. Both socks offered a comfortable feel throughout the day, with no immediate winner in terms of general comfort.
Heel: Equal. Both brands provided adequate heel cushioning and stability. Neither sock slipped or caused any heel-related discomfort.
Arch Support Dynamics: Bombas edged out Darn Tough in arch support. Bombas’ signature honeycomb arch design maintained its supportive fit consistently, even when the sock tops became damp from rain. The sock bottoms remained dry thanks to my waterproof hiking boots. Darn Tough’s arch support shifted slightly during the day, but not enough to cause significant discomfort.
Toe Box Design and Fit: Bombas was the clear winner in the toe box category. The Bombas toe box remained snug and secure around both my pinky and big toes throughout the hike. In contrast, the Darn Tough toe box, while tapered, seemed to stretch and bulge outwards, particularly around my big toes. Despite Darn Tough’s tapered design, it didn’t maintain a true-to-toe fit as effectively as the Bombas. (Refer to the toe box images above for visual comparison).
Material Composition and Performance: Bombas utilizes extra-long stable cotton (67% Supima® Cotton, 29% Polyester, 4% Elastane). This cotton blend held its shape well, even when damp. As someone with vegan preferences, I appreciated the non-animal material. Darn Tough’s material blend (54% Nylon, 43% Merino Wool, 3% Lycra Spandex) performed adequately, although I personally have a mild allergy to merino wool. Thankfully, I experienced no allergic reaction during this test.
Brand Mission and Values: Both brands have commendable aspects. Darn Tough is a smaller company (though larger than Bombas) striving to compete with industry giants. Bombas, also a smaller company, stands out with its impactful “one-for-one” donation model, donating a pair of socks to individuals experiencing homelessness for every pair purchased. For me, Bombas wins in terms of mission due to this direct social impact.
The Verdict: And the Winner Is…
Ultimately, while the Darn Tough socks (free shipping available) boasted a charming bear design (who can resist a cute sock?), Bombas emerged as the slightly better performer in this comparison. Bombas socks performed exceptionally well, especially considering they excelled in harsher conditions – a full day of rain versus Darn Tough’s day in the sun.
For my needs and preferences, I’ll continue to rely on my Bombas socks. Bonus: they are often more budget-friendly! Use this link for a discount on your first Bombas purchase. For wet weather hiking, Bombas hiking socks are definitely a top choice, proving themselves as excellent socks comparable to Bombas in terms of performance and value.
More Hiking Gear Insights
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Chris Englert
Chris Englert, known as the Walking Traveler, believes in the power of walking as a foundation for life. With wanderlust in her heart since childhood, she has explored all 50 US states and 62 countries. Chris passionately shares her love for walking and travel through blogs, books, and engaging presentations. As a natural storyteller, she invites you to join her explorations of the world, one walk at a time.
Currently, Chris and her husband, Steve, embrace a nomadic lifestyle, traveling the world full-time with just their carry-on luggage since May 2021.
