Darn Tough vs Bridgedale hiking socks: 3 things I learned in the Scottish Highlands

Whether you're heading up a mountain or walking the dog, comfortable and supportive hiking socks are crucial. 

For the first time, we've put top hiking sock brands to the test, including Darn Tough, Bridgedale, Smartwool, Injinji and more. We subject all the socks to objective testing, measuring fabric strength, breathability, and drying speed, before taking them out on the trails. 

That said, two titans dominate the hiking socks market: Darn Tough, from Vermont, USA, and Bridgedale, from Newtownards, Northern Ireland.

Both brands have lifetime guarantees, boast proud heritages and continue to make their socks in the original factories. To see which reigns supreme, we put two pairs head to head:

• Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Socks
• Bridgedale Hike Midweight Merino Performance Boot

To find out if both brands really live up to the hype, I hitched a lift up to the Scottish Highlands, while colleagues headed to the Peak District and South Downs. Joined by a few recruited friends (bribed by the promise of beer afterwards), we assessed the fit, comfort and support each pair provided on a hike in the Highlands. 

Here's what we learnt.

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1. A contoured fit is crucial

After a slapdash breakfast, a shortish drive, a Bridgedale on one foot and a Darn Tough on the other, we set off to conquer a Munro. The Munro in question was Sgòr Gaoith (from Glen Feshie). Our mission: a 14km hike with a 913 metre ascent, estimated to take six to seven hours.

The walk began leisurely, with the path from the car park gently sloping through a birch copse. Undergrowth crunched as we trudged through the forest; our nattering discordant with the twittering of birds. Before long, the footpath started to climb, cleaving through a hillside littered with pinewood and heather. At this point, I'm starting to sweat.

Fortunately, getting ready at the car had been effortless – neither sock was a struggle to pull on. 

The Bridgedale varies in tension, featuring both snug and looser zones. Around the heel and tongue, the fit is ever so slightly tighter than around the leg. This deliberate slackness makes donning the sock a breeze without compromising on support. Once on it hugs the foot perfectly.

By contrast, the Darn Tough offers a more compressed fit. This makes pulling it on a bit trickier than the Bridgedale – it doesn't slide on in one smooth motion and requires a few firm tugs. That said, it's by no means difficult to put on, and like the Bridgedale, it fits fantastically once in place.

Both socks are superbly contoured, cinching and giving exactly where needed. This is essential in a hiking sock: a poor fit will cause friction, leading to irritation, bunching and rubbing (as we experienced with some of the other socks we tested). When buying hiking footwear, always look for form-fitting socks. 

As we left the pines behind, some reindeer pointed us towards the steep climb ahead. 

2. Merino wool doesn't matter as much as you think

In my fatigue-induced delirium, I'd hoped that the footpath would consistently go upwards. It didn't. The path went up and down, up and down – like a jittery stock market ticker. The midges were incessant, too, and seemed particularly fond of my ears. As we were bent over for a breather, a runner, who must have been part mountain goat, sped past us unfazed.

Four hours in, my feet (unsurprisingly) were feeling tender. 

My right foot felt a little less achy thanks to the extra cushioning on the Bridgedale hiking sock. There isn't quite as much padding on the Darn Tough one with its marginally thinner, lighter fabric but, as a result, my left foot stayed cooler and less sweaty.

There's a lot of noise about Merino wool and much of it justified: it's naturally breathable and moisture-wicking. But it isn't the be-all and end-all when it comes to hiking socks.

Mid-hike, both socks are holding up well despite radically different compositions: the Darn Tough is 61% Merino wool, whereas the Bridgedale contains just 18%. In reality, the overall fabric blend matters far more than the headline Merino percentage. Some of the worst socks we tested were rich in Merino, so don't buy based on wool content alone.

As we approached the peak, my calves ablaze, I was grateful that both socks remained comfortable without a hint of heel rubbing. 

At the first hospitable rock on the summit, we sat. The view was spectacular. 

3. It's important to look for localised support

After a quick pit stop at the top where we ate our lunch and the midges ate us, we headed back down.

Here, we realised that the map had lied to us. There was supposed to be a distinct, clear path looping back to the start, but it was nowhere to be found. Other lost travellers congregated around a cairn, trying to determine the safest route off the mountain. Someone bravely set off and we followed. 

It's on the descent that the risk of injury is at its peak. When you're weary and your limbs go slack, it's easy for an ankle or knee to twist in ways they shouldn't.

A high-quality hiking sock can help avoid this. Look for dense, localised stitching on the sole and ankle – the most vulnerable parts of the foot. This added density helps keep your foot stabilised inside the shoe. If you're shopping in-store, you can easily feel where the fabric has been reinforced.

Don't fall for the 'thicker-is-better' myth, though. In our testing, we weren't impressed by general 'bulk'. It serves no purpose and often left our feet overheating, with little added support. 

Both Darn Tough and Bridgedale use targeted stitching, but they take different approaches. The Bridgedale’s reinforcement is obvious, featuring distinctly coarse, rigid bands across the heel and tongue. The Darn Tough is far more subtle – rather than using starkly different textures, it relies on tighter, more compact knitting in high-wear zones.

As gravity took a toll on my knees during the descent, I was glad for the support and stability both socks provided. 

Legs tired, we dragged ourselves back to the car, absolutely knackered, eager for the pub lunch that awaited.

The hiking socks we recommend

Battling mountains and midges, I've learnt a lot about hiking socks. They often seem like an afterthought, but they're critical.

You shouldn't be distracted by sore feet when you should be enjoying the scenery. Unfortunately, that was the case with the worst socks we tested, where every stone underfoot, every slip inside the boot and every sweaty toe made hiking miserable. 

By contrast, the best socks let you revel in the view, offering reliable support, preventing rubbing and keeping your feet sweat-free.

While Darn Tough and Bridgedale are the most popular brands, we tested a range of socks from other makers. We uncovered two Best Buys and a Great Value recommendation. Head over to our best hiking socks page to find out whether Darn Tough and Bridgedale were among them.