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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Darn Tough Vermont Socks Review & Giveaway

The folks at Darn Tough Vermont recently gave me the opportunity to review some of their run-bike socks.

Visit them online at: http://www.darntough.com/

I have been using strictly Under Armour socks since I started running in 2005. My socks have been worn right through to the point that they are see through. I have had about 10 pairs that I've rotated over that time and still have some of my original pairs! Can we say -- time for the garbage can?!

What I look for in a sock:

- My pet peeve with socks is that I don't like them to move, slide-down or rub. I hate nothing more than leaving for a run and my sock needs to be adjusted or my shoe needs to be tied. What a way to start off a run?!?

- I prefer low-cut socks, but not so low that they are "no-shows".

- I also prefer a little padding, but not bulkiness.

- I like my feet to be able to breathe a little bit and don't want them to get overheated or soaked.

So ... they sent me the Run-Bike 1/4 Sock + Cushion in Merino Wool to try out.

I wore these socks out on my "expected 5K loop" with Little Dude the other day. This is the run where I pushed him around in the cute pushable car! I felt so good, even after running a 13 mile training run the day before, and we went two extra miles in my new, spiffy socks!!

I wear a women's size 10 which puts me in the middle in between sizes. I was given both a size Medium and a size Large socks to try. I've tried both now and both seem to fit well. I do prefer the size Medium slightly, only because there is less bulk, as they are smaller. Their grid says I should probably wear a Large.

With other socks, I've been getting blisters on the outside of my big toes, from rubbing (obviously!). That's always my "hot spot". Blisters have been healing and then I'll get another one underneath the old one. It's been an icky process this Spring with my marathon training. With the Darn Tough Vermont socks, I felt no movement or rubbing and my feet actually feel much better and less sore than they were (after my runs). I don't know if this is from the socks or because my feet are getting use to all of the trauma I'm putting them through?! The packaging state that there is a zero-friction heel, that includes a deep heel pocket that eliminates blisters and hot spots. I also experienced the mid-foot support, no slipping and no bunching, as it mentions on the packaging.

I was a little curious about the merino wool fabric, wondering how they'd feel. I automatically thought of fuzzy animals and hot steamy feet!! But they were awesome and SUPER COMFY! They only use 100% fine guage Merino wool for highly breathable, itch free, next-to-skin comfort. Merino wool apparently naturally regulates temperature, keeping you cool when it's hot and warm when it's chilly. It's fast drying and naturally antimicrobial.

If you'd like to give them a try, they offer an unconditional lifetime guarantee! Return them for your money back!

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THREE LUCKY WINNERS
will have a chance to WIN A PAIR OF DARN TOUGH VERMONTH SOCKS!!!!

1 - Become a follower of my blog or already are?! LEAVE ME A COMMENT

2 - Visit Darn Tough Vermont online and tell me what you're interested in. LEAVE ME A COMMENT


4 - Post about this giveaway on your blog, Facebook or Twitter account. LEAVE ME A COMMENT FOR EACH

Enter now through Sunday, May 9th.
Winners will be announced on Monday.

74 comments:

  1. I'm a follower of your great blog as well.

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  2. definately the no show socks they look great!

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  3. I'm a follower!!!

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  4. I love the no show mesh socks!!

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  5. I also thought some of their socks in the women's collection were super cute.

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  6. posting on my blog post for tomorrow!!

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  7. I think the 1/4 cushion merino's sound great.

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  8. I'm a follower! Who could use some nice socks!

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  9. I like the 1/4 sock - gotta show some tanlines. Definitely the mesh in either colour, although white is not really a colour is it? I do like the colours of other socks, but I prefer the 1/4 mesh design.

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  10. Think I would like the no-show mesh cool max socks. I like them thin in the summer.

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  11. I like the

    No-Show Mesh womens in Cool Max.

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  12. I like the micro crew hiking socks - they look comfy, and I like that they have the elastic arch support.

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  13. I linked you to my sidebar

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  14. I like the "no show" mesh socks. No tan lines, and would be great with my racing flats!

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  15. I'm a follower...I will try anything to not go through this blister thing that keeps happening to me.

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  16. I like the no show coolmax socks!

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  17. I'm already a follower of your blog, always interested in trying new socks!

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  18. I love the no show socks, and all of the color choices they have are awesome! I really, really, really need new socks...I am in the same boat as you...have always worn Under Armour socks, and the ones I am wearing now are getting so, so worn!
    Hope I win!!!:)

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  19. I'd love a pair of Coolmax 1/4 Mesh XL

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  20. I already follow your blog!

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  21. Visited their site... the Coolmax No Show socks look right up my alley!

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  22. Posted a link on to your giveaway on my Twitter @rustbeltrunner

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  23. I'm already a follower! :)

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  24. I like the 1/4" mesh run-bike sock!

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  25. I'm a follower of your blog!! Great giveaway.

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  26. I'd love to try their no-show run-bike mesh socks in merino wool.

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  27. I'd like - Coolmax® No-Show Cushion • 1414

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  28. I posted this giveaway on my blog - HOPE I WIN

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  29. I'm a follower and I desperately need these socks! Does it help I'm from Vermont originally? haha :)

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  30. I liked them on facebook! :)

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  31. I would like to try to no-show coolmax cushion socks! They kinda sound like heaven. :)

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  32. I'd LOVE the cushion socks. When I get to running a lot of miles, my dogs get to barken.

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  33. I like the Merino Wool 1/4 Sock Mesh • 1493 in charcoal

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  34. Like Darn Tough Vermont socks on FB!

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  35. Like Darn Tough on Facebook...

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  36. I like the CoolMax No Show Cushion...

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  37. Glad to hear you liked the socks. I've heard good things about wool products for runners - nice to know the rumors are true.

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  38. I'd like the no show cushion socks - in the orange stripe - what a fun pattern!!!

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  39. I love the no show in the orange stripe! I have a thing for socks :)

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  40. I like the no-show coolmax for running, but the micro crew looks great for hiking!

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  41. Just like we buy garments and clothes for wearing them on different occasions and events, the case is not different with the socks. custom wool socks

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