Darn Tough Coolmax Vertex Tab No Show Ultra-Light
Reviewed by
Steve Mullen
INCENTIVIZED REVIEWER
+2,619
October 10, 2016
Seamless construction helps prevent blisters. Coolmax polyester keeps your feet cool. Lifetime guarantee.
Pros
- Lifetime guarantee
- Perfect fit
- Coolmax yarn wicks away moisture to keep feet cool
Recently I hiked the Tour of Mont Blanc, a classic 100-mile hut-to-hut trail that runs through France, Italy, and Switzerland as it winds its way around Mont Blanc. Knowing I would probably encounter rain at some point I left my normal trail runners home and took a pair of Ahnu lowrise waterproof boots.
Picking the correct socks to match meant trying the boot on with a variety of socks. All would be thin socks, as that is what I prefer to hike in. In the end, I choice to take six pairs. Among them, two different pairs of Darn Tough's Coolmax Vertex Tab No Show Ultra-Light running socks made the trip. One of the pairs was their extra cushion model.
These are minimalist running socks meant for warm weather. The Coolmax polyester yarns along with nylon and spandex combine to make a sock that fits perfectly, is moisture wicking, and quick drying. A wide variety of weaving patterns allows not only that great fit but very good ventilation. Most of the upper portion from the toe to top of the sock is a very open weave which allows heat and moisture to escape. More ventilation runs under the arch of the foot.
The toe and the heel of the sock have a very high stitch count that makes them pretty bulletproof. They even have a handy tab for pulling the sock on, which also helps keep the sock in place.
Switching between the two socks every other day they were super comfortable in both five days of hot sunny weather and the 5five days were it rained on and off all day. No blisters or hot spots were encountered and any moisture would dry in minutes after the boots were removed.
On an especially wet muddy day, the socks got wet from water running down my pants, but they still provided excellent cushioning. Since my feet had gotten both wet and cold, I replaced the wet socks at lunch with a pair made of Merino wool to finish the remainder of the day. A simple sink wash at night was all that was necessary to keep the socks fresh.
The socks were great the whole trip and you certainly can not beat a Lifetime Guarantee.
Sock details:
- Size: Medium, Large, Xlarge (8-14.5 shoe size)
- Colors: Jasmine green, Hawaiian blue, Black, White
Price:
- Coolmax Vertex Tab No Show Ultra-Light: $15
- Coolmax Vertex Tab No Show Ultra-Light Cushion: $16
Source: tested or reviewed it for the manufacturer (I kept the product after testing.)
