Review on Darn Tough Merino Wool Boot Sock Full Cushion - Unparalleled Comfort and Durability for Your Boots by Andrew Spainhour

I hate being hard on these shoes because I really wanted them to please and they were comfortable when I put them on. After hearing about these socks from a friend I took the bait and ordered a pair about 10 days ago and was dying to try them out. I wore them twice on short hikes (less than 4 miles each) and washed them on the gentle cycle and hung them out to dry after each wear. This is the same process I've used on countless other socks from many brands over the past several decades. Some of the socks I've had have lasted so long that after many, many socks I've worn out the heel, but I've never seen a sock just fall apart like that in such a short time. In fact, I've never seen a sock tear apart like that. The areas of the feet and ankles are filed to a degree I have never seen before. It started on the first wash and got a lot worse on the second wash. There is also a hole that has now started at the seam of one of the socks in the sock area. You can see both editions in the attached images, some of which also show Darn Tough socks alongside a pair of Smartwool socks (which have probably been worn and washed 30-40 times) and a pair of Wigwam socks (which have probably been worn)/ washed no less than Smartwool socks). All 3 brands shown were washed in my domestic washing machine and hung to dry, not tumble dry, so we know the problem is not with the washing machine. To make matters worse I have contacted Darn Tough through their website and they will take them back for a review/replacement, but here's the catch: I have to pay $$ out of my own pocket to ship them . Eventually they return to Revain where luckily I don't have to pay my hard earned money to send back a defective product just to have another pair replaced (this can start a return/acceptance cycle). List of bad products, these must be replaced at my expense with every return). Heck, the warranty is worthless if I have to spend $ to replace it. Just ask for the receipt and photos and either send a new pair or refund the buyer in dollars and let them go their own way. I'll just take my bucks and buy another brand whatever it seems because I've never had this problem before.