Darn Tough Vermont said its military issue flame resistant Merino wool boot sock will be included in the recently awarded Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble known as the FREE Clothing System. This is a multilayered, versatile, insulating system that is adaptable to varying mission requirements and environmental conditions.


This four year contract worth $1 billion dollars was awarded to ADS Tactical of Virginia Beach, VA, Darn Tough Vermont’s long time partner and distributor to the defense industry. In support of this contract Darn Tough Vermont and the Cabot Hosiery Mill will knit and provide the U.S. Army with their 100% U.S. sourced and manufactured Merino wool boot socks.


Sales Manger Roland Beliveau states that, “The announcement of this award represents the culmination of several years of hard work and many manufacturers coming together to develop and provide the U.S. Army with a high performance safe clothing system. We are excited to know that soldiers around the world will be more comfortable wearing our Vermont made socks.”


“This contract is a significant milestone for our Northfield, Vermont community, Darn Tough Vermont and the Cabot Hosiery Mill. It validates our long term commitment to domestic manufacturing, and will help ensure the stability and growth of our brands and knitting mill. All of us at the Cabot Hosiery Mill are proud to be involved in this project.” Added Executive Vice President Ric Cabot, who is the third generation of his family to work in the hosiery business.


“When our troops go into a war zone like Iraq or Afghanistan, they need the most advanced gear available,” said U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, co-chair of the Senate’s 96-member National Guard Caucus and a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which handles the Senate’s work in writing the annual defense budget. Senator Leahy has aggressively supported the efforts of Darn Tough to equip U.S. troops with their advanced footwear, writing several letters of support in 2006 that led to a significant contract and securing $1.6 million in appropriations in 2007 for Darn Tough to provide the footwear to the Marine Corps. “These brave soldiers can go on patrols in extremely dangerous and challenging environments for days on end,” continued Leahy. “The last thing they should have to worry about is the quality and protection provided by their footwear. Vermont firms like Darn Tough have shown incredible skill and ingenuity in turning out products that meet all our troops’ needs in the toughest conditions. Darn Tough is already a regular provider to the military services, and this contract is a new vote of confidence from the Army and great news for the economy in Central Vermont.”