I have many pairs of smart wool and darn tough. The darn tough are just that, darn tough. The Smart wool are very nice but after 6 months or so I get holes on the base of my big toe and if I pay that much for a pair of socks I’d hope to get more then 6 months out of it.
In over 50 years of big game hunting in Colorado, Montana, and many international hunts including Musk ox and Caribou above the Arctic Circle, and 40 some years of Colorado and Montana skiing including 10 years as a ski instructor and full time ski patrolman at 3 Colorado ski areas in -35* F temperatures, the only socks that I've ever worn were and are cotton like those that are 5 pairs for $10 at Wally World. I've never had any problems with cold feet or blisters due to my socks.