Here is my take on ?Smartwool cost. You will buy them once. I have their socks and they outlasted any I have ever owned bar none. They also performed better for the duration.
I have their bottoms and see no reason why they won't last me the rest of my usable hunting lifetime-ie by the time I can't walk they might be ready to retire too. So 30 years. Unless I do something stupid and throw them in the dryer after every wash.
The details are why they are more expensive- better seams, better waist band by far than duofold and better wools.
Sure they cost, but every time you use them you will be thinking "Wow glad I got these".
Joshua