As long as your liner fits you well and you dont go out in positively frigid conditions, an ultralight sock is perfectly suitable. See the REI Co-op Powderbound Midweight. In choosing an ultralight sock like this one, you do sacrifice some durability. Let us know! Darn Tough Over-the-Calf Ultralight, the tallest and thinnest socks in our test. Its important to note that the Wigwam Sirocco is not ideal for performance-oriented skiers as the sock is a little thick and doesnt hug your foot as well as the pricier models above. Otherwise, we think its worth saving with one of the merino-heavier socks above.See the Men's CEP Ski Ultralight See the Women's CEP Ski Ultralight.
First and foremost, you get high-quality merino wool (certified to the Responsible Wool Standard), added cushioning at the heels and toes to boost durability and comfort, and a seamless toe to prevent irritation and abrasion. A quality ski sock gets the basics right: a close but not restricting fit, soft-touch materials that dont itch, and enough cushioning to keep you on the slopes all day.
All that said, we consider pretty much any sock gender-neutralgo with what feels best.
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Merino and synthetic are the two most common materials used in sock construction, while nylon is a secondary fabric that boosts durability and gives the socks a consistent shape. Its worth noting that Smartwool falls short of Darn Tough below in both durability and warranty (two years vs. Darn Toughs lifetime guarantee). Recognized as one of the best retailers to equip you for your next adventure.
tough darn You also shouldnt have to peel the socks off (compression options are the exception). Got feedback? We want you to love your gear like we love ours. Amazingly, a super-thin ultralight sock can be a suitable option even in cold conditionsas long as youve spent big bucks on a nice pair of modern ski boots.
darn tough If your boots are already tight or you prefer less cushioning, Smartwools latest Performance line also includes light and ultralight models in various prints and styles.See the Smartwool Ski Full Cushion OTC See the Women's Ski Full Cushion OTC. While a merino wool sock usually can last a couple days before needing a wash, most synthetics smell rather ripe by lunch. For more background, see our ski sock comparison table and buying advice below the picks. With comparatively little merino in the build, the CEP Ski Ultralight isnt as soft as the wool-intensive builds above, plus you dont the same level of odor-fighting ability.
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As with their hiking models weve tested, the Powderbound ski socks feature spandex around the arch that can loosen after extended use. But for casual resort-goers and those looking for a good value, the Powderbound is a well-made and comfortable sock at a great price.
otc darn powderhound backcountry As such, it is the one article of clothing youre most likely to swap out depending on weather conditions. The downsides are warmth and stink prevention, although some brands have worked very hard to combat the latter complaint. Need help with bike sizing? Given the similarity in price between these socks and the Darn Tough and Smartwool socks above, its a very close call and you cant go wrong with any of these brands.See the Men's Icebreaker Ski+ Light See the Women's Icebreaker Ski+ Light. On the plus side, it offers similar levels of warmth (and Wigwam recently added more wool to the build), and weve found it as cheap as $10 even in the heart of the winter buying season. Talk to one of our experts today!
darn Additionally, the fabric weave and construction is an important consideration, because some brands like Darn Tough prioritize long-term durability over supreme softness with a dense weave, while others like Icebreaker sacrifice a little on lifespan for coziness.
Look to the SmartWool PhD if durability cannot be compromised. There are important considerations when making a purchase: What is your skill level?
A compression sock fits exactly as youd expect: very tightly.
darn For skiers who demand a tight fitting boot and cannot compromise on thickness in their ski socks, Darn Tough Over-the-Calf Ultra-light ski sock is the answer. Again, there are a few downsides to bypassing merino. You help support OutdoorGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. Materials: 80% MicroSupreme, 15% nylon, 5% elastaneThickness: LightWhat we like: A well-made synthetic sock at a great price.What we dont: Slightly less comfortable and warm than a merino option. If you're searching for that elusive one-ski quiver, this is the category to find it.
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And the light cushioning provides that Goldilocks level of support: just enough to be comfortable but not overly bulky for sliding into tight ski boots. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. Those that require a little extra cushioning or warmth may want to look at the more all-around friendly lightweight category below.Lightweight Its not scratchy like wool socks of oldin fact, its quite soft and comfortableand repels odor extremely well. As such, we recommend taking good care of your expensive ski socks. Its true that FITS socks undercut the competition by around $1 per pair, but thats not enough for us to recommend them over a more proven option from Smartwool or Darn Tough (yet). Materials: 55% merino, 42% nylon, 3% lycraThickness: LightWhat we like: Warm and comfortable.What we dont: Pills up over time. New Zealand-based Icebreaker is one of the top manufacturers of merino wool outdoor apparel, and we particularly like their Ski+ Light. At $18, the Eurosock Ski Supreme undercuts much of the competition in price while still delivering fit and performance that stack up decently well to the options above. We usually recommend choosing a ski sock with some degree of padding along the shin for all-day comfort and to take the sting out of shin-bang (or when landing a jump). Though these socks do perform well, they are not warm in the sense of cozy, and if that is of importance, the SmartWool PhD Ski Medium would make a better choice.
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Synthetics build up stink more quickly, so youll want to wash these socks after every day on the slopes. In other words, merino socks are able to keep your feet warm when the mercury drops, but you should also remain cool when spring rolls around. 100% Price & Performance Guarantee - Every Item, All of the Time. A blend of fabrics, usually including some nylon for toughness and elastane or spandex for stretch, is required to provide a supportive fit that stays in place.
Following trends in running and performance gear, ski socks brands have been offering up more and more compression options. Our favorite value option is the Wigwam Sirocco, which is around $10-$15 less than the Darn Tough and Smartwool options above (depending on color) yet still offers plenty of warmth and comfort for a typical day on the slopes. These models are often a bit shorterfor example, the Smartwool Performance Ski Full Cushion OTC mens sock is 14 inches, while the womens version is only 13.
Some testers found these socks, like the Icebreaker, to be constricting around the foot, which resulted in cold feet. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. One downside is that theyre prone to pilling up after a few runs through the washer (try and avoid drying them if you can), although the recent boost in nylon should help. The nylon and merino wool blends are focused on a low profile fit that sits well in your boot, and are prone to developing holes over time.
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darn vermont We found the Darn Tough to be snug if even tight fitting, but thought it was lacking in the cozy feeling we got from socks like the SmartWool PhD Ski Medium. They are built with a high concentration of merino wool, and they compare similarly to the PhD in their performance. This can create hot spots or worse, blisters. The close, minimally padded fit keeps you close to your boots for added precision and feel on the slopes, and you get the same level of comfort and odor-fighting power that Smartwool is known for. Any sock that falls below the top of your boot can create serious discomfort and rubbing against the skin, so its important to have a little wiggle room. The Icebreaker model wins for best wicking capability. And as is the case with most compression models, the CEP is around double the cost of our top picks. More nylon is usually associated with a performance fit that should retain its shape and avoid sagging over time. Second, they dont offer quite the same next-to-skin softness as merino, although Thermolite still is reasonably comfortable. When looking at the list above, you might notice that all of the socks fall just below the knee.
Materials: 55% nylon, 42% Thermolite polyester, 3% spandexThickness: UltralightWhat we like: More durable than merino.What we dont: Still nearly as expensive. We use affiliate links andmay receive a small commission on purchases. In addition to Smartwool, Darn Tough makes some of the best socks on the market: theyre constructed mostly of merino wool, made in Vermont, and come with a lifetime warranty to back them up. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Wick moisture well, warm when wet, lifetime guarantee, stylie, Not a cozy feel, constricting for larger volume feet.
darntough And the midweight option listed here is good for those that run cold, but modern ski boots are meant to fit snugly and have quality liners that do a lot of the insulating work for you.
The third Smartwool model to make our list is the most performance-focused of the bunch: their Athlete Edition Freeski OTC (formerly the PhD Pro Freeski). Choosing the right ski jacket is all about managing the conditions that you might encounter on the mountain. From their ski lineup, we think the Ski Ultralight is a winner. Ski socks of old used to fall into this category, but the changes in ski boot technology have made a thicker sock far less important. Wicking moisture is what these socks do best. Up to 60% Off Select Gear, Clothing & Shoes. What weve found to be most successful is to turn them inside out and wash in cool or warm waterand use tech wash occasionally to help get out any lingering smells. But keep in mind, boot liners are meant to fit snug, so a sock that is too thick can actually restrict blood flow and make your feet even colder. And most resort and backcountry skiers will be just fine with a sock like the Smartwool or Darn Tough options above that come in at less than half the Dissent Labs price. If you require less cushioning and shin padding, we recommend the Eurosock Silver Ski Light or Ski Superlite.See the Eurosock Ski Supreme. There are, however, a few ultralight padded options out there that combine a non-cushioned design with some shin protection. The elastane or spandex lets the fabric flex, while nylon gives the sock a structure that retains its shape even after being stretched, and supports your foot, ankle and lower leg. Darn tough socks were born and built in Vermont, USA. We wore the past generation of this sock (the very similarly built PhD Ski Ultra Light) for years, and the latest model shares the same excellent fit and breathabilitya great combination for high-output uses like ski touring and exploring the sidecountry. Further, socks designed for snowboarding focus much of the padding at the top of the foot rather than the shin, which helps maintain comfort while strapped tightly into bindings. The downside of a design like the CEP Ski Ultralight is a substantial bump in price, which can be nearly double the cost of a comparable standard ski sock. The Darn Tough Ultralight is set apart from the field in this category. The biggest impediment by far with the GFX Compression is price. Boot liners insulated with products like microfiber Thinsulate are able to trap hot air against your feet far better than ever before. For a cheaper but still performance-ready option from Smartwool, check out their Performance Ski Targeted Cushion OTC, which boasts a little more wool (59%) but has less of a compression fit and lacks the contoured shin and ankle padding. Finally, you dont get much in the way of cost savings here. The Darn Tough Over-the-Calf Ultralight keeping things warm and dry deep into the afternoon, when we just could not get enough!!!!!! That said, while the synthetic build does a decent impression of merinos odor-fighting abilities, these socks will still require washing more frequently than wool alternatives. But what truly sets Darn Tough apart is the level of durability: we still have ski and hiking models going strong after 5+ years of consistent wear.
otc darn snowpack The average skier absolutely does not need a compression sock, and only those that are looking for a very tight and secure fit, and perhaps a slight improvement in recovery time and warmth, should consider spending the $30 to $60 for a pair of socks. Like the Dissent, you get targeted padding in key areas like the shin and ankle, as well as a performance fit for support and warmth (albeit not as tight as the true compression designs). A socks wicking ability is particularly important for backcountry skiers or those prone to working up a sweat. Like the medium and ultralight versions above, the Athlete Edition Freeski features the brands Indestructawool technology for added abrasion resistance and durability, a snug, foot-hugging fit, and a healthy amount of merino (57%) that boosts comfort and fends off stink. Comfort and warmth are other concessions, although the differences aren't too major. Granted, merino wool socks are rarely pure merino. Materials: 52% nylon, 45% merino wool, 3% lycraThickness: LightWhat we like: Quality and durability are hard to match.What we dont: Not the softest on the market (but theyre not far off). Copyright 2022 Retail Concepts, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The closer, streamlined fit also improves contact with the boots for improved performance. Materials: 68% merino wool, 24% nylon, 6% polyester, 2% lycraThickness: MediumWhat we like: The highest percentage of merino on our list.What we dont: Not as proven as Smartwool or Darn Tough. Their lineup is undeniably extensiveand admittedly a little hard to decipher with all the various namesbut we especially like the OTC Lightweight models (including the Solstice and womens Alpine) which hit a nice middle ground in cushioning and warmth for season-long resort use. The high price tag is due to the graduated compression technology that gently squeezes muscles in the lower leg to promote blood flow for warmth and recovery. The fit also is excellent and Icebreaker is the only one here that makes socks specifically for your left and right foot (although in our experience, the Smartwool socks above fit just as well).
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