Winter is upon us so it's time to head up into the hills and enjoy the snow!
We have selected the best ski socks for this winter season to keep your feet warm and protected as it's important to take into account the cushioning, breathability, fit and performance of the socks before choosing the right pair for you. So whether you're skiing, snowboarding or touring, we've got your toes covered!
Pair your best ski socks with our selection of best jackets and gloves and you're set to ski in style!
Don't forget to check out our Buyers Guide- What you need to consider and our Handy Hints to give you a steer on the best ski gloves for this winter.
Right, let's dive in!
BEST SKI SOCKS -OUR TOP PICKS
SMARTWOOL FULL CUSHION OTC SKI SOCKS
DARN TOUGH OTC SKI/RIDE FUNCTION 5 SOCKS
BURTON PERFORMANCE MID WEIGHT SKI SOCKS
ICEBREAKER MERINO SKI SOCKS
SMARTWOOL TARGETED PATTERN CUSHION SKI SOCKS WOMENS
WIGWAM SNOW SIROCCO SKI SOCKS
OUTDOOR MASTER MERINO UNISEX SKI SOCKS
DARN TOUGH YETI SKI SOCKS WOMENS
CEP MENS MERINO COMPRESSION PERFORMANCE SKI SOCKS
LE BENT CODY TOWNSEND PRO SNOW SOCKS
SMARTWOOL FULL CUSHION OTC SKI SOCKS:
What Works For Us:
Our favorite model for 2022-23 from the Smartwool ski socks specialists is the Full Cushion OTC sock. Smartwool are the merino wool specialists of the ski sock world and these are exactly what's needed for alpine skiing, boarding or ski touring.
As merino wool is softer than regular wool, these fully cushioned socks have a snug and soft feel that fit extremely well, hug nicely below the knee and give superior performance out on the mountains.
The Full Cushion ski socks are ultra breathable with ventilation points as they wick sweat away, keeping your feet dry and odor free.
There is ample padding under the heel and toes to give full cushioning and protection against ski boots rubbing and blisters forming.
A great all round winter season sock that is suited to most skiers and riders that will keep your feet warm and comfortable all day long.
What You Need To Know:
Materials: Merino Wool (57%), nylon (41%), elastane (2%)
Thickness: medium
Who for: Alpine skiing, snow boarding, ski touring
DARN TOUGH OTC SKI/RIDE FUNCTION 5 PADDED SOCKS:
What Works For Us:
Anything from Darn Tough has durability written all over it and the Ski/Ride Function 5 padded socks are no exception.
With undetectable seams which give an ultra smooth finish to the sock, to the padded mid-level cushioning along the major pressure points such as the shin, underfoot and heel, with these Darn Tough socks you can rest assured that your feet are protected from blisters, rubbing and irritation.
The Merino wool blend wicks moisture away for fast drying to keep your feet odor-free, warm and comfortable all day long.
These over-the-calf Darn Tough socks are durable, tough yet soft to touch and warrant their price tag as Darn Tough stand behind their product and offer a lifetime guarantee so you can be confident in their quality and craftsmanship.
What You Need To Know:
Materials: Merino Wool (66%), nylon (31%), lycra spandex (3%)
Thickness: medium
Who for: Alpine skiing, snow boarding, ski touring, snowshoeing
BURTON PERFORMANCE MID-WEIGHT SKI SOCKS:
What Works For Us:
Introducing the Burton Performance Mid-weight Ski Socks! These socks are a must-have for any skier, whether you're hitting the slopes or trekking through the backcountry.
Made with a Merino wool blend, they have an odor-resistant foot bed and are equipped with ventilated DryRide toe panels to wick away moisture, keeping your feet dry all day long.
Plus, the Sock Lock design prevents heel slippage, and the strategic padding helps relieve pressure on the top of your foot to prevent blistering from ski boots. With all-over elastic support and left-right ergonomic motion fit, these socks are durable and comfortable, making them ideal for any winter activity.
And with so many designs to choose from, don't hit the slopes without a pair of Burton Performance Mid-weight Ski Socks!
What You Need To Know:
Materials: Merino Wool (30%), nylon (38%), acrylic (30%), elastane (2%)
Thickness: medium
Who for: Alpine skiing, snow boarding, ski touring, snowshoeing
ICEBREAKER MERINO SKI + OTC MEDIUM CUSHION SOCKS:
What Works For Us:
The Icebreaker Merino Ski + feel like silk against your skin. These are hands down, the comfiest and softest ski socks out there!
With the seamless toes and sculpted fit, and the wide, comfortable band at the calf, there's no bunching or slipping and you can be confident that they will stay secure throughout the day.
The moisture-wicking properties of the merino wool ensure that your feet stay dry and comfortable even when you're working up a sweat.
Icebreaker have designed an anatomical toe box for both the left and right foot to give a superior fit and with the well constructed cushioning on the shin and heel, these socks are well worth it.
What You Need To Know:
Materials: Merino Wool (53%), nylon (45%), elastane (2%)
Thickness: medium
Who for: Alpine skiing, snow boarding, ski touring
Best for Comfort and Warmth
Smartwool Ski Targeted Cushion Pattern OTC Socks Womens
SMARTWOOL SKI TARGETED CUSHION PATTERN OTC SOCKS:
What Works For Us:
These cosy, comfortable and durable socks live up to Smartwool's reputation as one of the best ski sock producers currently on the market.
With strategic cushioning on high-wear areas such as the heel and toes and with a virtually seamless toe for superior comfort, these over-the-calf socks are still comfortable even after long days on the mountains.
Made from Merino wool, they're highly breathable and moisture-wicking, so your feet will stay dry and comfortable no matter what. Plus, Smartwool's Indestructawool construction makes these ski socks super tough and long lasting. And with a sculpted fit, and comfortable calf band, they'll stay in place in your ski boots perfectly.
What You Need To Know:
Materials: Merino Wool (59%), nylon (11%), recycled nylon (27%), elastane (3%)
Thickness: light to medium
Who for: Alpine skiing, snow boarding, ski touring
WIGWAM SNOW SIROCCO SOCKS:
What Works For Us:
As one of our preferred budget ski socks, the Wigwam Snow Sirocco are fully cushioned, warm, medium weight socks which give great quality for their price point.
These midweight socks feature a stay-up leg cuff to prevent bunching and with a seamless toe closure that helps avoid blistering and irritation, the Sirocco keep your feet dry and comfortable all day long.
Plus, the reinforced shin adds an extra layer of protection from your ski boots rubbing, combined with the full cushioning throughout the foot of the sock making these a pair of well made and durable socks.
These socks are perfect for weekend skiers and mountain-goers looking for a less expensive sock option!
What You Need To Know:
Materials: Wool (60%), stretched nylon (30%), stretched polyester (9%), spandex (1%)
Thickness: medium
Who for: Alpine skiing, snow boarding
OUTDOOR MASTER SKI SOCKS - UNISEX:
What Works For Us:
This is another of our favorites in the budget friendly ski sock catergory!
The Outdoor Master merino wool OTC unisex ski socks offer a breathable, warm and comfortable sock with a Non-Slip cuff to make sure your socks stay up and in place.
The seamless toe closures and the good cushioning on the heel and toes ensures no blisters or rubbing from your ski boots, but bear in mind that these socks run slightly thicker than some of the other models in our list, so check against your ski boots.
The Merino Wool helps wick away sweat to keep your feet dry and odor-free all day long and with 2 pairs for a great price, you can't go wrong with Outdoor Master Ski socks.
What You Need To Know:
Materials: Merino Wool (30%), acrylic (35%), nylon (20%), polyester (6%), elastane (6%), rubber (3%)
Thickness: medium to thick
Who for: Skiing, snow boarding
DARN TOUGH YETI OTC LIGHT SKI SOCK WOMENS:
What Works For Us:
This lightweight, Yeti design performance ski sock from Darn Tough has all the durability and superior construction as the Ski/Ride Function 5's.
With high density knitting techniques (more stitches per inch), these merino wool socks are pure comfort and are a perfect fit under ski boots as there is no extra bulk.
The merino wool allows for great breathability and wicks away moisture for dry, odor-free feet all day long. This over the calf sock fits snugly under the knee and has a comfortable calf band to prevent any bunching or slipping. Plus, the seamless toe technology means no blisters from ski boots rubbing.
The Darn Tough Yeti's lightweight ski sock is tough yet so soft and are a great match for anyone looking for a pair of performance ski socks.
What You Need To Know:
Materials: Merino Wool (61%), nylon (37%), lycra spandex (2%)
Thickness: Light
Who for: Skiing, snow boarding
CEP MENS SKI MERINO COMPRESSION PERFORMANCE SOCKS:
What Works For Us:
The CEP Compression Performance ski sock is well recognised in the compression socks category for improving circulation to the foot by stimulating blood flow which allows those of us with constant cold feet to finally feel snug!
CEP has designed these compression socks to reduce muscle fatigue and swelling, as well as absorb shock and pressure on your feet and legs. They have an anatomical design which hugs the calf and ankle to give superior support, and the 20-30 mmHg compression helps your feet feel energised and less fatigued.
These functional compression socks are also made with Merino Wool to sustain warmth and wick away moisture, and have a seamless toe closure to prevent blisters and rubbing so give your feet a new lease of life on the slopes!
What You Need To Know:
Materials: Polyamide (67%), Merino Wool (23%), spandex (10%)
Thickness: Compression 20-30 mmHg
Who for: Alpine skiing, snow boarding
LE BENT CODY TOWNSEND PRO SNOW SOCK:
What Works For Us:
Looking for a top-performing ski sock to take your backcountry skiing to the next level? Look no further than the Le Bent Pro Snow Sock, made in collaboration with the legendary pro-skier Cody Townsend.
Featuring foot molding memory stretch and targeted cushioning for a snug and contoured fit, these socks provide great support and structure to your feet. They're also soft and smooth, thanks to the mix of merino wool and bamboo rayon, and stay dry and sweat-free thanks to mesh ventilation zones. Plus, the "Sock Lock" prevents bunching and slipping, making these socks ideal for all-day wear. So if you're looking for a sock that can keep up with your tough demands, the Le Bent Pro Snow Sock is the perfect choice.
What You Need To Know:
Materials: Bamboo Rayon (44%), Nylon (35%), Merino Wool (19%), Elastane (2%)
Thickness: Light
Who for: Alpine skiing, snow boarding, backcountry skiing
BUYERS GUIDE TO THE BEST SKI SOCKS- WHAT YOU NEED TO CONSIDER:
Ski socks are an essential part of any winter gear kit. They help to keep your feet dry, supported, warm and comfortable, letting you enjoy the snow!
However, with so many different ski socks on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Knowing where, when and what type of skiing you plan on doing will make a difference to the type of ski sock you need - a spring ski trip might require a thinner ski sock compared to the thicker ski sock used in the heart of winter.
Here are a few key elements to consider when choosing the best ski sock:
SOCK MATERIALS - BREATHABILITY - MOISTURE WICKING - DURABILITY
Ski socks are an important part of a skier's gear, and they come in a variety of materials, each with their own benefits. Wool is a great conductor of heat, which is why many ski socks are wool-blended or made entirely of merino wool.
Merino wool is especially favored in the ski community for its softness, warmth, and ability to wick away moisture and keep feet odor-free.
Most ski socks are a blend of several materials, such as merino wool, elastane, nylon, polyester, bamboo, and lycra. The mix of synthetic materials gives the sock support and helps create a sculpted fit that is fast-drying and comfortable for all-day wear.
Though ski socks won't last forever, choosing ones made of sturdy materials that offer both natural and synthetic benefits and can stand up to multiple washings, can help you get the most out of your ski socks investment.
SOCK THICKNESS & FIT
The general rule of thumb used to be that the thicker the ski sock, the more insulation, therefore the warmer the foot. Things have changed in the ski sock world and there are some incredibly well insulating lightweight ski socks out there as well as the more tradition mid-weight options.
Deciding how thick you should go often relies on what your ski sock/ski boot set up is and as ski boots have advanced hugely in terms of liners and inner insulation, a thicker sock is not always necessary. Make sure that the fit is not too tight with your socks and if you're looking for a more performance-orientated feel, then a lightweight ski sock might be more appealing.
CUSHIONING & PADDING
Ski socks today offer a huge range of cushioning and padding from strategic pressure points being protected such as the heel, base of foot, top arch of foot and the Achilles. Extra padding is found on the shin which absorbs any shock to the shin from bumping or landing hard.
Ski socks now all seem to offer toe box enclosures of seamless toes which stop friction and blistering.
HANDY HINTS:
What are the best socks to wear skiing?
Ski socks are made of a thicker, more insulating material than regular socks, such as merino wool. They also have a gripping texture on the bottom so that they stay in place inside your ski boot.
There are a few different types of ski socks: thermal, water-repellent, and cushioning. Thermal socks are the most popular type. They come in different weights, ultralight socks, lightweight socks, medium weight and thick so you can choose the ones that best suit your needs. Thermal materials are wool blends, such as merino wool or some synthetic blends mixed with merino wool. Water-repellent socks are designed to keep your feet dry even if they get wet from snow or rain. Cushioning socks have extra padding in strategic places to help prevent blisters and sore spots.
Do ski socks make a difference?
Ski socks can make a difference because they are thicker and can keep your feet warmer.
The main difference between ski socks and regular athletic socks is that ski socks are typically made of a thicker, more insulating material such as merino wool. This insulation can help keep your feet warmer, which is important when you're skiing in cold weather. Ski socks also have a more aggressive tread pattern than regular athletic socks, which helps them grip the snow better.
Are ski socks supposed to be thin or thick?
Ski socks come in different thicknesses, but the thicker they are, the more insulation they provide. So it really depends on how cold it is outside and how cold your feet get. If it's really cold outside and you're having a hard time with cold feet, then you may want to try a thicker pair of ski socks or even heated ski socks. A different ski sock is needed at different times of the year depending on the climate you are skiing in.
What are the warmest ski socks?
Cold feet can be a real issue on the mountains so ski and snowboard socks are thicker and made of wool to keep your feet warm. Merino wool socks are a popular choice for skiers and snowboarders. The best ski socks will keep your feet warm, comfortable and dry.
When shopping for ski socks, you'll want to consider the weight or thickness of the sock. Some ski socks are rated as light, medium or heavy weight. You'll also want to consider the fiber content of your ski sock. Wool is a great fiber for keeping your feet dry and comfortable when skiing. Merino Wool is considered one of the best forms of insulation for cold feet. Other fabrics that work well for a ski sock include acrylic, polyester and cotton. With thicker socks, it's worth considering their snug fit in a ski boot so make sure they don't rub.
Thank you for following along on our journey to find the best ski sock for this winter season. We hope that by providing this in-depth look at the different types of ski sock available, as well as what to consider when making your purchase, you feel confident in selecting the best pair of ski socks for your needs. Be sure to check out the price of ski socks you select by tapping the green button below.
Go hit the slopes!
