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That’s why we spent over 50 hours researching and testing light and medium ski socks.
Ultimately, we believe the Smartwool Ski Over the Calf Men’s and Women’s Socks (Targeted Cushioning versions) are the best fit for most people, as they provide the perfect combination of comfort, cushioning, breathability, and support.
These socks are narrower than the men’s ones and provide the best combination of versatility, support and comfort.
The snug fit keeps your foot secure and provides cushioning where you need it, but the socks can feel bulky.
These socks have the same comfort properties as the women’s version, but are available in other sizes and colors.
These soft socks provide comfort and cushioning at an affordable price. But they are breathable and fit well.
These socks are narrower than the men’s ones and provide the best combination of versatility, support and comfort.
Available in both men’s and women’s styles, the Smartwool Ski Over the Calf Sock is the most versatile sock for those looking to ski in all but the coldest conditions.
These socks combine the best fit and comfort of any socks we tested, as they offer excellent arch support and key mesh ventilation zones for improved breathability. Best of all, these socks are made from merino wool, which wicks moisture away from your feet and helps regulate your body temperature in all conditions.
The socks come in two levels of cushioning: a ‘zero cushioning’ version and a ‘targeted cushioning’ version; we recommend the latter.
The snug fit keeps your foot secure and provides cushioning where you need it, but the socks can feel bulky.
These socks have the same comfort properties as the women’s version, but are available in other sizes and colors.
The Darn Tough Over-Calm Midweight Ski & Snowboard Socks (Men’s & Women’s) didn’t make our list of favorites because they offer less flexible support and heavier padding. However, they’re a good backup if our favorite is out of stock. The merino wool construction and seamless fit keep your feet feeling soft and are unlikely to cause any wrinkles.
Nothing beats Darn Tough’s unbeatable lifetime guarantee: you can return any item at any time and the company will replace it for free. However, this guarantee isn’t enough to make them our favorites, as you’ll rarely need to replace your ski socks – you’re more likely to lose a pair of ski socks in the wash than wear them out.
These soft socks provide comfort and cushioning at an affordable price. But they are breathable and fit well.
Wigwam’s Sirocco OTC Wool Midweight Socks (Unisex) are comfortable, but they lack the merino wool and mesh ventilation that make our favorite so breathable. Wigwam’s price cut on this model means you lose out on the immediate comfort, high-quality breathability, and feel typically associated with functional fit socks. Still, we think these socks are a budget option for those looking for a moderately soft, warm, and comfortable ski sock that they can wear only occasionally.
I’ve been skiing since I could walk. My dad would hold me between his legs and push me down the slopes of the Eastern Sierra. Whether I’m skiing in the deepest snow or in the rain, in an icy winter storm or in a t-shirt in the hottest summer weather, riding a lift or climbing and rappelling down volcanoes, I understand the importance of protecting my feet in the mountains.
If you plan to spend four to eight hours in the snow and want to keep your feet warm, this guide is for you. We looked for lightweight and medium ski socks for those who plan to spend the entire day skiing outdoors.
These socks will also come in handy if you are snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snow touring, snowboarding, or just playing outside in cold weather. I wear ski socks when hiking in cold weather because they cover my calves and provide more protection than traditional hiking socks.
A base layer next to the skin is essential for regulating body temperature: I’ve seen plenty of people on the ski slopes who decide to wear a big puffer jacket but still wear cotton outdoor socks. However, one of the most common complaints on the ski slopes is cold feet, often caused by ill-fitting socks. That’s why wool or synthetic socks are essential for anyone planning to ski. Sports socks wick away sweat and moisture, keeping your feet as dry and comfortable as possible.
This guide features sock options for both men’s and women’s feet. While differences in foot and calf anatomy between men and women result in different ski boot designs, good ski socks are designed to fit a wide range of foot shapes.
As we reported in our guide to the best hiking socks, the women’s hiking socks we tested were simply smaller versions of men’s socks in a variety of colors. The same goes for ski socks.
We focus on light to medium weight over-the-calf ski socks as they are the best choice for those who plan to ski in moderately cold weather. Medium weight socks are best for those days when you can clearly see your breath and the air feels nice on your face, or when the wind is blowing hard and you are skiing in a snow storm.
Lightweight socks are the most versatile choice for moderate to warm weather in the mountains. However, each of the socks we’ve selected comes in a variety of padding and thickness configurations. Choosing the right socks for you depends on many factors, including foot shape, boot fit, activity level, and weather. Here are some things to consider:
Sock Height: Most ski socks are designed to be calf-length or below the knee. Some of the socks we tested were above the knee, but this design is rare. In general, ski socks should extend beyond the cuff of your ski boot to reduce wear on the cuff. Socks should be below the knee to avoid restricting leg movement.
Sock Thickness: One of my most memorable mistakes as a kid was when choosing clothes for cold-weather skiing. My logic was, “It’s cold—put on more socks.” So I put on two pairs of socks and went skiing. By midday, my feet were colder than ever. It wasn’t until I took off my boots and put on a second pair of socks that I felt all the blood rush to my feet. That’s when I realized I was cutting off circulation in my feet.
Lesson: The first rule is to wear only one pair of socks, preferably medium or light. Avoid wearing thick socks, which take up extra space in your shoes and tend to bunch up.
As we noted in our guide to choosing hiking socks, the extra fabric of a mid-weight sock can help your boots fit better if there’s extra room in the toe box. On the other hand, lightweight socks are a better choice for breathability, and we’ve found that they work best for boots with a performance fit, which more specialized skiers might want.
The heavier the sock, the better the cushioning, but the less you’ll feel the impact of the front of the boot. (Most people ski with the front of their boots.) In fact, most experienced skiers I’ve talked to say their boots are so tight that they need a super-thin pair of socks without any extra padding. But most people don’t need super-light socks, because they wear out faster than thicker socks.
This guide does not cover sock liners. As Bob Gleason of BootDoctors says, “Older generations still use liners and socks. [However,] multiple layers can absorb moisture and bunch up, causing discomfort. A smooth liner is the best option.”
Sock fit: Your feet speak for themselves. Feet are sensitive, and you’ll notice if a sock is too tight or if the seams are bulky and uncomfortable. Luckily, the vast majority of ski socks do a great job of reducing unnecessary bulk and aren’t too tight. However, you should try on your socks and ski boots before you hit the slopes.
Boot Fit: Socks are only part of the comfort of your feet while skiing. Any experienced skier will tell you that the most important thing is the boots. However, there is no reason to spend so much time and effort buying the perfect boots and not pair them with equally-appropriate ski socks. Ski socks can affect the fit and feel of your boots.
If you rent ski boots, the lining will eventually wear out from excessive wear. This may require slightly thicker socks. However, performance boots are usually designed to cover the foot, ankle, and calf, so they require a thinner sock. The main job of keeping you warm is going to be done by the ski boot liner (not the socks), so the socks we have chosen for most people are lightweight.
After extensive research, we have compiled a list of the 25 best ski socks. From this list, we selected 12 models for field testing based on the following criteria:
Material: Cotton socks are able to absorb moisture and sweat, so on cold days, cotton socks can quickly reduce your body temperature. On hot days, wearing cotton socks can make your feet sweat because they don’t absorb sweat well. That’s why in this guide, we don’t recommend cotton socks, but rather merino wool, a material that is the industry standard. Wool naturally reacts to your body temperature, cooling or warming your feet as needed. Wool also resists odor, so even if your feet get sweaty, they won’t stink.
Bob Gleason of BootDoctors tells us, “Socks are the most important element of the fit and comfort of ski boots. The best ski socks are those with a high Merino wool content, blended with elastane for a snug, snug fit. Merino wool wicks away moisture and provides warmth even when wet. Good socks are thin and hug the heel, instep, and calf. The best ski socks are ribbed-free. They have a smooth surface.”
The weave type and thread count play a role in determining the strength and durability of your merino wool ski socks. The highest-quality wool socks we tested had between 55 and 70 percent merino wool (the second most common material in most of the socks we tested was nylon). However, our favorite socks aren’t necessarily the ones with the most wool. If a sock has more than 50 percent wool, the wool content doesn’t seem to matter. Instead, we found that we cared more about the support and fit of the socks.
Breathability and sweat wicking: Due to the nature of the sport, ski socks get wet from snow and sweat. The sweat wicking properties of a sock depend on how well it moves moisture away from your skin. Any socks that trap heat and moisture in your feet will make you miserable, so we looked for brands that use high-quality merino wool and are breathable. We also looked at Amazon reviews to see if there were any comments about excessive foot sweating or poor ventilation.
Durability: Good ski socks should be gold-grade and withstand regular use season after season. I generally expect my ski socks to last at least three to five seasons—they’re more likely to get lost in the wash than to wear out. We looked for socks that were mentioned in reviews as being durable and long-lasting. Then, to test this aspect, we wore all of the ski socks in the test group at home and on the ski resort grounds before using them on the slopes. We also washed them in the washing machine a few times to see if they could withstand a little wear and tear. Some socks started to pill, which made us question their durability. Other socks looked almost new after a few weeks of wear.
Drying Time: Good ski socks should dry quickly, whether they are soaked with sweat or snow. I often place my socks next to the fire to dry (but not too close). We are looking for socks that dry quickly.
Odor control: Skiers often wear wool socks for days without washing them. It may not be ideal, but you can wear wool socks for days without worrying about them becoming odor-free. That’s why we look for socks that promise some odor control. Wool has the ability to absorb sweat, which naturally reduces odor. Many of the synthetic socks we tested have odor-control technologies that compensate for the shortcomings of wool.
Price: We’ve found that the best value right now is $30 or less — you won’t have to pay more than that for a good pair of ski socks. Outside of our budget options, we don’t think it’s worth buying socks under $15, as they’re likely not high-performance socks, meaning you’ll miss out on the specially designed lining, proper fit, and fleece structure.
Warranty: Some socks from brands like Darn Tough come with a lifetime warranty. While this warranty isn’t mandatory for ski socks, it’s a nice perk. We tested a few socks that didn’t have a significant warranty, but most of the socks on our list have robust warranty programs; depending on the brand, most can be easily and virtually replaced for free if they wear out or get damaged.
I judge how well socks fit based on first impressions and skiing in them. I tested moisture management by soaking the socks with a spray bottle and tracking how many times it took to soak the socks. I tested drying time by washing them together, drying them together in the sun, and checking the socks at regular intervals.
My partner and I skied for four days straight, spending over 25 hours on the slopes. To test all 12 models, we created a grouping system that allows us to compare similar models against each other and see which ones will advance to the next round. This process allows us to see in real time how each pair of socks compares to the next. Each day we test four models of socks, and on the final day we compare our two favorites against each other to determine the best.
At the base of the mountain, we took notes, recording the behavior of each pair of socks. After each pair of socks had been worn at least a few times (each pair was used for a full day of non-skiing activities and a full day on the mountain), we performed a sniff test to check for odor, and then washed them together to test for durability.
We first tested these socks in December 2017 while skiing on California’s Mammoth Mountain. We then completed testing on Mount Hood and Mount Batchelor in the Pacific Northwest in January 2018. In 2022–23, our testers also took the updated version to the slopes of Lake Tahoe during a truly frigid winter that saw more than 700 inches of snow fall on several peaks.
These socks are narrower than the men’s ones and provide the best combination of versatility, support and comfort.
After testing more than a dozen pairs of ski socks, the Smartwool Ski Over the Calf (available in men’s and women’s versions) topped our list of the best ski socks for most people. These lightweight socks offered the best combination of fit, warmth, support, and breathability in our test group.