With the evolution of the ski boot and the insulating properties in factory or custom foamed liners, warmth is no longer the main responsibility of ski socks.
Much has been done to make the boots air and water tight, keeping the wind chill and melted snow off the feet. This in turn has given sock manufacturers much leniency to experiment with sock material and design to meet the goals of the modern ski sock - keep feet comfortable, keep feet dry, and give your feet the ability to feel the balance of your ski boots and bindings. Here's a look at some of the best ski socks available today.
SmartWool PhD Ski Socks
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The Smartwool PhD ski sock takes socks to a new degree. The PhD has a 4-Degree Fit System for performance fit, warmth, and durability. The merino wool promotes temperature control, wicks moisture, and controls odor. The sock over-the-calf, 78% wool, 21% nylon, 1% elastic, with medium cushioning.
Euro Ski Elite Socks
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The Euro Ski Elite sock is considered to be the first compression sock designed for skiing. It has a patented graduated Compression design which reduces leg fatigue and aids blood flow. These socks are made with Dryarn® purported to be the lightest yarn existing in nature. The combination of insulation and the wicking Microsupreme® with Nylon and Spandex build Euro’s acclaimed Moisture Management System.
Point6 Ski Socks
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Point6 - as in 98.6 - the optimal body temperature the warm socks help to maintain, ski socks come in ultra light, light and medium cushion and all OTC. I found these to be really OTC - over the calf - no cheating, good and long to stay up all day. These are non-itch merino wool with extra cushioning along the shin - relative to the ultra-light, light or medium models. Made with finer-grade merino wool that is compact spun and the high needle count makes for more stitching per inch giveing a more dense, durable sock and extra warm. I actually liked them better after a washing, maybe because I ball them up to travel.
SmartWool Light Ski Sock
The SmartWool light ski sock has light cushioning on the foot and shin while the rest of the sock remains thin for a performance fit. I liked skiing this model SmartWool sock, probably because while I like a tighter fitting boot, I can still take a little cushion here and there. As with all SmartWool socks the material is a blend of Merino wool, nylon and spandex, with more than 60% wool in the mix. The SmartWool fibers come from specially bred Merino sheep, grown and raised free range, in New Zealand. This model also comes in a women specific design.
SmartWool Skiing Medium
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The Skiing Med model has medium-cushioning in the foot and shin area and in the front and sole. It also features a 2x1 rib knit welt, flat knit back and side panel and also comes in a women specific design. I tried this sock in an off the shelf mid range recreational boot and it felt good - and surprisingly, it also felt the same in foamed boots maybe because of the positioning of the padding. SmartWool’s commitment to working with the natural Merino fibers and pursuing new engineering and design methods in an environmentally friendly manner has been widely recognized and commended.
SmartWool Skiing Ultra LT
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The SmartWool Skiing Ultra LT is a sheer, non-cushion sock with a flat toe seam and allows full feel in the ski boot. I liked the thin, no padding feel in custom foam liners but be forewarned - there is no padding. With factory liners don’t expect something to fill any small voids. If you like close-fitting boots, this is the SmartWool sock for you. SmartWool prides itself, and rightly so, for basically reinventing wool when wool was considered too itchy and water retentive for use as sock material for modern ski boots.
DeFeet Fre Ski Socks
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The DeFeet Fre model is made of a blend of Merino wools and is designed for all skiers. Unique to the Fré is a dense padding in the shin and foot area that is designed to fill any gaps in the boot liner. I skied the Fré with a recreational boot and factory liner and it was very comfortable, but the padding was too much fill for my custom foamed liners. The Fré also comes in a women specific design. The engineering involved has resulted in non-traditional knitting designs that puts DeFeet products on the cutting edge.
DeFeet Talon Ski Socks
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Talon is the thinnest sock in DeFeet’s ski line and is made from CoolMax®. For a race type boot the Talon will transmit every nuance directly from foot to ski boot. I found this sock was also the best suited for those boots with a custom foam liner and worked great for me. They also come in a women specific design. The Defeet skiing line of socks was developed with the input of World Cup champions. All models are designed with No-slip cuffs at the top, the patented Aireator mesh around the calf area for wicking out moisture, and all are virtually seamless in the toe pocket.
