What Kind of Socks to Wear for Skiing?

Socks may be the last thing to think about when gearing up for snowboarding or skiing. They are often overlooked and underrated in their importance to maintain a great deal of comfort and warmth. However, they are a crucial piece of gear.

Cold feet can be extremely dangerous.

Socks for ski OR snowboarding are not just about comfort but also about the necessity to be able to enjoy skiing and excel at it. Finding the right socks is something you should take very seriously in order to get a high level of comfort, warmth and performance on the slopes. There are a few basic features to take in consideration when choosing the right pair of socks for your ski wear. Here are some important aspects to start with:

• Stick to one pair of socks. Do not wear socks under ski socks.
• Have a clean pair of socks every day.
• Wear fit socks. They should be fitted enough to keep the cold air out without cutting of your circulation.

 

If you want to keep your feet warm and comfortable inside your ski boots, it is especially important to invest in proper ski socks. Make sure to have multiple pair of socks, after all, you do not want to do laundry in your ski vacation but be as much as possible on the slopes. Here are a few things you need to know about ski socks.

1. Choose Thinner Socks

There is no secret that behind warm feet lies the kind of socks that you wear. Your feet are sweating even in the cold and wearing thick socks or multiple layers will hold all the sweat and moisture close to your feet, making you colder. There are different weights in ski socks:

• Thinner Ski Socks

You might be surprised to find out that thin socks keep your feet much warmer on a skiing day. Choosing a thinner sock will enable you to have more space inside your ski boot and will ensure a good blood circulation in your feet. Made of the right materials, a thin sock will keep you warm with no problem.

• Midweight Winter Socks

Midweight ski socks have additional thickness and offer more padding in the heel and toes. Across the top of the foot, they have a thinner construction to keep a good blow flow. A pair of socks like this will keep you dry and insulated with the right amount of warmth and movement inside your boots.

• Heavyweight Socks For Skiing

These are usually the thicker and more padded kind of socks. Heavyweight socks offer more cushion and comfort making them ideal for beginner skiers, recreational snowboarders or people who feel they have cold feet in particular.

2. Check out the Fabric Material

Ski socks are made of specific fabric materials that are meant to keep the moisture away and the warmth inside.

The performance of the socks is given by the type of fabric. Better quality fabric, better comfort and better moisture-wicking. There are different materials used like nylon, polyester, and acrylic as well as natural fibers like merino wool.

• Synthetic Materials

Polyester, Nylon, Acrylic, Elastic, Lycra, Spandex, Polyamide, Elastane are some examples of synthetic materials.

They have great moisture wicking properties and can retain their shape even after use. Polyester is for comfort; Nylon is for durability and Acrylic is many times used as a substitute for wool. These fabric materials also have a soft touch being nice and warm.

• Merino Wool

Merino Wool is a natural fiber, incredibly soft and odor resistant. This material is especially good at keeping your body at a stable temperature. It has the propriety of condensing moisture vapors inside the fiber giving off heat.

Another great thing about this fabric is the elastic properties that make it wrinkle resistant, so you don’t need to worry about socks bunching up.  Merino Wool is also breathable keeping your feet dry and comfortable.

• Synthetic Blends

Synthetic materials are combined because of their great features such as keeping the fit in the sock, being durable and antibacterial materials. Blended synthetic materials offer the best of both worlds the qualities of one fabric canceling the weakness of the other. Ski socks made of combined synthetic materials are a great option if you are allergic to wool or have very sensitive skin.

3. Decide the Size & Shape

Size and shape are key factors in feeling comfortable while skiing all day. When you are searching for the right sock, you want a sock that is snug and fits well. Since there are different types of socks it is important to know the difference between them so you can choose the types and shapes (there are even wool toe socks) that fits you best.

• Size of Your Socks

Size is very important for your comfort and performance while skiing. A too large sock can bunch up, while a sock that is too small can feel tight and restrictive. In order to find out your right size, it is enough to know your foot length and your shoe size. You don’t need to have an exact size since socks are stretchy. You just need to use your foot or shoe size to get the pair that fits you. Another thing you can do is to make sure what size system is used by the brand of socks you are interested in.

• Tube Shape

Tube socks have a very basic shape with no difference between left and right foot and they are often not gender specific. They are long and have an elastic band to prevent them bunching up inside your boots. Because they are simple and affordable, tube socks can be a good option for people who occasionally go to ski.

• Ergonomic Shape

Ergonomic socks provide comfort as well as performance. They are made to fit perfectly your foot and their design makes a distinction between right and left foot. Another great feature in them is the angle front part that is designed to accommodate the exact length of big toes and the little toe having a specific shape of your foot.

Summary of Kinds of Ski Socks

Socks are something worth investing in as they have such an important role in your winter comfort. A great skiing experience is also about comfortable feet. Ski socks for guys or girls are a crucial piece of gear for getting the most out of your time on the mountain. When choosing the right pair of socks, you should consider a balance between warmth and breathability, between the performance of the fabric and shape

When choosing the right pair of socks, you should consider a balance between warmth and breathability, between the performance of the fabric and shape. Having happy and comfortable feet will help you stay on the slopes longer and have lots of fun.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fred Felton          

Content Creator / Editor

Fred Felton is a copywriter, editor and social media specialist based in Durban, South Africa. He has over 20 years of experience in creating high end content. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. Currently Fred specialises in the winter outdoors space, focussing on skiing and snowboarding. He is also a keynote speaker and has presented talks and workshops in South Africa.