Ski Socks

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BogleFed
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Ski Socks

Post by BogleFed »

Taking the family on our first ski trip next week. What are the best socks to wear under ski boots? I initially thought wool for warmth and wicking, but I read elsewhere thin socks made of synthetic material. Suggestions?
Living Free
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by Living Free »

I've been wearing bombas calf length merino wool socks when snowboarding. I board in NH and VT (just NH this season due to covid) and don't use toe warmers. So they do the job for me.
pb1996
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by pb1996 »

Wool or synthetic material is ideal. Socks specifically meant for skiing are ideal. The less experienced you are and the more you are using a rental boot, the more room there might be in the boot to get away with a thicker sock. The more advanced you are (and when you are buying your own boots), the more likely you will want a boot that is so snug you can't fit anything but a super thin sock in there.
qwerty123
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by qwerty123 »

I agree with Living Free - I always wear calf length merino wool socks, and never have needed toe warmers.
anon3838
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by anon3838 »

I like Stance.
ohboy!
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by ohboy! »

Common mistake is to wear two pairs. I like those popular ones, what are they called... googles...smart wool. Good fitting boots go a long way.
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novolog
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by novolog »

Smartwoold PhD socks, I think they are designed for skiing.

https://www.smartwool.com/shop/phd%C2%A ... s-sw001194
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pb1996
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by pb1996 »

I wear Point 6 - similar to smartwool. I grew up wearing 2 pairs of cotton socks (the absolute worst thing you can do). Avoid double socks, avoid cotton. But if you are getting rental boots and are beginners, medium cushioned wool socks without seams will likely work fine - rental boots for beginners tend to be too roomy for super thin socks.
dbr
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by dbr »

For hiking I use a thin synthetic liner sock and a thicker wool sock and for skiing a single wool-wool blend sock branded for skiing. Two layers of thicker socks don't work. I can't imagine a thin sock only in any kind of winter boots, ski or otherwise, except maybe some specialist situation in competitive cross country. Even then it would be more like this: https://the-raceplace.com/collections/ski-socks My experience with SmartWool socks is that they are excellent for sports and available in various weights. The complaint is they always seem to me to be undersized and too tight and get tighter with use. They can shrink if not washed carefully. Lately I prefer alternate brands to SmartWool.

Mainly wool composition is the only sock material you want and Merino is great.

Be sure boots are sized to fit with socks and/or socks are chosen at a weight to fit boots.
Last edited by dbr on Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
jayk238
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by jayk238 »

BogleFed wrote: Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:29 am Taking the family on our first ski trip next week. What are the best socks to wear under ski boots? I initially thought wool for warmth and wicking, but I read elsewhere thin socks made of synthetic material. Suggestions?
For skiing we use wool. The best is icebreaker. I would go w those.
livesoft
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by livesoft »

For me, acrylic is the only sock material I want. It has wool-like properties except it dries much much faster.
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JayDee37
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by JayDee37 »

Oh, I'm jealous!

First, make sure that the socks are long (tall?) enough to extend all the way to the top of the boot.

I like synthetic, personally. Wool gets soggy and smells like wet dog in the car on the way home.

Pro-tip: Numb toes/feet can be caused by nerve compression due to ill-fitting boots (rather than by cold). The nerve compression can be happening in the calf or in the bridge of the foot. If someone in your party ends up experiencing consistent issues with their feet or toes going numb, it might be worth heading back to the rental shop to get a different pair of boots, or some advice about how loosely or tightly to buckle the various buckles.

Have fun!
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phinanciallyfit
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by phinanciallyfit »

BogleFed wrote: Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:29 am Taking the family on our first ski trip next week. What are the best socks to wear under ski boots? I initially thought wool for warmth and wicking, but I read elsewhere thin socks made of synthetic material. Suggestions?
Somewhat thin is better, but wool is great. I like smartwool and darn tough socks (DTS has a great warranty). You can get light versions of both of these rather than super thick wools socks. Also, we always use foot warmers when it is especially cold (I'm prone to super cold toes, as is my 6yo) and I find they are a bit uncomfortable to stand on for prolonged periods. We have some family who work at a ski resort and last year provided us with the wisdom of putting the foot warmers on the top of your foot rather than on the soles and oh, what a difference it makes. Have fun!
shunkman
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by shunkman »

I agree that wearing two pairs of socks is best. I use a thin wool liner sock and then a thicker wool sock over the liners. For some reason the extra layer, even though it is thin, adds a lot of warmth. And I never had a problem with odor. Sometimes I'll wear the outer socks several days in a row without washing.
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khangaroo
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by khangaroo »

DARN TOUGH SOCKS!!!!

Best pair of socks I've ever owned and I'm never going back to anything else. They are spendy at ~$25/pair but they are guaranteed for life. I currently have several pairs of the hiking/work socks and used them for snowboarding/cross country skiing and absolutely no issues with cold.

They also make a specific skiing sock but I haven't tested those out. If they're anything like their other socks then you are in good hands (or should I say feet).

I actually heard about these socks on this forum. I think it was in a thread about life style creep or things you splurge on. Not gonna lie, my friends and family look at me like I'm a crazy person when I say I spent $25 on ONE PAIR of socks but they are worth every single penny.
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6miths
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by 6miths »

Thorlo currently has a sale on winter socks including their ski socks. https://thorlo.com/

I wear their tennis socks for everyday for many years and family has worn their ski socks and found them excellent. Agree that I prefer acrylic to wool but Thorlo offers both as well as hybrids I think.
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Topic Author
BogleFed
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by BogleFed »

Thanks all. I just got a couple pairs of thinner wool Smartwool socks. I’m going to try these and a thicker wool pair on the trip.
getthatmarshmallow
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by getthatmarshmallow »

Smartwool is great, but any decent merino blend will work. The main thing: only one pair of socks, and no cotton.
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nativenewenglander
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by nativenewenglander »

I use Smartwool Socks, I have several pair, but love the merino wool as I can wear them several days with no smell.
I ski mainly in northern NH, not that it matters, but find my feet are never cold. I use Kinco leather Mittens which I like also very warm and $37.00 a pair.
Enjoy your ski trip.
dbr
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by dbr »

I don't necessarily agree with the "no two socks" advice in the case of sock liners. I do agree not to simply double up ordinary socks.

A sock liner is a thin, usually polypropylene or other synthetic, that wicks moisture from the skin, provides a comfortable face to skin, and tends to prevent blisters. People may more favor them in hiking than in ski boots. With modern blend materials and flexible comfortably fitting ski shoes the liner may matter less.
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jabberwockOG
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by jabberwockOG »

If you are renting, pay extra for the higher quality newer boots. A good high quality boot will keep your feet warm and provide a firm but not tight fit (for good fine motor control of the boot) with a relatively thin to medium wool or acrylic sock.
matti
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by matti »

novolog wrote: Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:41 am Smartwoold PhD socks, I think they are designed for skiing.

https://www.smartwool.com/shop/phd%C2%A ... s-sw001194
I'm not a skier but I wear these socks for all of my winter running. Calf-length socks for the win!
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White Coat Investor
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by White Coat Investor »

BogleFed wrote: Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:29 am Taking the family on our first ski trip next week. What are the best socks to wear under ski boots? I initially thought wool for warmth and wicking, but I read elsewhere thin socks made of synthetic material. Suggestions?
Just wear cotton basketball socks. Use the same ones you drove to the resort in. Let us know how it goes. :)

Seriously, anything but that is fine. And put them on just before you put the boots on.

I prefer some wool socks of medium thickness. Just one pair.
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Independent George
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Re: Ski Socks

Post by Independent George »

I will only ever buy Darn Tough socks from now on.

Yes, they're expensive (the cheapest ones are $18). They're still worth it. They are by the most comfortable and durable socks I've ever owned, and they come with a lifetime guarantee; when they wear out, you can send them back, and they will replace them. Just don't lose them in the wash.
khangaroo wrote: Wed Feb 17, 2021 12:17 pm I actually heard about these socks on this forum. I think it was in a thread about life style creep or things you splurge on. Not gonna lie, my friends and family look at me like I'm a crazy person when I say I spent $25 on ONE PAIR of socks but they are worth every single penny.
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