Surprise! Good socks are one of the most important鈥攁nd overlooked鈥攅lements of your ski setup. The best ones are thin, hug your feet like gloves (no heel or toe bunching), and come up above your calf. Socks like this aren鈥檛 just more comfortable, they鈥檙e also warmer: Thick, heavily cushioned models restrict blood flow, causing toes to freeze.
We tested four pairs of ski socks during a seven-day hut trip, multiple prework skins, and hot laps at the resort. They鈥檙e all lightweight, calf-high, and made from a blend of merino wool and synthetic yarns. While they all performed well at the resort and in the backcountry, there were a few clear winners. Read on for our results, ranked from lowest to highest performance.
#4: Lorpen T3 Ski Superlight ($23)
Material: 38% Primaloft Eco polyester yarn, 37% merino wool, 15% nylon, 10% EA Lycra
The Verdict: The 10 percent Lycra weave made these the we tested. Made mostly from synthetics, Lorpen鈥檚 T3 Ski Superlight also wicked moisture faster than any other sock on this list. We liked them for single-lap skin trips at the resort, but the toe-box seam rubbed uncomfortably on long tours. These were also the least durable: We noticed pilling on the shin after only a few days of testing.
#3: Icebreaker Ski+ Compression Ultra Lite Over the Calf ($38)
Material: 55% merino wool, 41% nylon, 4% Lycra
The Verdict: These struck a great balance between compression and weight. They鈥檙e light enough to prevent bunching and keep your blood flowing yet structured enough to provide your muscles with some support. Testers appreciated the extra-tight fit at the Achilles while skiing down after a long tour, but the socks felt too constricting for some of us after more than five hours of wear.
#2: Fits Sock Ultra Light Ski OTC ($20)
Material: 49% merino wool, 37% nylon, 10% polyester, 4% Lycra
The Verdict:聽As the name promises, the 聽fit incredibly well and were the best choice for a 13-hour day skinning and hiking in Tuolumne Meadows. Credit the extra-deep, stretchy heel cup that completely eliminated bunching even on the longest days in the backcountry. This Fits style is the same length as the Icebreaker Ski+ Compression Ultra Lite but much less restrictive. You lose the benefits of compression but gain comfort during a long day on the slopes. Bonus: This is the least expensive pair in our test.
#1: SmartWool PhD Ski Light Socks ($24)
Material: 69% merino wool, 29% nylon, 2% elastane
The Verdict: The had the most forefoot cushioning of any sock we tested. Testers appreciated this softness during long tours in the backcountry and found it wasn鈥檛 so thick as to restrict circulation. These socks were the warmest of the bunch, which made them our go-to for days at the resort. We also loved the length: the Ski Lights hugged testers鈥 calves, while the other socks we tested were all a bit long and bunched behind the knee.