Best Ski Socks of 2022

Updated on November 26, 2021

The best ski socks will not only make great difference to your comfort level, but they will also help improve your overall performance out on the mountains. Here at The Adventure Junkies we’ve done our research and can suggest the highest performing ski socks this season to our readers. In addition, we will ensure that you understand the importance of this frequently overlooked, yet crucial part of winter gear.

We tailor the socks suggested in this piece according to optimum comfort, design and performance — all while offering something unique that makes them stand out in different capacities for any lover of the mountains and snow sports. We also provide a list below of each product’s features and why they are important before considering any ski sock purchase.

For more of our top ski gear recommendations, check out the Best Long Underwear for Skiing. 

 

Quick Answer – The Best Ski Socks

Smartwool PhD MediumView at AmazonWigwam Snow SiroccoView at AmazonSmartwool Performance Zero Cushion OTCView at REIDarn Tough ThermoLite OTCView at AmazonDissent Ski GFXView at EvoIcebreaker Plus MedView at BackcountrySmartwool UltralightView at BackcountryPure Athlete High PerformanceView at AmazonDarn Tough Vermont 5 OTCView at AmazonZensah InfraredView at Amazon

 

Comparison Table – The Best Ski Socks

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Name	Best For	Thickness	Heated	Price	Rating	Review
Smartwool PhD Medium	Overall	Medium	No	$$	5.0	Read Review
Wigwam Snow Sirocco	Budget	Medium	No	$	4.0	Read Review
Smartwool Performance Zero Cushion OTC	Ultralight	Lightweight	No	$$	4.7	Read Review
Darn Tough ThermoLite OTC	High quality synthetic	Medium	No	$	4.5	Read Review
Dissent Ski GFX	Compression	Medium	No	$$$	4.4	Read Review
Icebreaker Plus Med	Overall	Medium	No	$$	4.8	Read Review
Smartwool Ultralight	Budget	Ultralight	No	$	4.3	Read Review
Pure Athlete High Performance	Overall	Lightweight	No	$$	4.4	Read Review
Darn Tough Vermont 5 OTC	Overall	Medium	No	$$	4.7	Read Review
Zensah Infrared	Comfort	Medium	Yes	$$	3.8	Read Review
Name	Best For	Thickness	Heated	Price	Rating	Review

 

Reviews – The Best Ski Socks

Smartwool PhD Medium

View Women’s Version

Specs

Best For: OverallHeated: NoThickness: Medium

BEST FOR RIDERS LOOKING FOR AN ALL ROUND HIGH PERFORMING SKI SOCK

KEY FEATURES: Uses two types of elastic to keep the sock in place

PROS: Mesh venting provides a unique breathable design, while maintaining anatomic fit

CONS: Light cushioned shin won’t provide the most protection

View at Amazon

Wigwam Snow Sirocco

View Women’s Version

Specs

Best For: BudgetHeated: NoThickness: Medium

BEST FOR BLUEBIRD CONDITIONS WHEN THERE IS LESS POWDER ON PISTE

KEY FEATURES: Comfortable due to wool design

PROS: Budget Friendly at an affordable price

CONS: Slips and folds easily which can cause blisters

View at Amazon

Smartwool Performance Zero Cushion OTC

Specs

Best For: UltralightHeated: NoThickness: Lightweight

BEST FOR ULTRALIGHT SKIERS

KEY FEATURES: Shred Shield™ technology helps reduce the wear caused by your toes, body-mapped mesh zones enhance breathability in areas where heat is prone to build up

PROS: Breathability

CONS: Poorer durability compared to thicker and heavier weight alternatives

 

View at REI

Darn Tough ThermoLite OTC

View Women’s Version

Specs

Best For: High quality syntheticHeated: NoThickness: Medium

BEST SYNTHETIC CHOICE

KEY FEATURES: Guaranteed for Life, undetectable seam fusion

PROS: Ventilation system

CONS: Cushioning underfoot is a bit prone to moisture retention

View at Amazon

Dissent Ski GFX

Specs

Best For: CompressionHeated: NoThickness: Medium

BEST COMPRESSION-STYLE SKI SOCK

KEY FEATURES: Memory and shape retention, seamless toe

PROS: Touring-specific compression design

CONS: Price

View at Evo

Icebreaker Plus Med

View Women’s Version

Specs

Best For: OverallHeated: NoThickness: Medium

BEST FOR ALL DAY MOUNTAIN USE, WITH NO STINK AT THE END OF THE DAY

KEY FEATURES: Designed with odor resistant materials

PROS: Cushioned shin and toes

CONS: Extra padding and thickness create a tighter, less flexible fit

View at Backcountry

Smartwool Ultralight

Specs

Best For: BudgetHeated: NoThickness: Ultralight

BEST FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE SKI SOCK FOR AN AFFORDABLE PRICE

KEY FEATURES: Made with two elastic to keep the sock perfectly in place during heavy use

PROS: Top performers in the ultralight range of socks, designed for the maximum anatomical fit

CONS: Ultralight cushion does not offer the best protection against boot sores

View at Backcountry

Pure Athlete High Performance

Specs

Best For: OverallHeated: NoThickness: Lightweight

BEST FOR WARMTH IN THE COLDEST CONDITIONS

KEY FEATURES: Fusion of two fabrics creates a constant enhanced warmth

PROS: Arch support to reduce fatigue in this area

CONS: Not as flexible due to focused protection areas

View at Amazon

Darn Tough Vermont 5 OTC

Specs

Best For: OverallHeated: NoThickness: Medium

BEST FOR THICK SOCKS TO PROTECT YOU IN HEAVY SNOW CONDITIONS

KEY FEATURES: Created in temperatures of -40 degrees in Vermont with a focus on warmth

PROS: Lifetime Guarantee, if sock fails within first 8 weeks they will replace

CONS: They will create too much heat on warmer days

View at Amazon

Zensah Infrared

Specs

Best For: ComfortHeated: YesThickness: Medium

BEST FOR A NATURAL HEATED SKI SOCK, NO APPS OR BATTERIES REQUIRED

KEY FEATURES: Designed with materials that produce natural infrared rays to create warmth

PROS: A far more affordable heated sock design

CONS: While more affordable than Lenz’s heated sock, they are still quite expensive

View at Amazon

 

 

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST SKI SOCKS

 

COMPRESSION

Many ski socks are now designed with compression in mind, squeezing the important muscles to improve comfort and performance. The purpose of any high-performance ski sock is to improve your blood flow and feet circulation. This not only improves warmth but will also reduce muscle fatigue. Typically compression ski socks will be made using nylon to create a tight fit. The only downside to consider is that compression socks do not have the same soft texture as regular ski socks. This is due to their intensive design.

 

VENTILATION

As all seasoned mountain adventurers can tell you, ventilation is vital to feeling comfortable. Many ski salopettes and jackets are made with zippers to increase the cool air flow to your body when exercising. Well made ski socks will also consider this factor. Feet can get wet and form blisters and sores from snow getting into your ski and snowboarding boots, they also get wet from your feet sweating in socks that are too thick. Aim to find socks that feel breathable.

 

SHIN PADDING

Shin padding is the extra form of defence against the common red marks and bruises that form on your shins after a day out on the mountains. No matter the skis or snowboards you select, and regardless of the quality of the bindings, all riders experience these red marks without proper protection and padding. Finding socks that offer a layer of thin padding incorporated in their design will provide this prevention to discomfort, that can ultimately affect your ability to stay out of the slopes as long as you want to.

 

WARMTH

While most people would assume a thick sock would result in the warmest feet, different types of wool and textiles can effect this norm. Compression plays a big factor, with some brands of compression socks proving warmer results than their thick designed competitors. Another new type of ski sock is the heated ski sock, designed to heat the feet via a controllable app that works effectively on command, like a foot or handwarmer. When it comes to factors to look for when buying gear, keeping your feet warm in icy conditions will always be essential.

 

LENGTH

An ideal ski sock is both above your ski boot, but below your knee. If your sock is too long, it will make folds around your knee joints. A short sock will allow your boots to wear on your skin. Both factors will cause some rather uncomfortable riding.

 

GENDER SPECIFIC

While the majority of ski socks are sold as unisex, you can find women’s ski socks with unique features to support the female anatomy. For example, the sock is typically shorter due to the difference in leg length between genders. When it comes to looking for a comfortable fit all around, considering the socks specific gender can prove beneficial.

 

WEIGHT

Ski socks will mainly be labelled in one of three common categories. These are: ultralight, lightweight and midweight.

 

ULTRALIGHT

Ultralight socks are becoming increasingly popular on the mountains. Socks have been getting thinner and thinner over the decades, with the aim to create breathable attire with a perfect anatomical fit that will additionally fit perfectly into your boots. Ultralight brands offer a tight compression with the aim to increase your ankle stability, enabling you to tackle the trickiest of on or off piste endeavours. Be it in thick powder or icy moguls.

 

LIGHTWEIGHT

Purchasing a lightweight ski sock is ideal for the rider who wants to upgrade his gear, without breaking the bank. All the technology and design that goes into ultralight socks results in an expensive product with the majority of brands. Lightweight socks offer the same design considerations but with a slightly thicker approach and not as much focus on the anatomical benefits. This typically will result in a more affordable ski sock.

 

MID-WEIGHT

Mid-weight socks are the thickest of the three, with extra cushioning provided for riders who are keen to log in hours on the mountain but want the most protection to their lower leg and feet. Rather than just the shin, mid-weight socks often offer a cushioned padding to the forefeet and heels as well. These are also great for freestyle riders for suffer many knocks and bruises while learning and mastering new manoeuvres.

 

GENERAL FIT

As outlined in all of the features above, the overall comfort and fit of your ski socks are crucial. Additional factors can include the thickness of the sock and its mobility. Finding a compression sock can be great for feeling warm and improving blood flow but if it is so tight you can’t move your ankle freely it may be time to consider another type of ski sock.

 

TYPE OF SOCK

 

TUBE SOCKS

The most basic and budget-friendly ski and snowboard sock available is the tube sock. These socks are elasticated to prevent them falling down your legs, offering a more simple comfort. The main downside of these socks is that they won’t feature a specific design for each individual left or right foot. They rarely offer a gender specific design trait such as a shorter leg length. However, they are arguably the best choice for someone looking to try skiing or snowboarding for the first time, who isn’t looking to practice regularly.

 

ERGONOMIC SOCKS

Ergonomic socks are the socks that regularly include many of the features listed above. Not only are they shaped anatomically, but they will feature a specific design for each foot for ultimate comfort and performance. They have specific shaping took into consideration around the arch, instep, toes and ankle. These are the socks to choose if you are seeking the potential for a big difference in your ability on the slopes.

 

READ MORE

For more of our top skiing gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer’s guides:

Downhill Skis

Ski Boots

Ski Bindings

Ski Poles

Ski Pants

Ski Jackets

Ski Goggles

Ski Helmets

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