We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Activity + Adventure Winter Sports The 6 Best Ski Socks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed These are the best ski socks for hitting slopes in comfort. By Anna Popp Anna Popp Anna Popp is a New York-based commerce writer at Travel + Leisure covering all of the best travel products, from luggage to outdoor gear. She has been a travel writer and product tester for over five years. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 18, 2024 Comments In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Our Testing Process Tips For Buying FAQ You Might Also Want Why Trust T+L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Marcus Millan Investing in the right gear for skiing is extremely important for having a positive experience on the slopes. Our expert skiers here at Travel + Leisure have been skiing for decades, so trust us when we say that ski socks are one of the most important items to invest in for a successful ski season. Ski boots are inherently uncomfortable, so having a pair of ski-specific socks can really make or break your skiing experience. Skiing is an expensive sport to begin with, but getting a pair of ski-specific socks is one of the best (and most affordable) investments you can make into the sport. We asked our seasoned skiers to recommend their favorite socks and used our extensive knowledge of the winter sport to share tips and tricks for buying socks. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Smartwool Targeted Cushion Over-the-calf Socks at Amazon $28 Jump to Review Most Durable: Darn Tough Women's Midweight Ski & Snowboard Sock at Amazon $29 Jump to Review Best Value: Eurosocks Merino Wool Supreme Socks at Amazon $22 Jump to Review Most Versatile: Smartwool Ski Zero Cushion Socks at Amazon $29 Jump to Review Best Moisture-wicking: Stance Performance Wool Snow OTC Socks at Stance.com Jump to Review Best Lightweight: Stio All-Mountain Lightweight Ski Sock at Stio.com Jump to Review Best Overall Smartwool Targeted Cushion Over-the-calf Socks PHOTO: Smartwool $28 at Amazon $14 at REI $28 at Dicks Sporting Goods Why We Love It The socks have the perfect balance of cushioning and breathability. What to Consider They might be too warm for spring skiing. These Smartwool socks are our go-to pair for hitting the slopes, whether skiing or snowboarding. While we would normally steer clear of a sock with cushioning for skiing, this pair has a unique design with just a little bit of extra cushioning in targeted areas of the foot where the most impact is felt while skiing. The socks have a bit of thickness in the ball of the foot, the heel, and the shin for comfort without sacrificing the performance aspect of ski socks. Smartwool made sure to include all the usual traits to look for in a technical ski sock like mesh zones to keep the socks breathable, a wide welt at the top of the sock for added comfort, and we can’t forget about the merino wool blend materials that naturally wick moisture and prevent odor. We’ve been wearing this ski sock for quite some time and year after year, they remain in top-tier condition, so the long lifespan is a huge plus to consider as well. The Details: S to XL | Merino wool, nylon, elastane | Targeted cushion Most Durable Darn Tough Women's Midweight Ski & Snowboard Sock PHOTO: Darn Tough $29 at Amazon $29 at Darntough.com View on Gobros.com Why We Love It The seamless toe and reinforced Achilles cushioning make this sock ultra-durable to withstand the test of time. What to Consider The medium cushioning might be too thick for some skiers. We’ve been wearing these Darn Tough ski socks for years on end, so we can confirm that they live up to their name for being incredibly durable. The socks are knitted in Vermont, and we’re big fans of the company’s ethos of being thoughtfully made in the U.S. with durability and sustainability top of mind. While we love the sock brand as a whole, we think these make the perfect ski socks for those looking for a sock with a little extra cushioning for comfort. The midweight sock has just the right amount of extra thickness in the toe, heel, and bottom to provide arch support and reinforce the spots that might wear out easily. The socks also have a seamless toe for added comfort. And the best part is that Darn Tough has an “unconditional lifetime guarantee,” so the brand will replace your socks if they aren’t up to snuff. The Details: S to L | Merino wool, nylon, Lycra | Medium cushion Best Value Eurosocks Merino Wool Supreme Socks PHOTO: Eurosock $22 at Amazon View on Eurosock.com Why We Love It After a decade of use, they still look as good as new. What to Consider They could be more breathable. With more than 10 years of use, these Eurosocks still look like we purchased them yesterday. Ski socks can be unexpectedly expensive (as is all ski gear), so the fact that these ring in under $25 makes them even more valuable for skiers. Made with 40 percent merino wool and the rest being nylon and spandex, these socks are extremely lightweight and lightly cushioned with just a bit of padding on the ball of the foot, heel, and shin. Plus, the sizes range from extra small to extra large, which means there are a variety of size options to choose from, unlike some ski socks on the market. Our only critique is that there could be a bit more ventilation, but other than that, we recommend picking up one (or two) pairs of these ski socks. The Details: XS to XL | Merino wool, nylon, Lycra | Light cushion The 13 Best Ski Jackets for Women of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Most Versatile Smartwool Ski Zero Cushion Socks PHOTO: Smartwool $29 at Amazon $29 at Zappos View on Smartwool.com Why We Love It The lightweight performance socks are ideal for activities beyond just skiing. What to Consider These are thin socks and don’t offer any cushioning. These second skin-like socks from Smartwool are perfect for tight ski boots, as they are extremely thin and don’t have any cushioning. While it’s ultimately a personal preference, these thin socks are intended for skiing with technical features like a wide welt for comfort and security, mesh zones for breathability, and a reinforced toe for longevity. We’ve worn the socks for skiing and loved the thin yet warm, moisture-wicking design of the sock, but we also like wearing them for other activities like horseback riding, ice skating, and hiking. The overall design of the sock makes it the perfect performance footwear for various rigorous activities, so we’re big fans of the versatility of the Smartwool socks. The Details: S to XL | Merino wool, nylon, elastane | No cushion Best Moisture-wicking Stance Performance Wool Snow OTC Socks PHOTO: Stance View on Stance.com Why We Love It The socks are made with the brand’s FreshTek technology to combat sweaty and stinky feet. What to Consider They aren’t as durable as other pairs of socks on this list. Skiing is a workout, so it’s more likely than not you’ll get off the slopes with some sweaty feet. We recommend these ski socks from Stance for having superior moisture-wicking and odor-blocking technology. Although wool naturally combats sweaty and stinky feet, Stance’s FreshTek finish specifically ensures your feet don’t smell bad or feel wet after a day of skiing. The socks also boast technical features like performance mesh for airflow and a seamless toe for comfort. We did notice some pilling in high friction areas of the sock, so they seem slightly less durable than other pairs of socks we’ve tried. The Details: S to L | Merino wool, nylon, polyester, elastane | No cushion Best Lightweight Stio All-Mountain Lightweight Ski Sock PHOTO: Stio View on Stio.com Why We Love It The wool and synthetic blend is thin without sacrificing warmth and comfort. What to Consider The sizes are limited. Jackson Hole-based Stio makes our favorite lightweight ski sock that makes it easy to slip in and out of a ski boot. The merino and synthetic blend material is on the thinner side so the socks feel like second skin, which is ideal for those who have tight-fitting ski boots. The socks have a slight bit of compression for comfort and a secure fit, and the merino wool offers all the qualities we look for in a warm, moisture-wicking ski sock. The brand only offers two sizes for this style, so we recommend taking a peek at the size guide to gauge which size range works best for you. The Details: S/M to L/XL | Merino wool, nylon, Lycra | Light cushion Our Testing Process To recommend the best ski socks, we turned to our expert skiers on our T+L team to pick their brains about why they love their ski socks. Our teammates have been on the slopes for decades, and after compiling their recommendations and notes for each sock, we completed thorough research to make sure we highlighted all the best aspects of each pair of socks and noted why they might be better for some skiers versus others. We’ll continue to update this article when our editors test out new socks as the season progresses. Tips for Buying Ski Socks Avoid heavyweight socks Similar to all rigorous activities, a pair of regular socks won’t work well for skiing. It’s important to get a pair of ski-specific socks that are designed with snow sports top of mind because it will make a difference. For instance, it’s super important to opt for a pair or lightly or zero cushioned socks to avoid discomfort while skiing. Thicker socks will change the fit of the boot and cause it to be tighter, which can affect blood flow and warmth to the feet. The socks also need to be calf-length or higher so they won’t slip into the boot. Check the size chart The fit of the socks is extremely important as well, since it can play a huge role in how comfortable your experience is in a ski boot. Ski socks should be tight but not too tight that blood flow could be compromised, meaning you’ll likely experience cold feet. If socks are too loose, they will bunch, which can cause rubbing and redness. Luckily, most brands have size charts on their websites for matching your shoe size to the right size sock. Consider the materials Most ski-specific socks have wool blended into the material since wool has natural abilities to wick moisture away, regulate temperature, and control stinky odors. A lot of ski socks are made with about 50 percent wool with the rest being synthetic materials. If you’re curious about the materials, the brand almost always lists the material percentages in the description. Frequently Asked Questions Should I size up or down for ski socks? Ideally, you would get the right size sock that matches your shoe size, but if you happen to be in between, opt for the smaller sock. It’s better to have a slightly more snug fit rather than a loose one with material that could bunch up in a ski boot. Can I ski with normal socks? While you can ski with regular socks, we highly recommend investing in a pair of ski-specific ones. Ski boots can be wildly uncomfortable, especially if you don’t ski often, so wearing a pair of socks that were designed for ski boots can make your experience much more comfortable. Ski socks have a performance design with targeted enhancements for combatting discomfort, sweat, and odor, so it’s worth it to get a pair before your ski trip. How many pairs of ski socks do I need? One of the best parts of buying a pair of wool ski socks is that they have properties that make it possible to wear them for more than just one day of skiing. Of course, washing them between wears is ideal, but if you don’t have access to a washing machine on a ski trip, wool naturally wicks moisture and repels odor, so you can get away with wearing them more than once. However, just to be on the safe side, you should bring several pairs of ski socks on a trip, just in case something happens. Are ski and snowboard socks the same? Ski and snowboard socks are essentially the same and can be used interchangeably in most cases. While ski boots and snowboard boots are designed differently, as they attach to different pieces of gear, they are pretty similar in fit and size. The main factor you'll want to consider is the thickness of your socks. For example, socks that are ideal for snowboarding should be a little thicker because snowboard boots often fit slightly looser than ski boots. Heavier cushioning is also better for colder conditions, while lighter cushioning is smart when you won't be somewhere too cold or you prefer to feel the terrain underfoot. Ultimately, this will be a matter of personal preference. You Might Also Want Hitting the slopes soon? Grab this other gear to stay warm and comfortable while you ski or snowboard. Swany X-cell Men's Gloves: We chose these as our favorite men's ski gloves because they're extremely comfortable, have impressive insulation, and are made with leather that looks and feels great. They are also completely waterproof and stand up to cold and wet elements like nothing else we've seen. Kari Traa Rose Half Zip Base Layer Top: This merino wool thermal top impressed us with its temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant properties. You can also purchase matching bottoms that come in cute Norwegian-inspired designs. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Anna Popp is an associate editor at T+L, where she writes most of the team’s tested content. She grew up ski racing in Bend, Oregon and spent every weekend in the winter training on Mt. Bachelor. Anna recommended a pair of ski socks she swears by and consulted other ski experts at T+L to compile this list of the best ski socks. The Ultimate Ski Trip Packing List and Expert Tips for the Mountain Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Jackie Cucco Jackie Cucco Jackie Cucco is a Commerce Testing Editor at Travel + Leisure, where she assigns, edits, and writes travel-related product reviews based on in-depth product testing. She previously worked as a travel agent, has a Master’s degree in journalism, and has over six years of experience creating gift guides and writing about various products. She has made over 100 TV appearances discussing consumer products and shopping trends. learn more Updated by Anne Taylor Anne Taylor Anne Taylor is a commerce updates writer at Travel + Leisure where she keeps articles fresh and up to date. As an avid traveler who has been to 23 countries, she is always testing new products to make her trips even better. She has a bachelor’s degree in news media and has been a writer and editor for over seven years. learn more