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Ironically, right before these showed up, I had just purchased a pair of Smartwool ski socks for each of my three ladies. I wanted them to be equipped properly on the mountain no matter the conditions. I suppose we are now all ready to go explore the Colorado slopes.
Skiing is expensive! Skis, boots, lift passes, lodging, outer apparel, base layers, etc. etc. etc. In many instances, the socks can be an afterthought. Despite that, they are an oh-so-important element to determine if you’ll have a great day on the slopes, or one full of misery. I have kids who’ve complained about anything you can think of on the mountain. That said, not a ski day goes by when they aren’t complaining about something having to do with their feet which usually means that they are too cold, too tight, or something just isn’t right.
The three pairs I am taking to task are all made with a mix of over 50% wool, about 30% recycled nylon, 10% nylon, and 3% elastane. Targeted cushioning scores are given to these socks. I believe that to have been done by the fine folks at Smartwool. They are intricately familiar with all the details, so they should know. However, I will give them my own ratings based on what I’ve experienced. Furthermore, they have been given 20% more stretch for those with fuller calves, or if you just want some more give.
Laguna Blue Ski TC OTC REC
I kind of had to laugh, because these Laguna Blue socks have been given a targeted cushioning score of 1 out of 5. My rating would have put them in the mid range of at least 3. I feel that these have appropriate padding and cushioning in all the necessary spots for an athletic ski sock. The ball, the toes, the heel, and shin have a nice thicker material blend of wool and nylon to provide some support and relief from the rigors of skiing. No one has ever said ski boots are comfortable, but with the right fit, they should work. These play a nice role to take away some of the pressures from a long day in a stiff and rigid boot.
In addition, their thickness meant I did wear these when the temperatures were on the cold side. Check them out HERE
MOSS Ski SZ Logo OTC
This ‘Moss’ sock is sleeker and more nimble if you can even say that about a sock. If minimal socks in your boots is what you want, I’d go for these. The merino wool still provides a warm layer throughout. Plus, there is that little extra bit of layering going on above the toes. I really like these for those totally average days where the temperatures are in the 20’s or 30’s. Reason being, that I want a snug fit for my feet, ankles, and shins with my boot. Minimal padding enhances that good-fit feel to being able to control my boots which in turn controls my skis.
It’s been given a targeted cushioning of 0 our of 5, which I suppose is fine. We always look for padding and comfort, but depending on your boot fit, you may not need or want that.
Black S TC Trickster Print OTC
I have affectionately called these my totem pole ski socks with the seahawk-like logo. Again, my rating would bump these up from a 1 out of 5 to at least a 2 or maybe even a 3! The shin, toes, and heel do have extra thickness for comfort and/or heat.
These were the Smartwool Ski socks I wore my first day out when the temperatures were hovering around 0 degrees. We didn’t stay out too long. Hence, I can’t really speak to their all day warmth capabilities, but they did the job while out there. Check them out HERE for more details and purchase.
Socks On The Slopes
Reviewing socks really only have a few items of importance to discuss. In all reality, when it comes to testing gear, ski socks are kind of hard to quantify. The important things are that they fit properly, keep your feet and toes warm, allow for breathability, and don’t cause any unnecessary rubbing or bunching.
My first day out in these was November 25th in Breckenridge. Now November skiing is not known for its epic days, but any day skiing is always better than one without. The temperature was in the low single digits. No sock can keep you warm during a day like that, so this particular day isn’t about the amazing qualities that can combat that kind of cold. It was actually driven by my girls, and we could only manage 2-3 runs at a time before a hot chocolate break had to be called. That said, I never got cold feet. My face nearly froze off, but that’s another story.
The stretch is good. With my larger than average calves, I would even lean it slightly towards a compression sock. And I mean that in a good way. The top elastic is great at keeping them in place, so no sagging occurs.
Final Thoughts On The Smartwool Ski Socks
I place a solid performance value on these ski socks. They provided me as much comfort in my ski boot as I could have hoped for. The various targeted cushioning scores are there to allow you to choose your thickness, warmth, and comfort level. Do keep in mind, that thicker is not always better. It’s a personal preference at times. Having less material jammed in between your boot and skin can be a good thing. I lean that way, but I want you to determine that for yourself. The Smartwool Ski socks are constructed out of a good blend of materials (mainly wool) to allow for them to be a technical and athletic sock to be enjoyed for many seasons.
From a dollar value standpoint, these socks are in the $28 range, and I’d say that is a decent price to pay in the scheme of things. You pay a lot to be out there, so it’s a small price to pay. For more information, please check out www.smartwool.com, and their ‘sock finder’ to dial in your perfect fit.