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Winter is in full swing, and if you’re like us, that means you’ll be spending a lot of time in the snow. These are the best ski socks that will keep feet happy and warm all winter long.
Socks are critical to keeping feet warm and comfortable. Whether you’re skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, or sledding with the family, socks perform a critical role in your winter comfort. We’ve got you — and your feet — covered.
We looked for socks that offer a good balance of breathability, cushion, stretch, and durability. Then we checked each brand’s sock performance through online reviews across multiple platforms. To choose the best of the best, we ranked each sock both on the quality and volume of positive reviews and feedback.
Remember, socks are tricky. No one sock is going to fit and serve everyone’s needs, but the ones on our list are by far the most popular and most trusted. Scroll through our picks for the best snow socks of 2019-2020 or jump to a category below:
Best Overall Ski Socks
Smartwool PhD Ski Medium Socks — Men’s & Women’s: $25
Ratings and reviews: 4.7/5 stars across 115 reviews
Fabric: 62% merino wool, 36% nylon, 2% elastane
Thickness: Medium
Why we like it: Smartwool built its PhD series for performance. And these socks have garnered multiple reviews from customers touting them as the “best ski socks ever.” The Ski Medium socks have body-mapped mesh zones for added breathability, a seamless toe for enhanced comfort, and offer men’s- and women’s-specific fits.
What customers said: These socks are awesome for both comfort and warmth. Customers love them for skiing, and lots of customers commented on having multiple pairs. Other features reviewers liked about this sock were its durability even after washes, performance in the backcountry, and comfort in ski boots.
“I am 55 been skiing most of my life. Ski 50 days plus a year. The most critical part of boot fit besides properly fitting boots is how well socks fit. These socks fit perfectly, and besides that, it takes a couple of hundred days of skiing before they wear out.” — Ski addict from Kirkwood, CA, reviewer
Runner-Up Socks for Skiing
Darn Tough Over-the-Calf Rumble & Yeti Cushioned Socks: $26
Ratings and reviews: 4.6/5 star average across 131 reviews
Fabric: 62% merino wool, 36% nylon, 2% Lycra spandex (men’s); 68% merino wool, 28% nylon, 4% Lycra spandex (women’s)
Thickness: Medium
Why we like it: Darn Tough’s over-the-calf, cushioned ski sock (specifically the men’s Rumble and women’s Yeti) is a great sock recommended by lots of skiers across the board. The cushioned sock has a performance fit with naturally microbial properties thanks to the sock’s large percentage of merino wool.
What customers said: Customers loved these over-the-calf socks’ support and performance while skiing, especially the warmth in colder conditions. Almost all the reviews mentioned that with these socks you get both awesome quality and fun style. Note: A few customers commented that the socks have a tighter fit.
“[My] first pair of Darn Toughs and first foray into a slightly thicker ski sock. I won’t go back. These socks are warm, durable and look great.” — Sully, reviewer
Shop the men’s Rumble socksShop the women’s Yeti socks
Best Budget Ski Sock
Wigwam Snow Sirocco Ski Sock: $16
Ratings and reviews: 4.5/5 star average across 238 reviews
Fabric: 42% wool, 24% stretch nylon, 21% polypropylene, 7% stretch polyester, 5% Olefin, 1% spandex
Thickness: Medium
Why we like it: Don’t let the long list of fabric materials fool you — this sock still delivers. The Wigwam Snow Sirocco sock has a seamless toe and is fully cushioned to offer as much warmth as possible. The sock also has a reinforced shin panel with extra cushion. If you’re looking for a sock that will deliver on warmth and not break the bank, this is it.
What customers said: A huge number of customers raved about the comfort and warmth of the Snow Sirocco socks despite the sock not being too thick. And most customers were very pleased with these socks’ performance in cold winter climates, although a few thought they weren’t warm enough. Regarding quality, most customers were happy, though a few mentioned the sock will suffer in the wash.
“I tried these on a recent ski trip. They worked great. I had old socks that always slid down in my boots. These stayed up all day. Very comfortable and warm.” — J. Rice, reviewer
Shop the Wigwam Snow Sirocco Sock
Crowd-Favorite Ski Socks
icebreaker Ski +Light OTC Sock — Men’s & Women’s: $28
Ratings and reviews: 4.6/5 star average across 93 reviews
Fabric: 55% merino wool, 42% nylon, 3% Lycra spandex
Thickness: Light
Why we like it: Icebreaker’s Ski+Light over-the-calf sock is a good option for those who don’t want or need a thicker sock. This wool sock is lightweight and stays dry and odorless even if you’re out on the slopes all day.
What customers said: Many reviewers commented that they love these socks for downhill skiing, backcountry skiing, and snowboarding. The socks won lots of purchasers over for their performance in cold weather and well-constructed cushioning. More than one reviewer described these as the “Goldilocks” of ski socks. That being said, a couple of cons mentioned were the sock’s length on the user’s calf as well as sizing issues for some.
“Perfect for skiing, nice fit and comfortable, kept my feet warm the whole time. Nice fit in my boot too, not too thin, not too thick.” — MontrealSkier, reviewer
Best Men’s Winter Sock
EURO Socks Ski Zone Socks: $20
Ratings and reviews: 4.6/5 star average across 462 reviews
Fabric: 80% MicroSupreme fiber, 15% nylon, 5% Lycra spandex
Thickness: Medium
Why we like it: While this sock is made from hollow-core “micro” fibers, it’s still durable enough for long days on the slopes. The flat-knit sock has medium cushioning and does a great job of offering ventilation and breathability. Overall, this is a great choice for the price point, especially if you’re looking for a sock with not too much padding.
What customers said: Lots of reviewers liked these socks for both skiing and snowboarding. The majority of reviews also mentioned the Ski Zone socks’ coziness and performance in cold temperatures and on long days. Some customers note they run a little big.
“They stayed unbelievably dry in different wet conditions, I believe due to the way the wool is woven. Highly recommended!” — Karim Afeiche, reviewer
Best Women’s Skiing Sock
Darn Tough Over-the-Calf Yeti Cushioned Socks: $26
Ratings and reviews: 4.7/5 star average across 119 reviews
Fabric: 68% merino wool, 28% nylon, 4% Lycra spandex
Thickness: Medium
Why we like it: These socks are of great quality and have a good over-the-calf length and fit, not to mention the women’s-specific sizing and fun designs. But one of the best things about Darn Tough’s socks is the lifetime guarantee — if after a couple seasons they need replacing or if they aren’t the sock you were looking for, you can just send them in.
What customers said: Skiers love these socks — everything from the fit to the support and durability. According to several customers, the socks don’t bunch up or fall and are comfortable for all-day use in ski boots. One of the only negative reviews we could find mentioned they weren’t warm enough for ice climbing.
“I love, love, love these socks. The print is a riot … They’re warm, they’re supportive, they reach up high … I wore them all weekend on a cross-country skiing trip. They didn’t let me down!” — Lisa V., reviewer
Shop the Darn Tough Yeti Cushioned Socks
Best Kids’ Ski Sock
Smartwool Kids’ Ski Racer Socks: $17
Ratings and reviews: 4.9/5 star average across 19 reviews
Fabric: 66% merino wool, 32% nylon, 2% elastane
Thickness: Light
Why we like it: For kiddos, you can’t beat the Smartwool Ski Racer socks. Important for kids is a soft feel, but also elements like the socks’ flat-knit toe seam, light cushion, and true-to-size fit. When you’ve got kiddos out on the slopes, comfort is really important, and these socks deliver. Note: These socks work for kids with children’s shoe sizes 6-13.5 and youth sizes up to 6.
What customers said: The majority of reviewers said these socks were perfect for kids on the slopes and kept them warm. One reviewer did not like the length of the sock for skiing but did like the quality.
“Finally a great pair of ski socks for my son. Most are too long, too bulky or poor materials. These work and fit superbly!” — FrizbeeLuke, Reviewer
Shop Smartwool’s Kids Ski Racer Socks
Best of the Rest
PureAthlete High Performance Wool Ski Sock: $20
Ratings and reviews: 4.8/5 star average across 221 reviews
Fabric: 54% nylon, 25% merino wool, 16% polypropylene, 5% spandex
Thickness: Medium
Why we like it: PureAthlete’s socks may not be the best in everyone’s book, but they’re still very popular. Most customers loved the socks’ comfortable material and the left- and right-specific sock fits. Overall, it’s a good and simple winter sock option. Note: These socks are on the thinner side. If you like a compression fit, these might be for you.
What customers said: A bulk of the reviews online mentioned the socks’ really nice balance of compression while being lightweight. According to a few customers, the socks have a good amount of stretch. The majority of negative reviews commented that the socks weren’t warm enough and aren’t very durable after washes.
Shop the PureAthlete High Performance Ski Sock
Smartwool PhD Ski Light Pattern Sock — Men’s & Women’s: $19-26
Ratings and reviews: 4.7/5 star average across 53 reviews
Fabric: 57% merino wool, 41% nylon, 2% elastane
Thickness: Light
Why we like it: Smartwool’s Indestructawool construction in these socks places reinforcement fibers for durability, which is one reason we think they work so well and are so highly rated by skiers across the nation. We also like this sock style’s addition of mesh ventilation zones for breathability and the light cushion for comfort without the bulk.
What customers said: Skiers had a lot to say about these lightweight socks from Smartwool. The majority of reviewers had positive feedback about the socks’ combined comfort, durability, and warmth, even during long days on the mountain. Some customers noted the socks weren’t soft enough, and one noted the socks slipped on the calves, but most found they stayed up and were comfortable in their ski boots.
FITS Pro Ski Over-the-Calf Sock: $18
Ratings and reviews: 5/5 star average across 28 reviews
Fabric: 57% merino wool, 32% nylon, 8% polyester, 3% Lycra spandex
Thickness: Medium
Why we like it: Firstly, these FITS Ski socks are well-fitting and soft, but they also have a great price. FITS over-the-calf socks are made with merino wool for softness and wicking, and feature FITS’ Dynamic Toe Cup design, which contours to the shape of your foot. We like the variety of styles and colors as well as this sock’s focus on shin padding and awesome compatibility with narrower feet.
What customers said: Online reviewers love this sock’s fit inside boots and comfort throughout the day. Overall, these socks were most described as warm, comfortable, and practical — great qualities to have in a sock. Of all the reviews, only a couple noted they didn’t like the sock’s thickness.
Voormi Ski Sock: $40
Ratings and reviews: 5/5 star rating across 9 reviews
Fabric: Fine-micron merino wool blend
Thickness: Light
Why we like it: The ratings on Voormi’s ski socks are high, and the positive feedback is definitely echoed by some of our skiers on staff. The brand’s ski sock is made of low-friction wicking merino wool fibers that keep feet warm and dry. The sock delivers just the right amount of thermal insulation needed on the uphill and downhill. Plus, the Voormi sock has specific left- and right-foot construction.
What customers said: This sock delivers. For the price, users loved the warmth and comfort the Voormi ski sock provided. For a lightweight sock, reviewers were impressed. The only con was that some customers commented they run a bit large, so be sure to check sizing before you order.
Burton Performance Midweight Socks — Men’s & Women’s: $25
Ratings and reviews: 4.7/5 star average across 29 reviews
Fabric: 38% nylon, 30% merino wool, 30% acrylic, 2% elastane
Thickness: Medium
Why we like it: Burton’s Performance midweight socks have some cool features: ventilation panels on the toes and an odor-resistant footbed to give your feet much-needed breathability while skiing. The socks are slightly thinner than other midweight socks but still get the job done — with sock lock to prevent slipping and enough warmth for powder days.
What customers said: Customers liked this sock for both backcountry and front-country use, which is great. Reviewers also called out this sock’s delivery on warmth, durability over time, and that this sock runs true to size (because accurate sizing makes both sock and boot comfort so much better).
Dissent Ski Pro Fit Thin Nano Tour Compression — Men’s: $50
Ratings and reviews: 4.9/5 star average across 14 reviews
Fabric: NanoGlide
Thickness: Light
Why we like it: The Dissent Ski Pro Fit compression ski sock is made with a high-quality, fine merino wool fabric and is completely unpadded. This sock is great for backcountry skiing and touring thanks to the high-tech, anti-friction fabric. While this ultra-light sock rings in at $50, it’s totally worth the price tag.
What customers said: The Dissent ski sock got raving reviews for its support as well as its no-slip, no-rubbing performance on the slopes. Almost all customers talked about this sock’s awesome performance, from big-mountain skiing on Mt. Baker to ski touring in Chile. For the price, reviewers liked the high-end quality and high performance this sock delivered.
Shop the Dissent Ski Pro Fit Thin Nano Tour Sock
Bridgedale Ski Light Merino Endurance Sock — Men’s: $25
Ratings and reviews: 4.7/5 star average across 4 reviews
Fabric: 51% nylon, 20% merino wool, 20% polypropylene, 7% Tactel, 2% Lycra spandex
Thickness: Light
Why we like it: Bridgedale’s Ski Light sock doesn’t have many reviews, but all of them are positive. The men’s-specific-fit ski sock is lightweight, with medium cushioning on the footbed and shin. We like this sock’s nylon and wool blend as well as the comfort it provides. Bridgedale recommends these socks for all-mountain and freeskiing pursuits.
What customers said: Multiple reviewers commented that they liked the men’s Bridgedale Ski Light socks’ performance fit and thinner construction — thin enough to prevent rubbing or chafing, but thick enough to stay comfortable in a boot. Judging by the reviews, these are a good all-around ski sock, especially for those looking for socks with a reliable fit.
Shop the Bridgedale Ski Light Merino Endurance Sock
Swiftwick PURSUIT Twelve Sock: $35
Ratings and reviews: 4.8/5 star average across 6 reviews
Fabric: 61% merino wool, 36% nylon, 3% spandex
Thickness: Medium
Why we like it: Swiftwick’s Fiber First moisture-wicking control is a huge feature in this sock: They wick away sweat well. The PURSUIT Twelve has a contoured compression fit and reinforced heel and toe. Note: We found the toe box to be a bit wide. The PURSUIT Twelve is styled to be a winter skiing sock, but (as expressed in customer reviews) it’s great for fall or winter biking and running as well.
What customers said: The majority of reviewers like this sock’s compression fit, medium cushion, and performance. A few commented that the socks didn’t slip and were lightweight given the medium cushion. A few reviewers also commented that the support wasn’t good enough in this sock.
Shop the Swiftwick PURSUIT Twelve Sock
Farm to Feet Park City Midweight Sock — Men’s & Women’s: $26
Ratings and reviews: 4.9/5 star average across 8 reviews
Fabric: 61% merino wool, 36% nylon, 3% elastane
Thickness: Medium
Why we like it: These Farm to Feet ski socks tick a lot of boxes for us: They’re made from U.S.-sourced merino wool, have a seamless toe construction, and, according to lots of customers, work for different types of skiers. They also come in men’s- and women’s-specific styles.
What customers said: These midweight socks are some of Farm to Feet’s most popular. The Park City Midweights offer excellent performance during rigorous ski days, according to many reviewers, and provide a good level of warmth. A few customer ratings also mentioned their loyalty to the durable brand.
Norrona Lofoten Mid Weight Merino Sock Long: $35
Ratings and reviews: 4.9/5 star average across 16 reviews
Fabrics: Merino wool, nylon, and elastane blend
Thickness: Medium
Why we like it: Norrona probably doesn’t make the top of your winter sock list, but here’s why it should. We like the consistent fit and the combination of both style and quality. They hold their shape and are functional, even on colder days. Norrona also uses uber-soft, traceable, mulesing-free wool in this sock.
What customers said: The majority of users liked these midweight socks comfort and looks. People who have used them for a season or more commented on the great-lasting quality and perfect mix of warmth and fit. However, a few noted that they are too hot for ski touring and better for when skiing in front- or side-country terrain.
Shop the Norrona Lofoten Mid Weight Sock
Le Bent Le Send x Cody Townsend Touring Sock: $35
Ratings and reviews: 4.75/5 star average across 4 reviews
Fabrics: 44% bamboo rayon, 35% nylon, 19% merino wool, 2% elastane
Thickness: Not listed
Why we like it: This sock was designed by freeskier Cody Townsend as a backcountry-specific technical touring sock for high-performance users. We like the fact that 2 years of research went into the design, plus the sock has a snug heel fit and silicone sock lock for no-slip performance.
What customers said: Customers raved about the sock’s comfort and compatibility in boots (no rubbing or blisters). Users like this sock for ski touring and conquering uphill terrain, although a few users also commented on wearing this cozy ski sock around the house. If you ski tour frequently, this is definitely a sock to consider.
Shop the Le Bent Le Send Ski Sock