Let's Talk About Socks

[riverc0il]

So... Let's talk about socks!

When I first started skiing, I learned to wear thick socks to keep warm.:-o We are talking heavy wool type socks. The thick socks don't work though! At least not with modern era ski boots. That probably worked back in the day when my parents learned to ski, but that don't fly no more!

Then I transitioned to actual ski socks. But I still thought I needed a thick ski sock to keep warm. Still, I was having cold feet.

A few years back I decided to buy an ultra light weight sock. I think i was spring skiing and just needed a liner. Sure enough, thin worked well not only during the Spring, but even during the winter. The sock acts like a liner and my boot the shell. No sweat and a snug performance fit on the boot traps in the heat. Cold foot problem solved.

I have never used one of those foot heater packet things they sell at the ski areas. A light weight sock does the trick almost every time except on the coldest of days. I currently swear by SmartWool Ultra Light socks. So what is under your boot?

 

[teachski]

I agree 100%, Light socks are the way to go. My feet used to sweat and then freeze when I wore heavy socks in the older boots. When I was young I often had 3 pair of heavy socks on inside my lace up ski boots. Not only was this for warmth, but also to make them fit better as they were always hand me downs from and older sibbling. Now, I generally only wear boot liners (or a pair of knee highs, non-ski shop...lady's socks) and my feet are toasty warm and dry.

Another thing that helps to keep feet warm is to change your socks just before putting on your ski boots...wipe off your feet before putting the new socks on.

 

[riverc0il]

Good Point about never wearing your socks to the ski area. I always change into my ski socks when putting on my boots in the lodge or parking lot.

 

[YardSaleDad]

I currently swear by SmartWool Ultra Light socks. So what is under your boot?

Smartwool rocks! The key though, is having a good fit to the boot so that the blood circulates freely to keep the toes toasty. A snug liner insulates much better than air pockets in an ill fitting boot.. I know that goes without saying to you.

 

[kcyanks1]

I don't remember the particular brand, but I think I have light weight socks but not ultra light weight socks. Not wearing socks to the area seems like great advice, but something I've done maybe only once. My feet for the most part don't get overly cold.. Sometimes a little, but rarely an issue. My hands are more of an issue normally.

 

[bvibert]

I use those same SmartWool socks. As mentioned the key is to have a good fitting boot. I had problems with cold feet last season with my old crappy boots and those socks. This year was much better, although I still had to un-buckle my boots the first few chair rides to get the blood circulating. I also never wear my socks to the mountain, always change into them right before putting the boots on.

 

[BeanoNYC]

I always drive to the resort in my ski socks. I guess I never thought about it. Thanks for the tip.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Keeping your toes warm are important and can even make or break an enjoyable day.

I think it is important to start with warm feet. I boot up in the truck so a few minutes before I get to the parking lots I crank up the heat with the floor vent so when I put on my boots both my feet and boots are warm. In addition to the Smart Wool LW socks I first put on some high quality thin cotton socks which are really soft and comfy.

I have a friend who puts on his socks when he gets there. To make them warm he sits on them during the drive. It really works!

 

[Charlie Schuessler]

"Low-Volume" socks work the best for me...like others I don't wear them to or from the mountain. Although I wear smart wool brand of socks for hiking and outdoor activities where I'm going to be on my feet all day, I find thier "Ski-Socks" too thick for my taste. Technica and other brands offered at professional ski shops more to my liking.

 

[riverc0il]

Although I wear smart wool brand of socks for hiking and outdoor activities where I'm going to be on my feet all day, I find thier "Ski-Socks" too thick for my taste.

their ultra light socks (that i linked to above) are extremely thin. so thin, that when the sock is on and pulled taught, you can see skin through the sock's surface.

 

[NYDrew]

I wear thin socks, i think they are thule or something like that. They make great socks. I only wear my ski socks when I wear my boots, unless i switch to shoes during lunch but ill still leave my socks on.

 

[teachski]

I wear thin socks, i think they are thule or something like that. They make great socks. I only wear my ski socks when I wear my boots, unless i switch to shoes during lunch but ill still leave my socks on.

Wow! You must take a fairly leisurely lunch.

Most of the time when I take lunch it's around 3:30 anyway so I frequently quit for the day when I take lunch. If I am with others that want to take lunch earlier I do not take my boots off and I actually try to find an outside table to eat at. At most area, taking lunch from 11-1:30 or so is a total waste of time because everyone eats then. It's actually the best time to be on the slopes too, they are nice and clear.

Another tip: If you have "hot feet", start using Dr. Scholl's foot spray about a month before you start skiing. Your feet will sweat less in your boots and you will stay warmer. In a lot of "cold feet" situations socks are frequently soaking wet. ALSO, make sure your (or your kid's) socks are pulled tight and not scrunched down before you put your boots on...there will be a lot less foot problems and sore feet.

 

[NYDrew]

I have race style boots. I usually take about a half hour for lunch around 2 and take the boots off to give my feet a break. The few minutes of freedom really makes a difference.

 

[Traverser]

I had just finished the purchase of my new ski boots, and while caught up in mindless consumer mode, the salesman pounced and introduced me to ski socks.
At first I scoffed, thinking "what a joke," but with some convincing arguments in line with regular socks being too thick, cotton getting too sweaty etc. I took the bait.

I now blissfully wear a pair of fox river socks. Not to bee too graphic, but my boots steam when I finish a day of skiiing. I have not been cold once, and I like the tight fit around the ancles.

For too long have I been stubbornly wedded to "tried and proven" materials such as thick wool sweaters and socks. Next season I'm trading in my Norweigan sweater for an actual ski jacket, the pockets will come in handy. Any recomendations?

 

[JimG.]

I use a variety of Smartwool or synthetic socks, usually thinner in the spring and a little more towards medium thickness in winter.

I have custom footbeds and a thermoformable liner, and my boots fit extremely well even unbuckled. I never buckle my boots very tightly, no need to. I've never had a problem with cold feet.

The key is that I NEVER wear my ski socks until I'm about to put my boots on. NEVER.
Even if my feet sweat a bit while skiing, dry socks to start out with are most important.

And that's true for any mountain based sport, not just skiing. Can't tell you how many folks I know who get blisters when hiking because they don't start with dry socks or carry an extra pair to change into midway through the day.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I use ultra thin socks. I tried no socks once, but I didn't last the day like that. I did not care for the feel.

 

[BeanoNYC]

I use ultra thin socks. I tried no socks once, but I didn't last the day like that. I did not care for the feel.

I've often wondered how I would like that as I used to wear my ice skates barefoot and on the rivets w/o a sole.

 

[kbroderick]

I use ultrathin socks (OK, they're actually sold as liners); I preferred the feel I had when going barefoot, but some of the other side effects were less pleasant (i.e. not being able to remove my foot from the boot at the end of the day and the olfactory conditions created).

 

[TC]

I wear just the sock linner. Patagonia makes one that is great! Sometimes I get out of work, and hit the hill, and forget my ski socks and just ski barefoot.

 

[marcski]

I go for the thinest, cheapest sock with the highest wool content. I found that some synthetic socks actually transfer the moisture to the outside of the sock, but then it would stay there which would cause my foot to move slightly inside the boot. Therefore, I look for synthetic/wool blends that are thin with a high wool content. I never pay full price for ski socks....god forbid.

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