How to choose your hiking socks

How to choose ski and snowboard socks?

Socks specially designed for skiing or snowboarding can make a real difference in terms of boot comfort.

Discover our full range of adults’ and children’s ski socks

Why should you wear socks specially designed for skiing?

You’re just about to set off to ski, so you slip on your ski socks with... your everyday socks. Stop right there! We explain to you why:

The socks that you wear every day are clearly not suitable for skiing or snowboarding, for the following reasons:

• They aren’t designed to keep your feet warm in cold conditions, which can make you feel cold and uncomfortable.

• They don’t handle perspiration well, which can cause dampness around the feet, increasing the risk of blisters and irritation.

• They aren’t designed with specific padded areas related to certain skiing movements, which can lead to pressure points and pain.

• And finally, do you know that unpleasant feeling of socks sliding around in your boots?
Because they don’t rise far enough up your calf and because they don’t hold well, your socks are going to slide and compress inside the ski liner, causing irritation and that frustrating point of discomfort.

How to choose your hiking socks

Warm skiing socks, to keep your feet warm all day

Thickness is the primary factor that protects against the cold; it’s achieved through a loop weave. The weave and composition of the sock will guarantee a real and constant supply of warmth. To do so, natural products are blended such as wool for its heat-retaining power and synthetic materials (such as polyester) for their capacity to wick away perspiration.

Good to know

The more intense your exercise is, the more important it is that your socks are thin and can wick away perspiration. Conversely, the less intense your activity, the thicker the sock you will need. Our 50 ski sock is the warmest design as it has a 98% acrylic composition, but isn’t very breathable. It should be avoided by those who perspire a lot, but are a great choice for skiers doing less intense levels of activity, who perspire less or who often feel the cold at the extremities during days out on the slopes.

warmers for feet

For those who are sensitive to the cold, get yourself some warmers!

As you’re well aware, and you know all about this during full days spent on the slopes, even if it’s skiing and it’s a sport, you’re still going to get cold feet. We suggest that you anticipate this problem and fill up on warmers before setting off.

How do warmers work?
Stuck to your socks, warmers deliver gentle, consistent for four to five hours.

They are self-adhesive and placed by the toes, over your ski socks.

Warmers self-activate on contact with air, and they need to be inserted into the sock while warm.

ski socks at the right height

Ski socks at the right height

It’s ideal to have the sock extend slightly beyond the boot, usually to the middle of the shin. This allows for:

➤ Prevention of irritation: The sock covers the sensitive areas where the boot is likely to rub.

➤ Better insulation: It helps to maintain heat around the calves.

➤ Prevention of the entry of snow: In the case of a fall, it reduces the likelihood of snow getting into the ski boot.

Spandex ski socks

Comfort and hold thanks to Spandex

The fit of the sock on your foot is essential for your comfort throughout your days of activity. Get the right size pair and choose a style that contains more or less... Spandex! Indeed, this elastic material allows for a tight fit and hugs the shape of the foot. This prevents the formation of creases, for example. It retains excellent tensile strength, flexural strength and a soft, silky feel.

Ski socks in the right size

What’s the right ski sock size?

Whatever your level, whatever your activity, it’s important to choose the right size so that the sock envelops the foot optimally, neither too wide nor too tight. A sock that is too big can quickly lead to blisters. In fact, if there is too much material around the foot, there’s a higher likelihood of folds forming, or areas of friction between the sock and the skin. Try your sock on before you leave for winter sports to check that it fits your foot optimally without too much compression.

SKI SOCKS

Thickness and reinforcement zones

Although thickness has a role in providing warmth, it also has an impact on the shifting your weight in your ski boot. The thinner the ski sock, the more precision it will give you for your skiing movements. Some zones and some socks offer you padded zones to enhance your comfort. They are most often located:

➤ above the toes to focus warmth.

➤ on the shin, heel or ankle.

➤ For snowboarders, they can also be located behind the calf due to the very frequent pressure in this area.

Ski socks: fabrics to prioritise

➤ The wool generally present in the sole delivers a combination of durability, warmth and a great capacity to absorb moisture.

➤  Merino wool: Excellent for temperature regulation and moisture management. It is also naturally anti-bacterial, which reduces odours.

➤  Acrylic provides warmth, but it is a bit fragile.

➤  Polyamide holds up to friction and is easy to care for, and is often used as padding on the heel and toe areas.

➤  The  polyester used is water-repellent as well as highly friction-resistant and it provides temperature regulation.

➤  Spandex provides optimal hold of the sock on the foot. 

Need some help in choosing THE best type?

Now that you know the essential criteria, let us help you choose the pair of ski socks best suited to your use:

  • 100 adult ski socks

    100 adult ski socks

    Are you an occasional skier, looking for ski socks that offer the perfect compromise between support and thermal protection? Go for this pair of 100 socks.

  • 500 ski socks

    500 adult ski socks

    Are you a regular user, looking for comfort and support? The 500 socks are designed with reinforced zones for enhanced comfort.

  • 900 ski socks

    900 adult ski socks

    Are you a regular skier who values precision? With their Celliant fibre technology which promotes recovery, these socks offer both comfort and precision thanks to their fine weave, support and compression strength.

Now you’re unbeatable in understanding the criteria for choosing ski socks! All you have to do is select your ideal style and make the most of your days out on the slopes!

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