Socks..love and hate affair

[Gary]

Ok...even my wife refers to me as the "Princess and the Pea" when it comes to my feet and skiing, golf, everyday shoes.

But socks....I've puchased and given away more ski socks...a college educations worth...well...subs idized..

For years I had 3 pairs of those $50 a pair Ultra light carving socks...obviously like them to pay a stupid amount for them.
With my new boots, I thought they had a bit too much cushioning...but doable. Given my track record for buy and giving away ski socks...I thought I'd play it safe and just order another couple pairs. THEY DON"T MAKE THEM ANYMORE! 

You'd thought I was a canidate for electrical shock therapy.

Criminy...the search was on again...Lorapan, Patagonia then I hit the jackpot....Finding new homes for the previous mentioned socks with my sons is never a problem. In a ski shop at Ellicottville, I picked up my Holy Grail of socks...
Smartwool Ski Racer socks.....ta da.....warm, snug fit in all the right places and less then half the price.  AND...DRY....they wick away beautifully...SO>>I just order 2 more pair on line to keep my stock up. Smartwool always seemed to keep my street feet warm in casual shoes so figures they'd do the same in the ski boots and I wasn't disappointed.

So for any of you who either can't find your favorites anymore or are in search of the Holy Grail of Socks....ya might give Smartwool Ski Racer's a try.....I'm a size 9 street shoe but went with their medium which is supposed to fit 6.5 to 8.5 US.

Best, G

[Liam]

I will only ski one of two socks:

Fox River Ultralight (or light weight) SILK-MERINO WOOL socks (awesome, awesome, awesome socks).

Defeet Ski Socks (I'm a sucker for the funky graphics, this is the only padded sock I can take.

[Gary]

Ok...we need to have an official REAL SKIERS SOCK LIST!  JIM>>>>>>>

Can you create the link please?!?!

[jbotti]

I ski only 2 socks after years of playing around with different brands and styles. In Montana I ski the Smartwool ultra light ski racer socks which are perfect. In Tahoe where my feet expand and are larger, I ski the smartwool ultra light ski socks (same sock wthout the heel and shin padding). I usually buy a few pairs of each in September each year on Sierra Tradinng Post for around $10 per pair. Great socks and I don't mess with anything else because these are dialed in.

When you find socks that work, buy several pairs!!  Remember your feet will shrink and expand depending on temperature and humidity.

[jim-ratliff]

Ok...we need to have an official REAL SKIERS SOCK LIST!  JIM>>>>>>>

Can you create the link please?!?!

We do.  It's anything whose name starts with SmartWool. The models may vary by preference, but they work and they last. I've got casual and lightweight hiking socks that must be 7 years old and are just now beginning to show signs of wear.  Much better than other merino wool socks. Even my favorite pair of biking socks are smartwool.

[midwif]

We do.  It's anything whose name starts with SmartWool. The models may vary by preference, but they work and they last. I've got casual and lightweight hiking socks that must be 7 years old and are just now beginning to show signs of wear.  Much better than other merino wool socks. Even my favorite pair of biking socks are smartwool.

Jim
Your prejudice is showing.
Yes, smartwool rules, but others here are positing their favorites (though of course, they are bemused and bemuddled) .

So, consider creating a "socks only" area!

[Gary]

I love it...we all have tried and true socks...I think it's "forum worthy".....just for historical data value! 

WoW JB....that incredible shrinking and expanding thing is certainly something to remember...I always thought it was the cold weather that initiated that but never thought about the humidity...(don't go there Lynn)   

AND humidity.. we have oddles of in the east! The Smartwool really helps against the humidity for my feet...probably due to the Merino wool absorbtion factor.

I"m guessing that most here have their boots dialed in ...just wanted to re-inforce with others not so lucky that cold feet can happen with the best socks if the boots fit improperly. BUT get the boots spot on and the right socks and "Happy Feet" takes on a whole new meaning!

G

[Svend]

Brilliant thread! Thanks G, for the tip.  I've been using Lorpen thin merino ones, but find them a bit abrasive on the shins.  Not the softest wool, I guess.  Will look for the Smartwool ones, likely those with a bit of shin padding.  I like their products -- we all have their merino base layers....super comfy and warm. 

[jim-ratliff]

Well, I guess this thread now officially qualifies as "gear review"  and needs to be moved.

[Svend]

Anyone want to start an underwear...oops, I mean baselayer, thread?

Actually, it's remarkable that in a properly-fitted snug performance boot, how much difference in comfort a thin sock makes.  Last week I forgot my thin Lorpens and had to ski in thicker Columbia ones that I keep in my boot bag as emergency backup.  Well, my feet hurt the entire time I was in my boots.  Two days later, in the thin socks, I skied for four hours with nary a spot of discomfort.

[HeluvaSkier]

Winter Silks for me. Nothing else. I use the thinnest ones they make.

[Gary]

Certainly thinner means more sensitivity...

I've wondered about those Greg....fit tight, stay up, no bunching?

Might be a great spring weather sock for me.

[HeluvaSkier]

I've never had bunching. I usually tear through a pair a season, so they don't last long because they are so thin.

[LivingProof]

If anyone in our community opened a thread about socks, in a nanosecond, author unseen, I just know Gary strikes again! Gosh, I just hate my socks  ! Gosh, a bad pair can just ruin a ski day even in great sun and powder..faster than using Supershapes!

But, since i'm here, let's play the game. I use knee high Under Armor brand very thin poly-prop material socks. Found 'em in a discount rack for cheap. On a trip, just wash them after skiing and they will be perfectly dry the next day. They coordinate perfectly at knee length with my knicker length under garments.

[Gary]

oooooeeeeeeeeeeeeee eee

Mike....you said "knicker length under garments"....

Hey Mike...it's hard to ski with ice stumps below the ankles....good socks are essential....

But yes...it's fun to talk about "other technical" aspects of skiing indeed...Glad you jumped in!