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January, 2025

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Do ski socks actually matter

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deathvalley69
Posts: 631 - Karma: 4,222
Up until this season I always used regular socks, but I got new boots and the bootfitter said I had to wear ski socks or they wouldn't work. I haven't really noticed a difference but it's hard to tell because they're different boots. My problem is that with my old boots and normal socks, I never got cold, but now my feet go numb super fast even if it's pretty warm out. Do you think going back to normal socks would help this or not? Also do ski socks really help your skiing or are they just a gimmick?
Jan 27 2021 11:11PM
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Chunderface
Posts: 2546 - Karma: 9,981
I think it totally depends on the fit of the boot. Thicker socks ad a mushy layer between you foot and the foot that allows the boot to move around on your foot. You don't want this. You want a snug/tight fit with the thinnest barrier between your foot and the liner - so a really thin sock is ideal. Some racers don't even wear socks.
Jan 28 2021 12:21AM
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ColoradoDogfart
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 29,653
yes yes yes. get yourself a good pair of socks and you'll see the difference immediately. Goods socks keep compression on your feet which helps with circulation, they are also designed for ski boots so you'll feel locked in and they aren't gonna bunch up.
Jan 28 2021 1:20AM
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drifts
Posts: 620 - Karma: 4,494
are you sure the boots aren't cutting off your circulation and making your feet cold because you buckled them too tight?
Jan 28 2021 1:28AM
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gilbertressel
Posts: 639 - Karma: 8,508
Ummm... yes dude they really really do.
Jan 28 2021 11:43AM
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X_MEMESWERVE_XX
Posts: 3742 - Karma: 31,347
Absolutely, I literally will not ski if I dont have the right socks, try different sock thickness for different days. get some lightweight merino wool ones, Smartwool has some goods.

otherwise DarnTough makes banger socks too and I couldn't reccomend those or not
Jan 28 2021 11:51AM
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deathvalley69
Posts: 631 - Karma: 4,222
Ok I guess I'll keep wearing them then. I might try a different brand though, I'll look into Darn Tough. I already have my buckles as loose as they go but they're race boots so it's still pretty tight.
Jan 28 2021 12:01PM
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X_MEMESWERVE_XX
Posts: 3742 - Karma: 31,347
CrunnchyVanManAbsolutely, I literally will not ski if I dont have the right socks, try different sock thickness for different days. get some lightweight merino wool ones, Smartwool has some goods.

otherwise DarnTough makes banger socks too and I couldn't reccomend those or not


***enough, not "or not"
Jan 28 2021 12:09PM
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Session
Posts: 5404 - Karma: 22,511
richiiiOk I guess I'll keep wearing them then. I might try a different brand though, I'll look into Darn Tough. I already have my buckles as loose as they go but they're race boots so it's still pretty tight.


If you need a little more space try a merino liner sock. I always wear them when i get new boots because they are ultra thin, and once my boots pack out a little bit I can start wearing slightly thicker socks. But even then I usually go for the liner sock.
Jan 28 2021 2:33PM
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freeballer
Posts: 736 - Karma: 1,071
Good wool ski socks are so cheap in the whole scheme of things. I get more excited about a good sock than just about anything in my entire ski get up. Like for real, get some quality socks and it will change your world.
Jan 30 2021 7:20PM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 7287 - Karma: 64,441
I have had a couple of skis socks and I still find most too thick. Only the smartwool socks and a few others work for me. I’ve started using a trick another instructor taught me - use dress socks. Most of them are extremely thin, well made, and have a little elastic in them. My feet don’t get cold either because it doesn’t cut off the circulation. Even at Ruka in cold temps, my feet were fine.
Jan 31 2021 11:45AM
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SendyMcSendyface
Posts: 2966 - Karma: 25,927
A good ski sock won't be too thick. Something proper, like Icebreaker or Smartwool won't be much thicker than a regular cotton sock. The biggest advantage, at least for me, is being able to keep my feet warm even if they get wet. Also, no blisters if you tour. People always come into my shop trying to try on boots with thickass hiking socks and they wonder why they don't have good circulation.

TLDR: buy good socks
Jan 31 2021 7:14PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10595 - Karma: 11,315
100% yes. Thin, thin, and thin!

Also for anyone who's reading and does this, take your dang baselayer out of your socks when you put them into your boots haha
Jan 31 2021 9:11PM
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snowfinder
Posts: 2893 - Karma: 34,294
you guys wear socks?
Jan 31 2021 9:32PM
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 6291 - Karma: 63,896
snowfinderyou guys wear socks?


On one of the old TC episodes I think they were at windells and someone rode all summer without socks and they showed his liner and you could smell it through your screen.
Feb 1 2021 10:59AM
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Isak_lonn
Posts: 20 - Karma: 204
If you don’t use em you won’t feel anything weird but when you get some proper socks you will definitely fell the difference. Don’t think it’s that much of a necessity tho. I use smartwool socks and big recommend on those kinda expensive for a pair of socks but still they are worth it I think.
Feb 1 2021 4:02PM
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ShadowXVX
Posts: 216 - Karma: 1,026
Feet might go numb if your socks are too thick reducing circulation. Darn Tough's synthetic ski socks are good, some of their stuff is wool so avoid that but their synthetic ones are nice
Nov 16 2021 9:04PM
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maaattt
Posts: 2620 - Karma: 31,873
I love the compression my darn toughs give me so much that I wear em for biking too
Nov 16 2021 9:20PM
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deathvalley69
Posts: 631 - Karma: 4,222
ShadowXVXFeet might go numb if your socks are too thick reducing circulation. Darn Tough's synthetic ski socks are good, some of their stuff is wool so avoid that but their synthetic ones are nice


I think the numbness was just my race boots vice gripping my feet, I started using them a little looser when it’s not during a race and it helped. I have a bunch of old merino socks that there’s no point in throwing out but when I need some new ones I’ll def get Darn Toughs
Nov 16 2021 9:22PM
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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,100
I posted this earlier

I cannot stand wool or synthetic socks. They make my feet sweat and then get cold. I dont understand how anybody can stand them.

cotton socks stay dry, they grip the inside of the liner better, and they feel a million times better.
Nov 16 2021 9:39PM
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piss.boy
Posts: 1491 - Karma: 10,622
I remember a few years ago when id just get off the buss from school and rock my ankle socks. But yeah just buy a pair you'll thank yourself
Nov 17 2021 12:10AM
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tominiemenmaa
Posts: 573 - Karma: 3,386
Just like everyone has already said; a good quality sock makes the world of a diffence. Thinnest possible merino wool for me. Most of my ski socks are Norrøna or Smartwool.
Nov 17 2021 12:14AM
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KCoCM
Posts: 963 - Karma: 8,787
dude i had a buddy that would rip sockless and you could smell his boots from the other side of the locker room like ~30 ft
CatdickBojanglesOn one of the old TC episodes I think they were at windells and someone rode all summer without socks and they showed his liner and you could smell it through your screen.
Nov 17 2021 11:19AM
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deadhead420
Posts: 1921 - Karma: 17,113
The super thin smartwool socks are bomb.com at least for the fit of my boots. But yes get wool ski socks
Nov 17 2021 1:54PM
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Pattyskis
Posts: 3 - Karma: 11
Yes they do matter get top quality socks though I highly recommend LeBent socks as they retain their shape even after several seasons. Every other brand I have tried go out of shape and bunch up under foot.
Nov 29 2021 12:36AM
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