Most ski gear is arguably more important than your socks, but do not overlook those tubes you slide over your feet. A good pair of socks is pretty vital to staying comfortable outside in the winter, and, in my opinion, merino wool is the best choice. This season I’ve been skiing in the Icebreaker Ski+ Medium socks, which are a merino blend. But are these socks the be-all, end-all of baselayers for your feet?
Icebreaker Ski+ socks feature:
- 77% Merino wool, 21% Nylon, 4% LYCRA®
- Breathability
- Odor resistance
- Anatomically sculptured,
- Fully cushioned ski sock
- Over-the-calf height
These socks are very, very nice. They are thick, plush, and warm. But what really stands out to me is how stretchy they are. Most ski socks don’t have this, but the generous amount of nylon woven into the Ski+ socks give them a massive amount of stretch. I dig this. They also have an anatomical fit, right down to right foot and left foot versions.
These socks are fully featured for skiing. The anatomical fit is great and extra padding is located right where you need it. I really like the padded shins, which goes a long way to avoiding shin bang against the ski boot tongues (a problem I develop after several consecutive ski days.) But because of all this extra padding, I find the sock to be best used for resort skiing. In the backcountry, I prefer a more minimalist, thinner sock for walking uphill. The less stitching and padding to get in the way, the less chance there is for chafing or blistering on long tours.
That being said, I did take these socks on some backcountry tours and actually found them to be adequate. The extra padding didn’t get in the way, and I attribute that to how flexible they are. These socks move with you. Also, the over-the-calf height is great when the sock are paired with Icebreaker’s Zone leggings that only come down to mid-calf.
Icebreaker’s Ski+ socks come in two versions, light and medium. As I’ve been wearing the medium both in the backcountry and in bounds at Alta, I have found that they are actually pretty thick for a “medium” sock. However, in some ways this has been a good thing, depending on what ski boots I’m wearing. My backcountry Scarpas have a liner that is getting packed out, so a thicker sock has been welcome to fill the boot a bit more. But my resort Head boots feel a little tight with these socks on. Keep this in mind if you’re considering purchasing the medium version as the light may be a better choice depending on what your needs are. They also come in men’s and women’s versions.
The Good: Anatomical fit, over-the-calf height, awesome stretch, padding where you need it, merino wool keeps toes very warm on the slopes, affordable.
The Bad: All that padding limits these socks to best use for resort skiing.
Final Word: Overall, the Icebreaker Ski+ socks are the ideal choice for in-bounds skiing. The padding, stretch, and warmth have made them my new favorite ski socks.