The 6 Best Ski & Snowboard Socks of 2021-2022

When we think of ski & snowboard gear, it’s easy to jump to the flashy, exciting stuff. New snowboards, skis, bindings, and even outerwear usually get all the hype. But, to enjoy any of that gear, your feet need to be comfortable, and foot comfort starts at the base layer, your socks. High quality ski and snowboard socks are game changing. Sure, you can try to use your old athletic socks from highschool, or jam those thick, scratchy socks your Grandma gave you for Christmas into your ski boots, but you’re rolling the dice at that point. Ski and snowboard boots require a precise fit, so you don’t want your socks to be too thick. At the same time, your feet still need to stay warm, and strategic padding can add to comfort. And you don’t want cotton socks that will get stinky immediately. So there are a lot of factors for your ski socks to juggle.

We’ve put together this list of the best ski and snowboard socks on the market to help you unravel your footwear choices. We’ve got warm ski socks to keep you going all day, padded snowboard socks to help with pressure points, extra thin ski socks to ensure a precise fit, and everything in between. So stop making do and trying to ignore your foot discomfort. You deserve to be comfortable on the hill, and a pair of the best ski socks will make a huge difference. 

Smartwool Performance Ski Targeted Cushion Homechetler Print OTC

 

Smartwool has a long legacy of making some of the best wool ski socks, and their Targeted Cushion Homechetler OTC is no exception. These socks are designed for skiers and snowboarders who want a little extra padding in strategic areas, without compromising a precise fit. They’ve got padded shins along with strategically placed seams to ensure that you don’t end up with any chafin. Smartwool uses a Merino mix so you get all the best qualities of wool, without the downsides. They wick moisture away from your feet, are nice and warm, and won’t get stinky after one day. They’re also adorned with some of Chris Benchetler’s incredible art, so your feet can look as good as they feel.

If you’re looking for a medium thickness sock, with some strategic padding, the Smartwool Performance Targeted Cushion Homechetler is one of the nicest options out there, and won’t break the bank.
 

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Smartwool Performance Ski Targeted Cushion Homechetler Print OTC

 

For skiers and riders who need a thin sock to create a precise performance fit with their boots, the Smartwool Performance Zero Cushion OTC are a fantastic choice. These are the highest-performance socks in their lineup, made of a very thin material without any extra padding. That means that there’s less slop and play in the interface of your boots and feet, so you can carve harder and feel more in touch with the snow. Like the Targeted Cushion socks, the Zero Cushion uses a Merino wool mix to create a comfortable and durable layer, and strategic seams to ward off chafing.

If you’re looking for one of the highest performance wool socks on the market, and like a thin, precise feeling sock, the Smartwool Performance Zero Cushion OTC is hard to beat and one of the best thin ski socks.
 

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Smartwool Performance Ski Zero Cushion POW Print OTC

 

The Smartwool Performance Zero Cushion Pow OTC takes the same lightweight performance and precise fit of the regular Performance Zero Cushion, and updates it with a graphic for POW. Protect Our Winters is an organization that’s dedicated to making skiing and riding more sustainable and fighting against human-caused climate change. This exclusive sock has all the high-end features of the regular Zero Cushion with the added bonus of the beautiful graphic and a message we can all get behind, all wrapped together into one of the best snowboard socks.

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Le Bent Core Ultra Light

 

The Le Bent Core Ultra Light hits a similar target as the Performance Zero Cushion socks, with some key differences. Chief among them is that it uses a bamboo/merino blend to create a unique fabric that’s soft, warm, and durable. And, while the Core Ultra Light uses a very thin material over most of the foot, it does have added shin padding, along with a specially woven heel that keeps the fabric from bunching up. So, if you want to combine the precise foot fit of an ultra thin sock, with some added shin padding and comfort, the Le Bent Core Ultra Light has you fully covered. 

This sock strikes a nice balance between many of the thicker and thinner models from other brands. It’s one of the best ski socks for cold feet with a thin, precise feel you’d expect, with a whole lot more comfort.
 

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Le Bent Core Light

 

The Le Bent Core Light is very similar to the Core Ultra Light. It has the same padded shin, and strategically woven heel that make the Ultra Light so great, but it uses slightly thicker material throughout. This makes it a slightly warmer sock that’s also a little more durable. So, if you’re not quite ready for ultra thin ski or snowboard socks, but want all of Le Bent’s legendary performance in a slightly comfier package, the Le Bent Core Light are some of the best snow socks for you.
 

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Stance Baux

 

Stance might be better known for their streetwear and heavier padded socks, but they also make some of the best winter socks and the Baux is a true ultralight performance-oriented sock. There’s no extra padding, just a very thin merino/nylon blend shell that wicks sweat away and makes for a rock solid interface between your feet and your boots. Stance has woven arch support into the Baux, so it keeps your foot from collapsing in your boots, without adding any bulk.

If you’re looking for a very thin, very high-performance sock, that still has some key comfort features, the Stance Baux Snow has your feet covered.
 

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Learn More With Our Other Accessories Guides:

• Sunglasses - How to Choose
• Sunglasses - Style & Face Shape
• Goggles - How to Choose
• Goggles - How to Wear Goggles with Glasses
• Helmets - How to Choose & Fit Guide
• Helmets - MIPS Technology
• Gloves & Mittens - How to Choose
• Hats - Types, Styles, & Materials
• Socks - How to Choose Ski & Snowboard Socks

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• The Best Ski & Snowboard Mittens
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• The Best Ski & Snowboard Socks
• The Best Ski & Snowboard Gloves
• The Best Kids' Ski & Snowboard Gloves
• The Best Ski & Snowboard Goggles
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