Advnture Verdict
These technical ski socks perform under cold and sweaty conditions and don’t take up too much room in your ski boot
Pros
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Stretchy, articulated fit
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Non-bulky padding on shin and Achilles
- +
Anatomical toe box for better fit
- +
Breathable, fast drying fabric
Cons
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Relatively expensive
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Not as soft as similar ski socks
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Icebreaker Merino Ski+ Light Over the Calf Socks: first impressions
Icebreaker is one of the top names in ski socks, relying on the moisture-wicking properties of merino wool to make technical gear that keeps you warm in cold weather and cool when things heat up. The Merino Ski+ Light Over the Calf socks are designed for both resort skiing and more vigorous ski touring. The articulated fit is boosted by an anatomical toe box and the light-medium weight of these socks means they’re not too bulky inside your boot if you’re skiing uphill but they’re warm enough for sitting on a chilly chairlift.
Extra padding on the shin and Achilles plus seamless toes and a sculpted fit eliminates any annoying chafing or bunching inside your boot, plus a wide comfortable band at the calf ensures they stay in place. These ski socks come at more of a premium price but are versatile enough for cold and spring skiing and hold up against sweaty feet and they dry quickly.
• RRP: $28 (US) / £26 (UK)
• Unisex: Men’s and women’s sizing available
• Sizes available: Men’s: S-XL, women’s: S-L
• Materials: Wool (53%), Nylon (44%), Elastane (3%)
• Colors: Black, Loden/black, Espresso/monsoon
• Best use: Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing
Icebreaker Merino Ski+ Light Over the Calf Socks: on the slopes
I’ve owned a couple of pairs of Icebreaker ski socks over the years and got plenty of good use out of them on chairlifts and in the backcountry so I was excited to get a new pair. As expected, these ones fit snugly – not quite at the compression level but enough to feel secure and stay in place. Though their wool blend isn’t as soft as other ski socks, it’s perfectly comfortable on my skin with no itching.
These socks are the perfect weight for me. They’re just thick enough that I trust them for hanging out on a chairlift when the temperature dip down below freezing, but not so thick and warm that I can’t wear them for ski touring. They have a little extra padding on the shin and Achilles but not so much that they don’t slide easily inside my boot. I do like that they have a right/left foot articulated fit and that they are nice and long with chance of slipping down.
I’ve been able to work up a good sweat in these socks too without my feet getting too hot or clammy, and can wear them again and again without having to wash them in between. The price of these ski socks might make you look elsewhere, but they’ll definitely hold up for a few seasons and really make a good all-rounder ski sock.
Here’s how they performed:
Sizing
True to size.
Fit
These are snug without being too tight and articulated around the arch and instep with an anatomical toe box. They come all the way up over the calf and stay there.
Comfort
The sculpted fit plus absence of seams in the toes and extra padding in the shin makes these stay in place, which is half the battle and while the fabric isn’t as soft as some, they’re perfectly comfortable.
Temperature regulation
Warm enough for quite cold days and not too warm for spring skiing.
Breathability
These wick moisture nicely on the uphill and dry quickly so you’re not freezing while you’re taking the skins off your skis.
Durability
Merino wool isn’t as durable as synthetic fibers, but these have a decent amount of nylon in them, and while they might show some signs of wear and tear after a few months, they’ll keep their stretch and fit.
