ProView –  Darn Tough Ski Socks Review

Darn Tough’s ski sock lineup is versatile with multiple levels of cushioning and thickness for winter to spring tours. As with any Darn Tough sock, they feel sturdy and durable the first time you slip them on.

I’m very picky about my ski equipment. I usually find something I like, use it to death, and then buy it again (unless it has been discontinued). I’m even pickier about what I put on my feet. I have one pair of boots I use for pretty much every ski tour, tape my feet in a certain way every day, and have a rotation of socks that I use regularly. All of that to say, it’s hard to get me to change my ways.

I tested out 4 pairs of socks from Darn Tough: one super lightweight thickness, one lightweight thickness, and two midweight thickness.

Sizing

I preferred the ‘lightweight’ thickness for my touring in the Cascades and Tetons. I’m picky about how much volume I need in my boots, as I’ve suffered frost injuries in the past and don’t have the best circulation in my toes. The super lightweight thickness seems like a great weight for warm, spring touring here in the Cascades once it becomes ‘volcano season’ and I’m really excited to try them out in May and June.

The midweight thickness was a bit too thick for touring here in the PNW. Simply put, it’s just not that cold here. I could see myself using them more regularly in Utah/Colorado/Tetons in midwinter when temperatures are in the low teens/single digits, or up in Alaska. 

Calf Height

The socks come up high for me, right around my kneecap (for reference, I am 6’2” and wear a size 13 US shoe, I tested the size XL socks). They are marketed as ‘over the calf’ but they almost feel more like ‘over the knee’. This was one element I didn’t love so much. I opted to fold over the elastic band atop the sock to sit beneath my knee. When I didn’t, it felt like it was constricting the top of my lower leg too much.

Cushioning

The selective cushioning of the socks on the foot and forefoot is good, around the balls of the foot and near the heel. The calf/mid-sock has some level of compression to it, even though it’s not a compression sock. I enjoyed this, as I usually wear compression socks ski touring to try and improve circulation to my feet/toes. The socks feel soft and comfortable to the skin.

The Final Word

I’ve loved the lightweight Darn Tough socks for late winter and spring ski touring in the Cascades. They are durable, comfortable, and fit my ski boot liners well. Darn Tough has a great lineup of ski socks with different thickness and warmth levels for you to check out!

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