Smartwool has several Merino wool products, including t-shirts, sweaters, tights, and underwear. Still, the one thing they do the best is socks. In fact, after a brief search, we found that nearly three-quarters of their listed products are socks.
Out of all the Merino wool sock companies, Smartwool is one of our favorites. Although they sell many more products aside from socks, they have one of the best complete sock collections on the market.
Apart from their stated commitment to the environment, Smartwool has also put their money where their mouth is by creating a line of recycled fabric products. They use recycled wool fibers, along with nylon and polyester, for insulation and other applications. Not only does this help create less waste in landfills, but its innovative reclamation process offers high-quality garments.
We scour the clothing world to find you the best products crafted from Merino wool. Bear with us, as quality requires time. We consistently post new reviews, information, company profiles, and news about your favorite clothing material: Merino.
Your quality of experience in the realm of snow sports is widely dependent on the gear you have. Whether that is an top-notch ski jacket paired with photochromatic ski goggles on a stormy day or a comfortable helmet on a fun day out with the family, our in-depth and recommendation-based reviews are designed to help you select the best products for your needs.
The Smartwool Ski Intraknit OTC is our go-to ski sock. This lightweight targeted cushion model provides padding where you need it without influencing the overall fit of your boot. The thickness of this sock is most appropriate for boots that have yet to or are just starting to pack out. The overall fit is snug in key areas like the toe box, arch-heel cup, and upper cuff. Each one of these zones uses compression to ensure the sock will not bunch. Built-in mesh zones also improve breathability, particularly in the instep. Don't be fooled by the lightweight and woven mesh instep; it's kept us warm on cold Sierra ski days. The enhanced fibers of the Intraknit OTC are designed for increased breathability and high-intensity use, and we could tell.
Compared to its competition, the main drawbacks of the Intraknit OTC are its higher price and lack of a lifetime warranty. The price could be prohibitive to some users, especially those looking to have multiple pairs of the same sock. Smartwool does offer a two-year warranty; if you are unhappy with your products, they will work to get you into new gear. Some manufacturers, like Darn Tough, offer lifetime warranties on their socks and even cover holes. Still, Smartwool is a top name for a reason, and this particular sock is best for dedicated skiers and riders looking for a spectacular fit and breathability to keep their feet happy and warm.
Ski equipment isn't known for being cheap, but it may be a surprise that high-performing ski socks can cost a pretty penny, too. It is important to decide what you're willing to pay. Some lower-priced options perform nearly as well as their higher-priced counterparts. The Fox River Chatter Ultra Lightweight is one of the lowest-priced options with a technical performance build. These socks represent the lowest-priced option that we recommend. Spend less, and you're not likely to get a ski sock worth taking to the slopes. The Smartwool Ski Intraknit OTC took home our top award for its overall performance and build. It does have a higher price tag but still provides good value because of its warmth, profile, and high-quality materials. As you climb the price ladder into the category of compression socks like the CEP Ski Merino Tall Compression and Dissent GFX Compression Hybrid DLX-Wool, the value statement becomes more personalized and budget-based. These high-quality products should last and keep your feet happy, but the cost is significantly higher. Ski patrollers, instructors, and guides stand by both these products and often find the price tag worth it for the performance they receive.
Socks are a quick way to improve or degrade your ski experience. Very low-priced ski socks are often simple tubes of fabric that don't have a precise fit or wick moisture well. They are typically thicker in construction and offer nice warmth when dry, but as soon as you start moving, they don't breathe well. These are not high-value products, so be sure to avoid them if you know you're going to be moving as well as standing still, as one does on the ski hill.
The Icebreaker Ski+ Light, Smartwool Ski Intraknit, Ski Targeted Cushion, Ski Zero Cushion, and Darn Tough Pennant provide great and versatile fits. They all incorporate compression panels and elastane or spandex to provide a supportive and snug fit that stretches and maps the foot. The Icebreaker uses thinner padding, allowing for a more specific boot fit. The Smartwool models fit more like a compression sock, whereas the Icebreaker offers a little more room throughout the leg. As a result, we'd recommend the Icebreaker if you're looking for a longer sock with a little more volume throughout the calf. The upper cuff would sometimes slide down on our testers with skinnier legs. The Fox River Chatter offers a decent fit and good shape, but the lack of distinct compression zones in the toe, instep, heel, and shin means the fit is less snug and more prone to movement.
It's important to know that the sock you buy will last you more than just a few days on the mountain. This metric looks at overall construction quality and level of wear and tear after a winter of use. All products did okay in this metric, with none showing major failure or flaws through our testing period.
Years of experience have shown us, anecdotally, that Darn Tough socks tend to last the longest. We have also personally utilized their lifetime warranty, where we returned socks with a hole or torn seam, even after years of use, for a new pair. This makes them one of the highest-value products despite being on the upper end of the ski sock price spectrum.
GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.
The Ridgeway Gloves are inspired by traditional work gloves and will complement any ski or boarding wear. The Smartwool liner gloves are available in buck or black for $80 the glove has exceptional durability for all your boldest mountain adventures. Designed for warmth and comfort, the smartwool glove liners are made from a merino fabric and thumb and index finger are reinforced double layer material. Made of 100% leather with a lining constructed of 70% Merino wool and 30% nylon, the glove is optimal for Spring skiing.
Our Smartwool clothing review emphasized that customers felt that Smartwool clothing defined comfort. They said that they were the best socks they owned. Some loved everything about Smartwool. Those who transitioned to Smartwool, for one reason or another, were wholly converted. Smartwool products kept wearers dry and warm. Some customers found the products pricey but they said that they were worth it for the material, durability and feel.
Despite the nay-sayers, Smartwool comes out on top as a quality brand that carefully sources their materials and develops technical, performance gear for outdoor lovers. Smartwool can accompany outdoor adventurers in all weather, helping them to comfortably meet their goals with products that take care of the details and the unknowns. While products are not inexpensive, they are well crafted and mindfully designed for athletic pursuits.
Never buy Smartwool products if you are not in US or CA, the products have not quality control and the customers will not be covered by the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee even you buy it from the authorized dealers.
Best known for its rugged field boots and outdoor apparel, Timberland acquired SmartWool for $82 million in 2005. The New Hampshire-based outdoor outfitting supplier makes a full line of footwear including oxford and boat-style shoes, and began incorporating SmartWool into its products following the purchase.
Yes, I acknowledge that socks are critical garments in wearing just about every kind of shoe. I understand performance socks provide advantages to athletes where high-intensity activity yields sweaty-ass feet. I will acknowledge that thicker socks may provide more warmth or comfort, padding, cushioning, or support. Hell, I will even concede that socks with arch support provide some relief to the flatfooted or high-arched.
Based in Denver, Colorado, Smartwool is a sock and apparel brand whose products are designed to get the most out of the inherent benefits of Merino wool and to bring comfort, confidence, and community to a life lived outside. For information on the full range of Smartwool products or to find a dealer near you, please visit www.Smartwool.com. Smartwool, a division of VF Outdoor, LLC, is a brand of VF Corporation.
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