Best Socks for Skiing and Snowboarding
Choices, choices. Do you like light cushioning or a little extra padding in your boot? It all comes down to your personal preference. Consider the Ritter Ski Socks if you really like to "feel" your foot move as one with your boot. The Banked Midweight Socks are also great for a close-fitting boot, but they offer a bit more reinforcement and extra warmth.
Best Socks for Ski Touring
We really like the Banked Midweight for ski touring. When you head out it will likely be cold, but once you get going you'll start generating a lot of heat. You'll need a sock that can adapt to the elements and your level of exertion.
The Banked Sock does just that — keeps you warm when needed and dumps heat and wicks sweat when needed, so your feet stay comfortable, dry and odor-free throughout your adventure.
Ski touring, splitboarding or snowshoeing are fun ways to explore in the winter, whether you're heading to a backcountry ski line or just to a hot spring. Photo: Sammy Deleo
Best Socks for Fat Biking
As with the above cold weather activities, staying warm is key. While your core heats up, your fingers and toes bear the brunt of heat loss during fat biking. Choose an above-the-calf Merino wool sock option to ensure you're covered and no snow flies up where it shouldn't. The Banked Socks will do the trick.
Biking in the snow? Yes please! Photo credit: Greg Weaver for Beargrease.
Best Socks for Mountain Biking
No question: our low-cut Rock Creek Socks or our just-above-the-ankle Minaret socks are the best for mountain biking. Super breathable, no stink means you can leave these babies for days (or weeks...) at a time in your bike bin without washing and you'll still get guaranteed softness and freshness wear after wear.
Best Socks for Trail Running
The Ridge Rock Creek low-cut ankle socks are great for running, and for a bit more length, consider the Minaret Lightweight Merino wool socks. Breathable with just a bit of lightweight cushion along the base of your foot, these all-season socks will go the extra mile and keep your feet comfortable along the way, no matter how tough the terrain is.
Andy Clark cruises through the Alps in the Minaret Crew Socks and a Ridge t-shirt while training for the UTMB. Photo: Shannon Robertson
Best Socks for Hiking
This is a toss up, depending on your shoe choice. If you're wearing a low hiking shoe, you could go with the Rock Creek ankle sock or the Minaret Crew sock, which hits just above the ankle.
If you're wearing hiking boots, definitely consider lacing up with the Minaret Crew Merino wool socks. Photo: Brandon Russell
Best Socks for Camping
We love the Minaret Crew Socks to keep the toes toasty in the evening for whiskey by the fire, overnight in the sleeping bag and the early morning "where's-the-coffee?" frost fest. These socks stay fresh for days on end, so you only need to pack one pair. These are also great for keeping you warm during that midnight bathroom break or impromptu sunrise stroll.
