As a lightly cushioned option, the Ski+ Light dries quickly and thermoregulates over a vast range of temperatures. This merino wool blend is perfect if you're looking for a little bit of comfort with the perks of lightweight performance.
Performance Comparison
Eddy skins up the trail, pointing out potential descents for the future in quick to dry Ski+ Light.
Comfort
This sock is super cozy and comfortable. It offers a thin level of cushioning in all the right places. Find it under the foot at the site of the heel and toes. A unique feature that we didn't see in any other product is a slight amount of cushioning in the calf and the shin.
A look at the internal construction of the Ski+ Light. It offers a light design with soft materials that are cozy against the skin and some additional padding on the calf that no other sock features (among our test group).
Other socks like the Darn Tough Over-The-Calf Padded Light and Smartwool PhD Ski Medium don't have this additional level of padding. The sock is made out of 57% Merino Wool, 40% Nylon, and 3% Lycra, offering a soft to the touch feel against the skin. Since it dries quickly and wicks well, it can be worn all day - from the hills to bed.
A deeper look at the padding and compression panelling that provides an exceptional overall fit.
Warmth
Providing warmth on both dry and wet days, many of our testers didn't need additional boot warmers or the like when temps plummeted. Utilizing a high density of merino wool in its thin construction, it retains heat well and insulates even when wet. If you're seeking a thinner sock option that provides ample warmth, this is it. Wear it on cold days, wet or dry.
Good insulation underfoot with great breathability equates to warmth in all temperatures.
Drying Speed & Wicking Ability
Looking for something that can dry quickly and wick effectively? Utilizing 40% nylon in its construction, this sock has some serious wicking ability. For the most part, our feet stayed dry, even when the sock got wet. To boot, when on a hut trip in Aspen, Colorado, we easily wore the sock from the hill to bed. When taking off our boots, the sock dried within a few minutes, providing comfort and the ability to wear all day.
Eddy wore this sock while skiing, then around the hut, then to bed. Quick to dry, its got great wicking ability all around.
Fit
Constructed as a light design, it fits very well underneath tight boots. When putting boots on, it doesn't deform, bunch, or roll. While skiing, the sock stays in place, utilizing the integrated compression panels under the arch with a tinier heel cup for a more precise fit. Comparatively, it's a little taller than the Fox River Telluride (our Best Buy winner) and a shorter than the Darn Tough. For fabric thickness, it's in between thickness in comparison to the Smartwool PhD Medium and the Darn Tough Over-The-Calf Padded Light. A great in-between option that fits nicely underneath boots both tight and loose.
A look at the fit.
Durability
While this sock didn't fall the shreds during our three-month testing period, it shows the most wear and tear. The seams have held up fine, but the fabric in high use areas has compacted under pressure. As a result, it's lost a bit of warmth after a season of hard use. The construction looks decent, but not as high quality as more durable options like the Darn Tough or Smartwool. It does come with a lifetime guarantee, which is a huge bonus!
A look at some areas of compression and compaction observed after just a few weeks of use. Not the best durability overall.
Best Applications
This sock is simply all-around awesome, which is why it was considered for our Editors Choice Award. Wear it in all types of weather for resort skiing and trips into the unknown. It's perfect for more aerobic days, so don't be afraid to use it while cross-country skiing or skinning uphill. Warm or cold, its wide range of thermoregulation will keep you warm. It seems like there isn't anything this sock couldn't do.
Jo gets ready for descent after hiking uphill for a while. The Icebreaker socks are perfect for this.
Value
Listed for $24 retail, it's a buck or two cheaper than other high-end socks and our Editor's Choice winner. While it doesn't seem to offer the same bomber durability as the Smartwool, it still performs remarkably on the hill. While there are some other high-value options, we still think the price is right on for its level of performance.
Conclusion
The Icebreaker Ski+ Light is a perfect go-to if you like a little bit of cushioning, but need a thin sock that will perform in all sorts of weather. If you need to keep your feet warm and dry, this is one of our top choices.
