Darn Tough Mountaineering OTC Extra Cushion Sock Review
As someone who suffers from poor circulation, I’m pretty much cold all the time. I wear sweaters to the office in the summer and always carry an extra layer in my purse just in case I get chilly. And the one part of my body that gets the coldest is always my feet. Which is why I was very concerned about staying warm on a recent ski trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
As a novice skier, I wasn’t really sure what to wear under my ski gear, so I threw on several layers of clothing and two pairs of socks and headed over to meet my ski instructor and get fitted for my boot and ski rentals. I was quickly informed that doubling up on socks is a no-no. Since ski boots are so tight and heavy, wearing multiple pairs can cut off your circulation.
RELATED: The 12 Warmest Winter Socks You Can Buy
Between the two pairs I had on, I decided to stick with my pair of Darn Tough Mountaineering OTC Extra Cushion Socks as they were much thicker than my backup. As I left the other socks behind at the ski lodge, I started to panic that wearing only one pair of socks wouldn’t be enough to keep my feet warm — especially with how windy and snowy it was outside — but I was pleasantly surprised. I lasted an entire day on the slopes in below-freezing temperatures, plus a few hours après ski in them, without my feet feeling cold.
Made from a thick merino wool, these super-warm socks feature moisture-wicking and antimicrobial capabilities, which helped keep my feet dry and smell-free through a full day of downhill skiing. They hit right below the knee, so they kept my calves warm too, and they didn’t slip or slide down a single time throughout the day full of cold-weather activities.
Aside from being extremely warm, I also loved how comfortable they were. They offer ample cushioning in the sole and are totally seamless — another factor I learned is extremely important when it comes to ski socks.
Perhaps the best part, the made-in-Vermont socks come with a lifetime guarantee, and they’re conveniently available for purchase on Amazon. At $30 a pair, they are definitely more expensive than others on the market. But given the fact that they kept my constantly-cold feet warm during a snowstorm in one of the coldest parts of the country, I would consider them well worth the investment.
To buy: amazon.com, $30
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