Ski socks are one of the most underrated parts of your ski outfit. The wrong pair of socks can cause cold, sore and uncomfortable feet, which can really put a downer on your time on the slopes.

This guide is going to talk through the different materials you should look for or avoid, the style of fit you need and another other features you could look out for.

When looking for ski socks, there are key fabrics you should be on the lookout for. Synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, elastane and acrylic are often combined to bring out the best features of each fabric.

• Polyester - It is able to wick away sweat, and offers a soft feel whilst still retaining good thermal properties.
• Nylon - This fabric is incredibly durable, and hardwearing which makes it the perfect choice to use in the reinforced areas, eg toes, shins and heels. Nylon has also been known to have some anti-bacterial properties which helps with odour control.
• Elastane - As the name suggest, this fabric is stretchy and provides the elasticity that stops socks from sliding up and down or bunching together.

If you are looking for more of a natural fabric, then look out for woollen socks. Wool, especially Merino wool has wicking properties as well as being able to provide comfort and warmth. They can be more expensive that synthetic socks, however they can last much longer between washes as the odour and bacterial doesn't build up as fast. Merino also maintains the shape and durability better than other types of wool.

When looking for socks, you want pairs that fit snugly. There's a fine art between a snug fit and when something is too tight. You want that feeling of comfort without restriction.

There are two different types of socks that both fit slightly different. The basic style of ski sock is classed as a tube sock. This is what you would class your 'normal' socks as. It's a long tube of fabric that has the toe section sown on. This style is simple, affordable and gets the job done. If you're looking for a sock style that is more technical, then you want an ergonomic fit sock. These styles are created using an anatomical design. They have features including angled toe boxes, shaping around the arch/instep and sown specifically for each foot.

You can also choose between different types of sock thickness: lightweight, midweight and heavyweight. The lightweight socks should be worn on warmer days. They also allow you to have more flexibility as the thicker the socks are, the less flexible they are. Midweight socks are a good catch all that has the best balance between warmth and performance and heavyweight socks are angled more for colder temperatures. If you're planning on spending a lot of time on the slopes and worry about comfort then look got heavyweight socks. But be aware that there could be a drop in performance due to the lack in flexibility.

Other features that you may want to look for when you next go shopping for ski socks include looking at their levels of both cushioning and support. Cushioning is the key thing that helps with the feeling of comfort. The cushioning is positioned in high pressure areas such as the instep, the ankle and the shin. The support ties into the cushioning with them both working together to ensure your instep and arch doesn't move or flex into unnatural or uncomfortable positions whilst skiing.

Another feature you may want to look for is how breathable the socks and the fabrics are. You want socks that offer a high level of ventilation so that your feet stay fresh and dry.

One final thing to remember when looking at ski socks is to avoid wearing two pairs at one time. You might think you're doubling up on the benefits but you're doing the opposite! So take into account all you ski factors and happy shopping!