How Do You Like Your Socks?  Farm Fresh, Says Tamsin.

Do you have those mornings when your lower back is a bit stiff from yesterday’s skiing, and you try to pull on your ski socks standing up and almost fall over? I have. A pair of ski socks just stretchy enough to slip on easily is a key happiness factor. I found those in Farm to Feet socks.

My Lange boots are fairly snug, so I wear lighter socks than I used to. Farm to Feet socks, made of merino wool, some nylon, and a touch of LYCRA® Spandex (for the stretch noted above), use a plaiting construction that puts cushioning in just the right pressure points, despite their overall thinness.

Not everyone agrees that a thinner sock is a warmer sock. Instead, they grab for the thickest pair in the drawer on those ten-below days. Also, skiers tend to need thicker socks when your boots become packed out after several seasons of wear. But others argue that a thinner sock allows better circulation, so your toes don’t freeze. I have yet to test this theory, but another plus worth noting is that with less bulk, your foot conveys more finely tuned signals to your boots and skis. My feet are like control central when I wear the Waitsfield lightweight socks.

Also, using Lycra fiber creates a firm fit that helps support the foot. Seamless toes mean no bulking up of material. Despite multiple wears/washes, they’re not pilling, thinning, or stretching. And they come in colorful patterns that are fun to wear!

Like the farm to table movement, Farm to Feet caters to those who like to know the product’s origins. This ski sock maker uses merino wool from sheep in the western United States. The wool is then sent back east, spun, and made into socks in Mt. Airy, N.C.

One supplier is Fred Roberts, a third-generation rancher, who raises 7,000 sheep at Roberts Ranch, in Cokeville, Wyo.

“I like the animals, I like the lifestyle and being outdoors,” says Fred, who mountain bikes and skis in his spare time.

The Adventure Snow Line for men and women skiers consists of six over-the-calf models ($20-$26)  in different weights. Each sock is designed with a specific ski area in mind.

The Park City midweight is the heaviest and most cushioned; Alpine Meadows and Waitsfield are lightweight versions; Sugar Mountain is a light Nordic sock; the Jackson is an ultra light racer.

The Franconia lightweight ski sock, with classic diamond-knit styling, honors the Turtle Ridge Foundation of Franconia, N.H., the non-profit founded by Olympic champion Bode Miller and his family, which supports youth and adaptive ski programs. Your purchase helps support the foundation.

So you can wear ski socks that not only make your feet feel great but also support a good cause.