Eco-Friendly Ski and Snowboarding Socks
Image: Ingusk, Adobe Stock
Buying sustainable socks isn’t the most important thing when it comes to climate change (how you get to the slopes impacts the environment more), but the global apparel and footwear industries do account for about 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and also 5 percent of landfill waste, so it doesn’t hurt to buy eco-conscious socks for your adventures.
Like with your eco-friendly performance socks, you’ll want to choose a pair that allows you to ride with cool, dry feet all day for years to come. It might make you feel good to know that a lot of your favorite ski and snowboard sock manufacturers are already taking action to produce socks with more eco-consciousness.
Here are the most sustainable socks for hitting the slopes:
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Fox River
Fox River ski and snowboard socks are made in the U.S.A in a factory that is run on renewable energy. Their socks are constructed using many sustainable materials. Fox River socks are well-made and durable.
How sustainable are Fox River ski and snowboard socks?
Energy use: 100 percent renewable energy wind, solar and hydroelectric.
Materials: Fox River uses materials such as Merino wool, recycled cotton, TENCEL and Thermolite (a more eco-friendly material). For example, one pair of Fox River ski socks is made from 41 percent Merino wool, 31 percent Nylon, 24 percent Thermolite®, 2 percent spandex and 2 percent polyester.
Circularity: Fox River has both an internal waste reduction program and a recycling program.
Governance: Fox River is a privately owned company. Their factory is in Osage, Iowa.
Certifications: Their factory is WRAP certified. WRAP is an independent, non-profit organization that certifies lawful, humane and ethical manufacturing.
Fox River Ski Socks for Women | Fox River Ski Socks for Men | Fox River Snow Socks for Kids
TEKO
TEKO is a brand that was founded with eco-performance in mind. They have a number of high quality sustainability initiatives baked into the foundation of their organization and create quality performance socks.
How sustainable are TEKO ski and snowboard socks?
Energy use: TEKO socks are made in a factory that is run on renewable energy, “when available.” While this isn’t a great measure, they do at least run on some renewable energy.
Materials: TEKO socks are made from Merino wool from Chile, recycled polyester made from plastic drinks bottles and regenerated polyamide made from commercial fishing nets. Their socks are chlorine free and use Bluesign® certified dyes that are free from allergens, carcinogens, heavy metals or formaldehyde. All of their raw materials are transported by boat.
Circularity: TEKO’s website does not mention a recycling program (learn how to recycle your old textiles here).
Governance: TEKO was founded by avid trail runner, backcountry skier, cyclist and mountaineer Gordon Fraser.
Certifications:TEKO’s products use Bluesign® certified dyes. They have also won an Eco-Performance Awards at the International OutDoor Trade Show in Germany. All of their products meet the OekoTex100 standard.
(disclosure: TEKO sent me a few pairs of socks to sample about a year ago, and now they are my go-to running socks. You can use code GAIA20 for 20% off)
Darn Tough
Darn Tough might not be perfect when it comes to sustainability, but they do take an honest and thorough look at their sustainability practices, and make real achievable goals for the future, in their sustainability initiatives. A few practices of note are: the use of RWS certified Merino wool, some use of recycled fibers and recycled packaging options.
How sustainable are Darn Tough ski and snowboard socks?
Energy use: Darn Tough doesn’t mention renewable energy on their website.
Materials: Darn Tough says they are shifting their material base to 100 percent Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)-certified wool. It looks like they haven’t achieved that goal yet, but are honest about the work ahead.
Circularity: Darn Tough’s website does not mention circularity. Their socks are made to be durable, which does reduce waste.
Governance: Darn Tough is a family-owned business located in Northfield, Vermont.
Certifications: Darn Tough’s wool is RWS certified.
Darn Tough Women’s Ski and Snowboard Socks | Men’s Ski and Snowboard Socks | Darn Tough Kid’s Ski and Snowboard Socks
Smartwool
Smartwool makes socks for all activities out of sustainable materials like Merino wool. They have publicized a committment to becoming more sustainable on several measures by 2030, but do not yet have a public facing sustainability report available (their parent company, VF releases a sustainability report, but it does not break down Smartwool’s progress).
How sustainable are Smartwool ski and snowboard socks?
Energy use: Smartwool is transitioning to regenerative Merino sheep farming through the ZQRX platform as 53 percent of their carbon footprint is from sheep farming. They plan to source from 100 percent regenerative farms by 2025. Additionally, Smartwool’s parent company VF has committed to running on 100 percent renewable energy by 2026 as part of the RE100 program.
Materials: Smartwool socks are made from ZQ Merino wool, which means that growers adhere to standards around fiber quality, animal welfare, social responsibility and care for the environment.
Circularity: Smartwool included 100 percent circularity in their roadmap to 2030 sustainability.
Governance: Smartwool is owned by VF, which also owns brands such as The North Face, Vans, Dickies, Icebreaker and Altra.
Certifications: Smartwool Merino wool is ZQ Accredited.
Kind Hemp Co.
Hemp is one of the most sustainable fabrics out there it has low water use, decomposes quickly and the crop has carbon sequestering properties. This makes Kind Hemp Co. an option for sustainable ski and snowboard socks. One performance concern about these socks is that they are made partially from organic cotton, which might not stand up to a cold and wet day on the hill.
How sustainable are Kind Hemp Co. ski and snowboard socks?
Energy use: Kind Hemp Co. does not mention any use of renewable energy on their website.
Materials: Kind Hemp Co.’s ski and snowboard socks are made from 54 percent organic hemp, 41 percent organic cotton and 5 percent spandex. They say that they use low-impact and azo-free dyes. They also offer eco-friendly shipping materials.
Circularity: Kind Hemp Co. does not mention any waste reduction or recycling projects.
Governance: Kind Hemp Co. is operated by small hemp farmers in Arboles, Colorado.
Certifications: Kind Hemp Co. does not mention any certifications on their website.
Kind Hemp Co. Ski & Snowboard Socks
No matter which sustainable snow sport socks you decide to buy, make sure to buy socks that will last through your adventures a long time. Here’s a tutorial on how to darn your socks to extend their life:
When your ski and snowboard socks have reached their end, recycle them so they don’t end up in the landfill. Adopting a more sustainable lifestyle, even down to the details of our socks can help us all create a livable future.
