What Socks should I wear in my Skates?

The right socks are an important piece of equipment for skating that sometimes get overlooked. While most people will focus on their skates (and rightfully so), the wrong fit of socks can completely ruin your skating experience and, in the case of wearing no socks at all, completely ruin your skates.

While fit and comfort both apply to figure skates and hockey skates, in that, feeling good in your skates is always what’s going to matter most. There are some slight nuances to look for when comparing a good sock for hockey skates vs a good sock for figure skates.

Jump to:

• What Socks should I wear in my Hockey Skates?
• What Socks should I wear in my Figure Skates?

What Socks should I wear in my Hockey Skates?

What sock you choose to wear in your hockey skates will ultimately come down to personal preference. That is, you’re most likely going to wear whatever sock you feel most comfortable in.

Skating socks preferences for hockey players can mostly be put into 4 categories:

Thicker Socks

Usually for skaters who like more of a cushion in their skates.

Thin Socks

Usually for players who like to have more feel in their skates.

I don’t care what Socks

The guy or girl who will happily wear wool socks, cotton socks, leather socks and still go out and play the exact same game regardless.

No Socks

Who needs socks?

Just put your bare flipper in there and let it rip.

Even though we’re talking about skating socks, the barefoot option is quite popular amongst hockey players. But the debate about wearing socks vs going barefoot in your skates has more consequences than simply the preference or comfort of the skater.

So let’s dive into that topic.

Should I wear socks or go barefoot in my skates?

Remember how we said your sock choice will ultimately come down to personal preference?

Well, we may have slightly lied.

Depending on who foots the bill for your hockey skates, their personal preference might be to not have to buy you new skates every season.

If you’re one of those hockey players who prefers to go barefoot in his or her skates, you’re more than likely going to be needing new skates sooner than the skater who wears socks in their skates. Additionally, your skates may stink. Like really stink.

This is where a super thin sock can be really useful.

Verdict: A good skating sock for hockey skates will come down to the skater’s preference. Thicker for skaters who want more of a cushioned feel in their skates. Thinner for skaters who want more feel in their skates. For skaters who like going barefoot, consider a super thin sock to give a similar barefoot feel, but increase the longevity of their skates.

What Socks should I wear in my Figure Skates?

While fit is important in hockey skates, fit is absolutely paramount for figure skates. If you’re able to fit thick socks into your figure skates, chances are your skates aren’t properly sized.

Here are some key points to keep in mind when choosing the right skating sock for figure skates:

Go thinner, not thicker.

You shouldn’t be able to fit a thick sock comfortably into your figure skate. If you can, chances are your skates aren’t properly sized. Additionally, a thinner sock will give you more feel in your skates. It’s no secret that the ability to accurately feel your edges on the ice is an absolute must for any figure skater, especially competitive ones.

A thinner sock will give more feel.

Thinees socks are a super-thin sock that give you a near-barefoot skating experience.

And that’s a good thing :)

No bunching.

You need socks that won’t bunch up around your feet or around your ankles. This is a key for better comfort, but also for better control and performance. So find a sock that fits your foot and ankle snug.

Go seamless.

The less seams, the better. Similar to a sock that doesn’t bunch, seamless socks allow you to have a better feel in your skates. Better feel equals better performance.

Verdict: A good sock for figure will not be too thick, since that could mean your skates aren’t sized properly, and are preferably fitted and seamless for optimal feel and comfort.

What do you look for in a skating sock?

Let us know in the comments below.

Until next time...