Andy Mink
Everyone loves spring skiing but not in January
Moderator
SkiTalk Tester
SkiTalk Supporter
What could be more exciting than reviewing a pair of socks? Well, to be honest, skis, boots, bindings, resorts, helmets...you get the idea. However, in the big scheme of things, socks are vitally important to not only comfort but also the fit and feel of your ski boots. Many threads on Pugski reference socks but speak of them only in generalities such as thin, super thin, too thick, or other descriptors. I bring to you, for your reading pleasure, an actual review!
After trying numerous brands of socks from Farm to Feet, Lorpen, and Thorlo, I was asked to give a pair of Dissent Genuflex Compression Full Protect socks a try. At first blush I thought, "WOW! These are really thick." Out of the package, yes, they are thick. They also appeared several sizes too small for my shoe size 10.5 feet. Well, after putting them on the smallness stretched and, along with it, the socks became much thinner. I like the fact they are foot specific and are marked as L and R. They give a good fit across the toes without any bunching. The toes are seamless. After putting them on, I felt a sudden empathy for ladies who have been putting nylons on for years. These socks are SNUG! You don't just put them on as much as roll them down and work them up bit by bit. They are, after all, compression socks. Like any ski sock it's important to make sure there are no wrinkles and the socks are equally snug all around your foot and leg. Once on they are very comfortable.
Off the foot the socks look tiny and thick
Socks are marked R and L for your comfort and convenience.
After about a dozen days skiing with them and washing them each time, they still retain their small, thick appearance. They still take a bit of effort to put on. The trade off is a sock that doesn't bunch in your boots or move around your shin and calf. I have bigger calves and appreciate Dissent's consistent fit all the way to the top of my calf without any tighter bands of material as some other socks have. At the end of the day I only have a little line where the grey insert meets the black portion of the sock. With other socks I get a circumferential indentation from the top elastic band that can actually hurt by the end of the day.
The shin/calf portion of the socks
The next big question is "are they warm"? Honestly, my feet did get cold one day while wearing these. That was at Big Sky and it was cold. Period. My other socks are no better helping keep my feet warm in my Raptor 140 boots, which have a reputation of being cold boots to begin with. The Dissents are, however, very comfortable in the boots. They are just thick enough to fill in any slightly loose spots without causing pressure in other spots. Moisture wicking was quite good and my feet were dry at the end of each day. This model is full synthetic though Dissent has a hybrid merino wool/synthetic sock and a merino sock with just enough synthetic material to keep its shape. I am going to try the merino wool version to see if there is a noticeable difference in fit, function, and warmth.
At $50 per pair these socks are not inexpensive. However, because of the fit and manufacturing quality these socks have, I wouldn't let the cost scare you away. They appear to be a multi-season sock for all but the highest day-count skiers. For full specs from Dissent take a look here.
After trying numerous brands of socks from Farm to Feet, Lorpen, and Thorlo, I was asked to give a pair of Dissent Genuflex Compression Full Protect socks a try. At first blush I thought, "WOW! These are really thick." Out of the package, yes, they are thick. They also appeared several sizes too small for my shoe size 10.5 feet. Well, after putting them on the smallness stretched and, along with it, the socks became much thinner. I like the fact they are foot specific and are marked as L and R. They give a good fit across the toes without any bunching. The toes are seamless. After putting them on, I felt a sudden empathy for ladies who have been putting nylons on for years. These socks are SNUG! You don't just put them on as much as roll them down and work them up bit by bit. They are, after all, compression socks. Like any ski sock it's important to make sure there are no wrinkles and the socks are equally snug all around your foot and leg. Once on they are very comfortable.
Off the foot the socks look tiny and thick
Socks are marked R and L for your comfort and convenience.
After about a dozen days skiing with them and washing them each time, they still retain their small, thick appearance. They still take a bit of effort to put on. The trade off is a sock that doesn't bunch in your boots or move around your shin and calf. I have bigger calves and appreciate Dissent's consistent fit all the way to the top of my calf without any tighter bands of material as some other socks have. At the end of the day I only have a little line where the grey insert meets the black portion of the sock. With other socks I get a circumferential indentation from the top elastic band that can actually hurt by the end of the day.
The shin/calf portion of the socks
The next big question is "are they warm"? Honestly, my feet did get cold one day while wearing these. That was at Big Sky and it was cold. Period. My other socks are no better helping keep my feet warm in my Raptor 140 boots, which have a reputation of being cold boots to begin with. The Dissents are, however, very comfortable in the boots. They are just thick enough to fill in any slightly loose spots without causing pressure in other spots. Moisture wicking was quite good and my feet were dry at the end of each day. This model is full synthetic though Dissent has a hybrid merino wool/synthetic sock and a merino sock with just enough synthetic material to keep its shape. I am going to try the merino wool version to see if there is a noticeable difference in fit, function, and warmth.
At $50 per pair these socks are not inexpensive. However, because of the fit and manufacturing quality these socks have, I wouldn't let the cost scare you away. They appear to be a multi-season sock for all but the highest day-count skiers. For full specs from Dissent take a look here.
Last edited: