When you’re ice fishing, the last things you want to experience are your feet getting cold and if they’re sweaty, your feet and socks getting wet. This and more can be prevented if you buy the right pair of socks when you go ice fishing.
Shopping online for socks can be a daunting task, especially when sizes might run big or small or you aren’t sure which texture will feel best for your feet. Nothing is more discouraging than getting a new pair of socks to make your feet feeling extra itchy, sweaty, or cold.
What to Look for When Purchasing Ice Fishing Socks Online
While you can buy ice fishing socks in the store, sometimes you want to just get your one stop shopping done online. Some considerations to take when getting ice fishing socks online and in general are:
Brand
There is a reason that different brands are well known for their quality. Many buyers tend to go for specific brands and once they find one, they like, they keep buying from them and letting their friends know who to buy from.
Some of the best brands we’ve found for ice fishing socks are:
- Darn Tough
- Smartwool
- B. Field’s
- Striker
Shipping
Whether it’s the cost of shipping or how long it will take for your socks to get to you will affect if you buy your ice fishing socks online or in store. Some ice fishing socks may also originate from a country you don’t want to do business with, or the shipping time will be affected by customs.
Material
It doesn’t matter if you’re shopping online or at a brick and mortar store, the material of your ice fishing socks is essential. Not all fabrics are created equally and if you get the wrong fabric, the quality, durability, and functionality will be affected.
| Fabric | Should You Use It? | Benefits and Drawbacks |
| Merino Wool | Yes | Amazing at insulating feet |
| Neoprene | Yes | Great at insulating feet |
| Acrylic | Yes and no | Affordable and machine washable, but the material doesn’t breathe well, so you’re more likely to get blisters |
| Cotton | No | Absorbs sweat and will lead to your feet freezing |
| Heated Socks | Yes and no | Must make sure they are waterproof |
Other Features
While some socks are just… socks, sometimes you want a few more bells and whistles to enhance your comfort and protection while ice fishing. Some things to look out for when buying ice fishing socks are:
- Padding on the heel and ball of the foot
- Arch reinforcements to improve support and reduce fatigue
- Waterproof
- Toe socks to prevent blisters between your toes
- Cut style, whether you prefer up to the knee or just over the ankle
Customer Reviews
When you buy anything online, it’s essential to pay attention to customer reviews. This will tell you if it’s worth buying, trying, or passing on the product. It’s important to see what other people say about a product because it can potentially save you a lot of time and frustration with getting the wrong socks. You shouldn’t have to settle for a pair that was not as expected.
Some things to look out for in reviews are:
- Rating: Generally, go for socks and products that are 4 stars and above with at least 100 ratings.
- True to size: Be sure to search the ratings to see if previous buyers thought that the socks were too big, too small, or just right.
- Customer service: This is important, especially if you’re chancing a pair of socks that have fewer ratings online. This will be handy if you need to return the socks for any reason.
When looking at customer reviews, be sure to also check for recent reviews. Sometimes the quality starts off great, but after a few years, the reviews start to decline.
Price
While getting the right pair of socks for your ice fishing trip is an investment, spending the most money doesn’t always mean the best product. You always want to get the most bang for your buck. Generally, ice fishing socks should run you in the $12 to $25 range per pair.
You also want to consider getting several pairs of socks, especially if there is an accident and you become submerged, but still want to keep up your ice fishing or you’re going on a multi-day ice fishing trip.
Now that you know what to look for, you can also be assured that we have gone through each of these socks to make sure that they are the best possible fit for you.
Best Merino Wool Socks for Ice Fishing
Merino wool is hands down the best material you can get for ice fishing socks. Merino wool is an excellent material for ice fishing because it:
- Insulates your feet, preventing the cold from getting in but your feet from overheating, even if they get wet
- Is thinner than traditional wool, so you won’t have to worry about your feet feeling cramped or sizing up your boots
- Comes in different weights so if you prefer a medium or heavy weight sock, you have options
- Is moisture-wicking, so you don’t have to worry about your feet sweating and growing bacteria
- Prevents odors, since they prevent bacteria from growing, you don’t have to worry about your feet getting smelly
Here are some of our favorite merino wool socks for ice fishing.
Darn Tough Merino Wool Boot Sock
The Darn Tough merino wool boot socks definitely need to come first on our list of the best socks for ice fishing. They’re some of the highest rated merino wool socks online for many reasons. These socks are boot socks, so they will cover most of your calf. They are made of merino wool, nylon, Lycra, and spandex and are midweight.
The Darn Tough merino wool boot socks come in men’s and women’s sizes ranging from a small (men’s 5.5-7.5/women’s 7.5-9.5) to a large for women (women’s 12-14) and XXL men’s (men’s 15-17).
They come in several different colors including black, eclipse (navy blue and yellow), olive, charcoal, chocolate, oatmeal, and onyx.
What probably is the best thing about these socks is that they have a lifetime warranty, so you know they will last, and if they need to be replaced, Darn Tough will replace them. Some other great characteristics of these socks are:
- Amazing support: they don’t slip or bunch
- No blisters: your feet won’t get blisters from sweat and friction
- Dense cushioning: your feet will stay comfortable
- Seamless seams: you won’t be able to tell there’s a seem due to the high density knitting
If you’re not a fan of boot socks and want a lower cut, they also have micro crew socks that go halfway up your calf.
Smartwool Classic Hiking Socks
The Smartwool classic hiking socks are one of the best and most affordable merino wool socks out there. Smartwool makes merino wool socks for men and women with several different cuts. They’re made of 70% merino wool, 8% nylon, 21% recycled nylon, and 1% elastane. We love Smartwool merino wool socks because:
- They’re environmentally friendly: they use recycled nylon and responsibly sourced merino wool
- There’s extra cushioning: not just at the toes and heels, but throughout the whole sock to reduce stress and fatigue while outdoors
- Plenty of color options: including navy, taupe, gray, and so many more.
The sizes available are between a small (men’s 3-5.5/women’s 6-8.5) to large for women (10-12.5) and extra-large for men (12-14.5) and also count for calf circumference from 11 to 23 inches.
J.B. Field’s -30 Below Thermal Winter Socks
When it comes to thermal socks, you know your feet are going to be insulated and warm. Then, a brand that many people think of for warm socks is J.B. Fields. These merino wool socks are made in Canada with pre-shrunk merino wool. These socks come in a three-pack and in an assortment of colors. We love the J.B. Field’s -30 Below thermal socks because:
- They’re pre-shrunken, so you won’t have to worry about them shrinking when you wash them. You can easily reshape them while they’re wet.
- They have X-Hi Cushion with full terry cushion for added comfort, warmth, and protection
You may have to shop around a bit for your specific size, but generally, J.B. Field’s socks come in sizes small through extra-large. This corresponds to men’s shoe sizes 1-15 and women’s shoe sizes 2-13.
Best Neoprene Socks for Ice Fishing
Neoprene is another amazing material for socks when you’re ice fishing. Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that keeps you warm and insulates by trapping a bit of moisture. It’s great for ice fishing because it:
- Insulates your feet by trapping moisture and keeping your body warm
- Fits to your feet like a wetsuit and works even when you get wet
- Kinetic neoprene socks are designed to withstand colder conditions
Here are some of our favorite neoprene socks for ice fishing.
Skyone Neoprene Water Fins
The Skyone neoprene water fins are amazing socks for ice fishing. They are not only flexible in fabric, but they’re also flexible in the conditions you can be in while wearing them. They are suitable for ice fishing to snorkeling! Some other great features that these socks have are:
- Anti-slip from mid-calf, so you don’t have to worry about tugging your socks up
- Flexible and comfortable fit to allow your feet to have less restrictions and foot fatigue
- Extra protection to prevent your feet from being injured by rocks and sharp objects in case you fall in the ice
- Durable through a glued and blind stitch to prevent tears
It is noted that if you do use these neoprene socks, you should put a lubricant around your feet before putting them on if you are in the water.
The Skyone neoprene water fins are also amazing in the fact that they come in two different colors (black and camo) and in many sizes. The sizes available are small to XX-large for women, men, and kids for 3mm and 5mm thickness.
The company also says that if your feet don’t fit properly, they are open to sending a replacement that is the correct size or issuing a refund, which is perfect for online shopping.
Best Acrylic Socks for Ice Fishing
While acrylic socks aren’t the most recommended for ice fishing, some people prefer them because they:
- Are affordable: acrylic is an extremely cheap material to make socks out of
- Machine washable: they can just be thrown in the wash and dried in the dryer without worrying about the socks shrinking
Striker Unisex Durable Moisture-Wicking Socks
The Striker unisex durable moisture-wicking socks are a fantastic pair to use while ice fishing. Striker is a reputable brand when it comes to outdoor attire, especially when it’s cold.
Here are some of their features that make them great options for ice fishing because they:
- Are made from high-quality wool and polypropylene blend with nylon and spandex, so they are very warm
- Are moisture-wicking to keep away sweat
- Have a padded shin area for long-term comfort and to reduce fatigue
- Have a ribbed ankle in order to keep them from slipping
- Have been designed to be durable and long-lasting specifically for cold-weather activities, being designed primarily for ice fishers
The only downside to these socks is that they come in only one size. According to Striker, one size fits most. Current reviews across sources have said that these socks fit well on a men’s 13-14 and a women’s 7, so there is a bit of wiggle room.
Columbia Men’s Crew Sock
If you want warmth from a well-known brand for cold outdoors attire, Columbia is one of your best bets. Their men’s crew sock is made of 92% acrylic with polyester and spandex. It comes in many colors including black, gray, navy, and olive. They are extremely affordable as well as comfortable. We like these socks for ice fishing because they:
- Go up to the calf: no bunching up at your ankle
- Are made of a thick fabric: your feet will be warm
These come in two sizes that will fit a men’s shoe size 6-12.
While acrylic socks are good for ice fishing, there are some reasons why they’re not the most recommended and should be used as a last resort:
- They don’t breathe well, so they are likely to cause blisters
- They wear out quickly, so you’re likely to be replacing them more frequently
- They trap moisture, so you’re likely to feel uncomfortable and get stinky feet
Some ice augers swear by using acrylic socks, but the best choice is to use these for layering.
Best Heated Socks for Ice Fishing
Heated socks are all the rage now for keeping your feet warm in general. Some heated socks are charged by USB and others can even be controlled from your phone. Heated socks are great for ice fishing because:
- Keep your feet warm and at the perfect temperature for your comfort
- Last for several hours and potentially more
- Have different controls and temperature settings depending on the sock you get, some are controlled by a button, a remote, or even an app
Here are our favorite heated socks that you can use for ice fishing.
FNDN 3.7V Heated Waterproof Socks
These are the best heated socks for ice fishing because they are known to be waterproof, which is essential when ice fishing. We like them because they:
- Are USB rechargeable and the battery is super light
- Are made of acrylic so it will maintain the heat
- Last for 4.5 hours, which is perfect for an ice fishing session, unless you bring a charging bank, then you can wear them for longer
- Have a pre-heat mode so your socks will be warm before you put them on
While heated socks are an innovative solution to keeping your feet warm while you’re ice fishing, there are some potential drawbacks:
- They need to be recharged or the batteries replaced after a few hours
- Not all heated socks are waterproof so you will have to do some investigating before purchasing for ice fishing
Other Ice Fishing Equipment to Keep Your Feet Warm and Dry
While protecting and keeping your feet warm and dry starts at what socks you’re wearing, there are other things you will need to buy to help further protect your feet. Some other things to buy are:
- Ice fishing boots to give your feet the ultimate exterior protection
- Ice fishing pants or bib to keep your legs warm, whether you put your pants in or over your boots
- Feet warmers if you’re not using heated socks and your feet still get cold
- Cleats or traction slip overs to help you as you walk over the ice
- Compression socks to keep your blood flowing, especially if you have problems with circulation
Why Having the Right Socks Matters
When you’re ice fishing, it’s essential to have the right socks. Without the right socks, you can experience a range from mild discomfort to dangerous gangrene that needs surgery.
When you’re ice fishing, ideal air temperatures are between 20° F and 30° F. The water temperature should be between 32°F and 39° F, but these are general and ideal temperatures, which will change if you’re going out earlier or later in the day.
If you’re in these temperatures for extended periods, not only will your feet and the rest of your body feel uncomfortable, you’ll also be at risk for:
- Trench foot, which is caused by cold temperatures and moisture, which will restrict blood flow to your feet
- Frostbite, which can cause blistering and layers of the skin to deteriorate
- Hypothermia, which can affect your brain and muscle function
It should also be noted that if you have certain medical conditions, such as Raynaud’s disease or diabetes, you should take extra precautions for protecting your feet and circulation to prevent nerve damage and serious injury.
Can you Wear More than One Pair of Socks While Ice Fishing?
This question comes to mind, especially for people who have struggled to keep their feet warm even when they’re not ice fishing. Layering socks might seem like the perfect solution to people with cold feet.
You can wear more than one pair of socks while ice fishing. It is recommended to layer socks to make sure you have the most warmth and dryness while ice fishing.
It may seem like it will be uncomfortable or bulky in your boots, but if you make the right layers with your socks, you shouldn’t have to worry about feeling cramped in your boots or having to size up.
Caring for Your Ice Fishing Socks
After investing in a new pair (or several pairs) of ice fishing socks, you want to make sure that you take optimal care of them. This will ensure not only their longevity, but also that they continue to work properly and keep your feet warm.
Tips for Taking Care of Merino Wool Socks
Merino wool socks don’t come cheap, so if you do end up with getting a pair, here are some essential care tips for them:
- Wash in a machine on the delicate or wool cycle, merino wool is tougher than regular wool, but at least you don’t have to handwash them (you can if you want to, though!)
- Use a mild detergent and avoid using softeners, bleach, and any detergents with color enhancers
- Air dry the socks and stretch them as they’re drying to prevent the socks from being misshapen
Tips for Taking Care of Neoprene Socks
Neoprene socks are great for ice fishing, but they aren’t the easiest to maintain or the cheapest to replace. Follow these care tips so you get the longest life out of your neoprene socks:
- Use fresh water without any minerals in it to wash them to prevent mineral buildup
- Hand wash only, do not put them in a washing machine
- Avoid using harsh soaps and detergents opt for a mild detergent
- Air dry neoprene socks, do not put them in the dryer or direct sunlight
Tips for Taking Care of Acrylic Socks
Acrylic socks are probably the easiest to take care of and cheapest to replace if something happens to them, like they shrink, the elastic doesn’t tighten, or they get a hole in them. If you do choose to use acrylic socks for ice fishing, here are some tips for taking care of your acrylic socks:
- Wash in cold or warm water because hot water will make them stretch
- Add fabric softener so they aren’t staticky
- Wash them inside out
- Dry on low or cool setting
Tips for Taking Care of Heated Socks
Heated socks may seem like they will take more work to take care of compared to other socks listed here, but really, it’s close to the same as the other socks. Here are some care tips for heated socks:
- Remove the batteries before cleaning
- Wash on the delicate cycle
- Do not use bleach just a mild detergent
- Only air dry them, don’t use a dryer
- Don’t iron them
Conclusion
Keeping your feet warm and dry while ice fishing isn’t just beneficial for your comfort, it is essential for your health and safety as well. Following this guide will help you find the best socks for you and your comfort level while ice fishing.
