Steamboat’s skiers and riders have far more in common than the boots on their feet. Whether they’re resident Olympians or locals taking a ski break for lunch, peel away their boots and you’ll find their feet adorned with socks from SmartWool. But what is really so special about the Steamboat-based company celebrating its 15th anniversary this year? It's all in the wool.
Headquartered just a mile from town, close enough for its employees to don its woolen wares and hit the slopes for lunch, the merino wool sock and base-layer apparel company produces products straight from sustainable sheep farms in New Zealand. The company’s specially bred merino wool moves moisture away from the skin better than any other material on the market. Its unique properties also eliminate itch and odor, and all products are machine washable and dryable for easy care – all of which makes them perfect for skiing or riding.
While the company got its foot in the outdoor world with socks, it’s also branched into base-layers, whose merino properties are also perfect for the slopes. “It’s all about layering properly,” says SmartWool’s Molly Cuffe. “Our base layers make a super-efficient system for skiing and riding.” SmartWool offers four different weights in its Next-to-Skin base layer line: Microweight, Lightweight, Midweight and Sport. Known for its moisture-moving properties, the Microweight functions as a technical baselayer, midlayer or shell. The Lightweight is a performance layering piece for when times are cool, while remaining a comfortable piece on its own. The Midweight is a warm-yet-breathable stand-alone piece that can also work as a base layer for colder temperatures. The Sport carries a ribbed fabric for form-fitting comfort. All categories come in boxers, bottoms, tees, zip tees, crews and more.
On the sock front comes SmartWool’s PhD Snow Collection for Nordic touring, skiing or snowboarding. Each model is fine-tuned to perform for its own discipline, relying on the 4-Degree Fit System, Mesh Ventilation Zones and High Density Impact Zones for fit, comfort and performance. Available in Light and Medium versions (the ski category is also available in Ultra Light and Racer models), they employ SmartWool’s WOW Technology™ (wool-on-wool), giving them durability for the long haul. Our favorite? The PhD Snowboard, which comes in two “park art” choices.
Finally, look to a new slipper this year (the Mocaroon, $80) as the perfect apres-footwear. With a cushy 6mm felt outsole and 6mm, contoured felt footbed – both constructed of SmartWool material scraps – as well as an EVA arch support and a 2mm felt lining, use them to kick your feet up by the fire and shuffle across the floor for another hot toddy. With an upper made from 100 percent merino wool, they’re machine washable and come with a natural gum rubber pads and hemp sole for traction.
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or as a holiday gift for a loved one, SmartWool products are our top pick for keeping you warm on the mountain.
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