Best ice climbing socks. I’ve tried many ice climbing tools.
Best ice climbing socks Blister Prevention & Care For Hiking; Hiking Boots vs. Hiking Shoes vs. We’ve field tested everything on the list below—from cushy socks and comfortable hardshells to innovative belay devices and ropes—and can confidently say these will earn the appreciation of the climber Highly thermal, thick and high, reinforced on toe, shin and heel, extremely comfortable, ideal for high mountain activities especially in winter where maximum protection from the cold is needed. Oct 22, 2023 · By Jonathan Baldassare, MTI Contributor With the rock climbing season winding down in the coming month, I find myself thinking about the joy of swinging tools and bashing ice more and more often. Avoid thick socks that make your boots fit too tightly. Some people use liner socks, but I have always found my feet get colder if I choose to wear one. Socks. Frozen fingers and toes can be extremely uncomfortable and can ruin your ice climbing experience. Feb 10, 2022 · What Should I Pack for Ice Climbing? Here is my recommendation on what gear to pack for ice climbing. When preparing for ice climbing, it is crucial to be well-equipped for the cold, especially when considering your extremities. If you’re new to ice climbing, you’re in the right spot. Here are some of my favorites: Black Diamond Hydra Ice Tool – Priced at $310, it’s great for both moderate and vertical ice climbing. See full list on darntough. Best 4-Season Tents; Best Winter Boots For Men; Best Winter Boots For Jan 4, 2025 · There are many ice climbing tools out there. Safety is key in ice climbing. Ice climbing boots are specifically designed to withstand the extreme conditions encountered on ice-covered terrain. In Colorado, I typically prefer thinner wool socks. ” Best Budget: REI Co-Op Expedition “Midweight merino crews with all the dialed-in design attributes you’d expect from REI. A well-fitted boot allows for better control on ice and enhances the climber’s overall efficiency and safety. May 23, 2023 · “Toasty knee-high socks at a great price. Types of Ice Tools. Black Diamond Hydra Ice Tool ($310) Scarpa Phantom Tech HD ($899) Trango Kestrel Ice Tool ($500) Patagonia M10 Hardshell Pants ($279) Petzl Sitta Harness ($175) Blue Ice Harfang Tech Crampons ($230) How to Choose Ice Climbing Gear; How We Test; Meet Our Testers Oct 22, 2022 · Frankly if I sized a boot large enough to fit a pair of T3+ Exped, they would be to sloppy to climb in and an average day. At A Glance. Nov 15, 2024 · The editors at Climbing have been testing non-stop in 2024, and we’ve highlighted the best new gear that your hard-earned money can buy. 1. Gloves: Most ice climbers pack a pair of lightweight hiking gloves, a pair of medium-weight climbing gloves, and a pair of heavily insulated belay gloves. . Mar 7, 2025 · Best Hiking Socks; Best Snowshoes; Best Ice Cleats; Best Hiking Shoes For Kids; ADVICE & TIPS. Trail Running Shoes; 5 Reasons To Ditch Your Hiking Boots; ALL FOOTWEAR; Winter Gear. If you are just starting out and already own mountaineering crampons, you may be able to use your existing crampons for ice climbing, but as you progress, you may want something more suited to climbing on steep ice. In fact, as far as I’m aware, there are only three people making socks specifically for climbing right now; La Sportiva, Butora, and YY Vertical. Thin wool socks without compression are usually your best bet. Similarly to ice tools, the crampons best suited to ice climbing are different from those used for mountaineering. ” Oct 5, 2023 · The Reviews: The Best Ice Climbing Gear of 2024 Arc’teryx Alpha Hybrid Pant ($350) (Photo: Courtesy Arc’teryx) (the exceptions to this rule are gloves and socks). Which may be an option but it was cheaper to buy a pair of Lenz socks than new boots. Unless I always wore the super warm socks. With 21 years of climbing and 11 years guiding, I know the right gear makes climbing fun. Made entirely of 60% merinos wool no May 1, 2025 · Choosing the right boots for ice climbing involves understanding the features and materials that provide the support, warmth, and durability required for harsh conditions. I’ve tried many ice climbing tools. Dec 2, 2015 · Made just for high-altitude, low-temperature excursions, the Mountaineering Extra Heavy Crew sock by Smartwool is the top choice for mountaineering, ice climbing, or peak bagging in the snow. Knowing about types of ice axes and picking the best ice screws is key. For May 3, 2025 · Proper fit is essential in ice climbing boots for performance because it directly influences comfort, stability, and energy transfer during climbing. May 8, 2025 · The pros and cons of wearing socks while ice climbing. The Lenz are a high end midweight sock to start with and then add adjustable heat. ” Make sure everything Apr 19, 2023 · There are two schools of thought for how best to ski in: (1) wear a lightweight pair of backcountry ski boots clipped to traditional pin bindings and carry your ice climbing boots on your pack or (2) locate a pair of the increasingly hard to find Silvretta 500 ski bindings, which clips in perfectly to the heel and toe bails of a climbing boot. Designed for alpine summits and expeditions over 4000 metres. My absolute favorite socks are Smartwool. Having the right gear is essential. ” Best for Camping: Tibetan Long Wool Slipper Socks “The perfect option for cold mornings or bad-weather days in the tent, RV, or cabin. Wool socks are my go to for ice climbing. Your choice of climbing-specific socks is pretty limited. That said, a “climbing sock”, or at least one suitable for bouldering and sport climbing, is really just a thin Dec 28, 2024 · Welcome to my adventure in finding the best ice climbing gear. EQUIPMENT & FOOTWEAR. Wearing socks while ice climbing has its advantages and disadvantages. Just as rock climbing can be somewhat akin to ballet in the vertical realm, i have always thought of ice climbing as […] Dec 7, 2023 · The Best Climbing Socks. Understanding Ice Climbing Boots. There are lots of great options. It turns a tough climb into an exciting adventure! Jan 8, 2023 · Crampons. com Jan 28, 2025 · Those are the pieces below: the best new ice climbing gear for 2025. oiyirttfqgisddrardregnkbmicqhmbgajciiqndonukrfjnvbl