[series align=”left”]Snowboarding is an expensive business – by the time you’ve paid for all the gear, you might be tempted to cut corners on seemingly ‘non-essential’ items. Be warned, though –skimping on socks will usually leave you with feet that are clammy, sweaty or cold.

There are a few features that a good pair of socks should always have, such as elastic cuffs that keep them up all day. As for the materials used (and the blend), these can vary a lot. One fabric to look out for is merino wool; not only is it soft, warm, breathable and lightweight, it’s also naturally antimicrobial and so keeps boot-stink to a minimum. A material to avoid is cotton, which is worse than useless when it gets damp.

Here are a few of the best options available for happy feet – and as the ancient Chinese proverb goes, happy feet makes happy snowboarder.

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