Review: Smartwool Zero Cushion OTC Socks

Price

£28

Brand // Manufacturers

Smartwool

Unisex

What we liked

Build Quality
Life Span

What we didn’t

Bit snug fitting around calves

The Verdict

THE SHORT READ…

Socks are hard to review really, as they only have one thing to do, which is pop over your feet go up your leg and not fall down, well the Smartwool Zero Cushion OTC Socks certainly does do that.

But what really picks them out, is just how thin they are, when they say Zero Cushion they mean it, other than the tiny bit of cushioning at the end of the toe box there is absolutely nothing, which leads to a lightweight sock that only weighs 64g.

THE LONG READ …

The Smartwool Zero Cushion OTC Socks are not for deep winter, not unless you have high volume liners that are tight fitting, as while they are 56% merino they’re are not going to offer up the warmth of a thicker sock.

I personally feel they’re a perfect spring sock, or just great for touring if you’re not susceptible to cold toes earlier in the season. The sizing is spot on, coming in 3 sizes from UK 5 to 13.5 and they come in three colours; grey, blue and black.

The Smartwool Zero Cushion OTC Socks are constructed of 56% Merino Wool, 11% Nylon, 32% Recycled Nylon, 1% Elastane.

After my first day of wear, I did find that they’d left an elasticated pattern around my calves, where they’d been clinging on to stay up.

I did my self styled wellies test, taking the dog for a walk in a pair of wellies over rough ground, up and down hills…, and the Smartwool Zero Cushion OTC Socks behaved themselves, they stayed up and I’d forgotten I even had them on which is a good sign, but it was a warm wet day so cold wasn’t an issue to think about.

I couldn’t help but think they were very similar to a pair of football socks I have, albeit with a much higher merino wool construction making them warmer than a standard sports sock.