Equestrian Footwear
Best Women's Winter Riding Boots of 2025
Best Winter Equestrian Socks of 2025
Say hello to toasty toes in the saddle, around the barn, and beyond!
By Lindsay
Last Updated October 31, 2025
• 7 min read
You might be asking yourself how important riding boot socks really are. I mean, as long as the boot fits, right? But when it comes down to it, the socks you wear with your riding boots actually do alter the overall function of your footwear, making socks a very important part of an equestrian's winter wardrobe! To help you stay warm and cozy on your feet all season long, our equine experts have shared their top picks for the year! Let's dive into not only the category winners for the best winter socks of the year, but some tips and tricks for selecting the right socks to meet your needs no matter what you (or the weather) are doing this season.
How to Choose Winter Socks
Sock features like arch and heel support, breathability, and material content all affect your foot's comfort and warmth during the chilly months.
When choosing which socks to purchase, consider the fit of your boots. Are they snug or do they have some wiggle room? Vice versa, when it comes to purchasing new winter boots, what socks will you typically be wearing with them? As you can imagine, the thicker the sock the warmer it typically is. However, thinner socks made with strategic materials like merino wool can keep your feet quite toasty as well. If you plan on consistently wearing thick socks, consider going up half a size from your normal shoe size to allow enough space. If you are trying to keep your toes warm, you do not want your winter sock and boot combination to be so tight that it cuts off your circulation. Check out our favorite women's winter riding boots to find the perfect footwear to pair with your winter socks!
Best Value Winter Socks
Kelley & Co Adult Crew Socks At The Fence - 6 Pack
These Kelley & Co socks are perfect for the horse-crazed equestrian with their fun, horsey prints! The poly-blended fabric is durable and comfortable while offering a smooth feel in your boots. We love wearing these crew socks as-is, or for layering on the outside to add a pop of fun to any winter riding ensemble. Thanks to the variety of colors, you can easily coordinate these socks with many different outfits. Sold as a convenient six-pack, Kelley & Co's socks are also a great bang for your buck!
| Key Features: |
Fun Horse Print Poly-Blend for Comfort Crew Height Budget-Friendly Six-Pack |
Best Thin Winter Socks
LeMieux Competition Tall Boot Knee High Socks - 2 Pack
We love these LeMiuex socks for wintertime riding, whether it's a day of schooling to a year-end competition. The softly woven foot provides the comfort you need for long days spent in the saddle as a topside seam prevents those uncomfortable toe rubs. A micro-weight stretch upper gives these socks a light compression and along with their thinner design, they're perfect to pair with your warmer winter boots!
| Key Features: |
Soft Woven Foot Topside Seam Prevents Rubs Micro-Weight Stretch Upper For Light Compression Offered In Packs of Two
|
Best Midweight Winter Socks
Horze Alpaca Wool Mix Socks
For riders seeking extra added warmth during the winter months, these socks from Horze Equestrian are a true standout. We appreciate the extra thought put into the construction of these socks, as Horze has included two different materials to ensure rider comfort! A wool blend in the foot keeps toes cozy warm as the cotton blend up the calf provides some extra stretch so you can remain comfortable during your rides.
| Key Features: |
Wool Blend On Foot for Warmth Cotton Blend Up Calf for Stretch Offer Cozy Comfort For Winter Rides |
Best Thick Winter Socks
Smartwool Women's Everyday Knee High Socks
When it comes time to start thinking about ensuring we're warm and comfy through the winter, SmartWool's Everyday Socks are a great place to start! These cozy socks are crafted of a merino wool blend that keeps toes not only warm but fresh with that added touch of breathability. A light cushion along the whole foot and the secure fit ensure all-day comfort for a super soft sock with a sweater-like feel. Pair them with your favorite pair of winter or lifestyle boots for that added warmth required throughout the season!
| Key Features: |
Knee-High Design Merino Wool Blend Light Cushion Along Foot Sweater-Like Feel |
Best Cozy Casual Socks
Ovation Bamboo Crew Socks
We love the versatility offered by these socks from Ovation; the cotton and bamboo blend construction has a sleek feel while providing odor resistance. With fun horse prints and colors, we enjoy weraring these socks around the house, with our lifestyle boots, or during rides. Features like the padded arch and smooth-seam toe also provide the ultimate long-wearing comfort. Whether you are hanging around the house or heading out to the barn, these crew socks are the epitome of cozy casual style for equestrians!
| Key Features: |
Cotton/Bamboo Blend Odor-Resistant & Anti-Microbial Padded Arch Fun Horse Prints/Colors |
Softest Winter Socks
LeMieux Adult Sasha Star Fluffy Socks
Who can resist a good pair of plush softie socks? We love these super cozy socks from LeMieux, with cool-toned colors in a simple star pattern. We wear these to warm up our feet in the morning before winter rides, or during nighttime lounging. Some of us will admit that we sometimes even wear these cuddly socks with our winter riding boots - it's hard not to! These knee highs are also the perfect holiday gift for your equestrian or non-equestrian friends.
| Key Features: |
Super Soft, Cozy Warmth Versatile Perfect Holiday Gift! |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep my feet fresh and cozy while wearing winter socks? Can't they get sweaty?
It sounds counterintuitive, but yes, your feet still perspire even when they are cold. If the weather is frigid and dampness gets trapped in your socks with no escape, your feet will become especially chilly! It is therefore important to make sure your feet are completely dry before they go in your socks. Using a foot powder, such as Gold Bond Medicated Powder, absorbs moisture to reduce foot chill—plus it even helps with frictional skin irritations, like rubs from breaking in new winter riding boots!
What materials of winter socks are best for me?
The material content of socks is something to keep in mind so you can better understand the performance of your socks and filter what materials would be best for your winter riding situation.
Although very comfortable and durable, socks with a high cotton content can absorb and retain sweat. Too much moisture and heat can lead to blisters or promote fungus like athlete's foot. If you prefer to wear 100% cotton or cotton-blend socks, it is better to have an additional pair of thin socks made of more breathable materials against your feet; then, you can put your cotton socks over them. Merino wool is naturally quick-drying and temperature regulating, so your feet can stay comfortable in a variety of temperatures. Natural wool fibers also have great heat retention, even when wet. Bamboo is another reliable natural material with a silky feel that provides great antibacterial and moisture-wicking properties.
Synthetic materials include but are not limited to: nylon, acrylic, polyester, elastane, and spandex (also known as Lycra). Synthetic materials are commonly blended with natural materials to help retain the sock's shape over time. Some synthetic materials, like acrylic and polyester, are more quick-drying than others. Socks or sock liners made of polypropylene are typically used as a base layer in particularly cold winter climates, as the closed-cell structure of this synthetic fiber acts as a moisture barrier and retains a large amount of heat. However, socks made of polypropylene can sometimes be a bit hard to come by.
Do I need winter socks and insulated boots?
If your winter riding boots are insulated, you may not need as thick of socks as you think. Insulated boots are specifically designed to provide warmth in lower temperatures, even without help from thermal socks. It can be more difficult to adjust your foot warmth in this boot style, particularly if you are trying to extend the wear of your insulated boots into the warmer seasons. With non-insulated winter boots, you can more easily choose your desired level of warmth with sock layering or just by picking different socks.
Closing Thoughts
We hope you have enjoyed learning more about our favorite socks to wear during the wintertime. We love our equines and want to spend time with them during the colder months, but maintaining warm feet while doing so is critical! We invite you to take a look at all of our sock choices if our crew's top picks do not quite meet your needs. Please feel free to ask our customer service team any questions by reaching out at 1-800-620-9145 or via email at info@ridingwarehouse.com. In the meantime, happy winter riding!
