Can someone that actual has Lenz socks compare the thickness of the 6.1, 6.0 and 5.1 to a traditional ski sock like the a Darn Tough or Smartwool model. Also from what I gather the Lenz socks run big so for me a size 9.5 (right in the middle of large) I would actually be better off with a medium. Is this correct?
Thanks for the insights!
If you prefer/need thin socks then it’s hard to go wrong with the Smartwool PhD ultra thin. I’ve worn them for years. Very thin, 0 padding, very good control/contact for foot-boot-ski interface.
If you want to go to a heated sock and are OK with wearing a medium weight/thickness sock or wear/prefer a padded sock, then the 5.0 would likely work for you or the 6 series. I have seen the newer Lenz 6 series socks and they look and feel thinner and have more compression so that might be an option.
Going to a heated sock - my Lenz 5.0 work well (they have the heated toecap). I only have around 25 days on them since I don’t wear them as often as my feet don’t get cold unless temps approach the minus 20 degrees C or lower then I’ll throw on the heated socks. (that might change with my new hybrid boots so we’ll see). My wife wears her Lenz 5.0’s every time out skiing and also when she’s working outside. She probably has 50+ full days on them. Zero issues for either of us. Wash gentle cold in the net bag that comes with them and hang/flat dry. For the most part they don’t need to be washed every usage.
I can’t comment on the wearability of the Lenz 6.0 versions but can provide a comparison of the 5.0 to the Smartwool ultra thins which I’ve worn for years as my “go-to” unheated sock. My shoe size is 8.5. I have a medium volume foot. I wear a medium in the Smartwools and a large (42-44 EUR) in the Lenz 5.0’s – those sizes work best for me. My wife’s Lenz 5.0 are a medium (39-41 EUR) and while I can get them on and they stretch/fit fine around the foot - they are a bit too tight at the very top of the upper calf. Her foot is very narrow and they fit her fine – I suspect that they would fit a medium foot in that sizing fine as well.
Here’s a photo of my Smartwool PhD Ultralights and Lenz 5.0:
The Smartwool ultralight is noticeably smaller. Once you are wearing the Lenz 5.0 the fabric thickness thins out a bit to some degree so it isn’t quite as thick as it might seem via the photo.
Obviously the padded areas and the heated elements still make the Lenz sock considerably thicker than the Smartwool ultralight. On the foot - I’d estimate the fabric on the Lenz in the unpadded areas to be 2x as thick, with the padded areas being 3-4 times thicker at least.
The Lenz 5.0 in terms of wearability thickness (how much I notice the thickness while on the foot) I feel it would be comparable to a medium weight ski sock.
YMMV but neither my wife nor I have ever noticed or had an issue with the heating elements being noticeable/bothersome. In terms of battery life I can get a full day out of the RCB 1200 packs on low/medium (depending on how cold it is). My wife has the RCB 1800 battery as she runs hers at a higher temp and it lasts her all day.
The socks, charges and batteries are a well-made products with good fit and finish - which is important given the high cost of these items. We waited to get the socks and extra battery packs on sale but I still feel that they represent good value for the dollar IF you are in the market for a heated sock. Some people may not need them – others won’t ski without a heated sock, especially if they are sensitive to cold or ski in really cold temps, etc.) My wife for example - won’t ski without them.