A seemingly small and insignificant bit of kit, the humble pair of socks can, in fact, make all the difference to your enjoyment of an activity. Cycling, walking and running are just three examples of pastimes that are made significantly more fun by choosing the right socks. However, many of us do not realise their value until we have taken a gamble on an unsuitable pair and found ourselves unable to focus on anything other than getting home as fast as possible to remove the offending garments and tend to the damage wrought on our poor feet.
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When it comes to cycling, your choice of socks is essential because your feet and legs are the hardest working parts of the body and kitting them out in the wrong gear will be at best a bit uncomfortable and at worst really painful. There are a number of factors you need to consider when selecting cycling socks, so we have come up with this handy buyer’s guide to help you make sock choices that are so wise you can spend time enjoying the scenery or chasing down new PBs without giving your socks a second thought.
Type ‘cycling socks’ into your favourite internet search engine and you will be overwhelmed by an array of different lengths, thicknesses, colours and patterns from which to choose. Before you start scrolling through and making judgements based on colour and style preference, think about the type of sock you want and use filters to remove some of the unsuitable choices from your results. For example, if you need lightweight summer socks, filter out the thermal winter socks and if you find short socks more comfortable than mid-calf length ones, then remove them from your list of options. This will prevent you from being distracted by snazzy designs of the wrong specification and will focus your search more effectively. If you are keen to maintain your sartorial elegance when out on your bike, you can filter your results so that you only see colour options that are a potential match with your favourite cycling jersey and shorts combo.
Ideally, your cycling socks should fit tightly and smoothly to avoid any material bunching up and making your cycling shoes feel uncomfortable, which could lead to painful pressure points. It is therefore important that you buy the correct size sock for your feet.
Despite what you may hear from sticklers in the cycling community, there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to the length of your sock cuffs. Whether you prefer short ‘no-show’ socks that sit below the ankle or longer mid-calf length socks is a matter of personal taste. Just remember that taller socks may offer valuable support to your Achilles area, which really short socks are not be able to provide. Having said that, if you do not feel that you need this added support, short socks could be cooler and therefore more comfortable in warmer weather. It is generally accepted in the cycling community that longer compression socks are more effective when worn after (rather than during) a long, gruelling ride to help your lower leg muscles recover, so you don’t need to worry about looking like Britney Spears circa in racy knee socks when you head out on your bike.
If you regularly cycle for 30 minutes or more, you may have noticed that your hard-working feet are developing aches and painful hot-spots. This is often to do with ill-fitting cycling shoes or poorly positioned cleats, but investing in socks designed specifically for cyclists may help you to cycle more comfortably too. Cycling socks are manufactured to provide targeted support where it’s needed, with many pairs featuring a tighter band around the mid-foot to support the arch and instep. Cycling socks also tend to be more cushioned or reinforced at the heel, sole and toe to help you avoid blisters and reduce impact.
Whether you are out on the trails in the worst wintry weather or tackling a regular commute where waiting for the weather to improve is not an option, it’s worth investing in a pair of waterproof cycling socks. Even the best cycling shoes will leak in really heavy or sustained rainfall, so avoid discomfort and painful blisters by wearing a pair of decent waterproof socks too. It’s worth noting that most waterproof socks are a three-layer construction, so will be thicker than ordinary socks. It is important to purchase ones that stretch well and fit snugly to your feet.
The best waterproof socks are made with a hydrophilic membrane, a microporus layer that prevents the ingress of water droplets but allows for the evaporation of moisture from inside.
Regulating the moisture build up around your feet is crucial for cycling. Neglecting to wick away sweat and rain can result in painful rubbing and blistering and excessive heat retention in effort sessions or warmer conditions and excessive heat loss in cold weather. Traditionally, achieving effective breathability came with a trade off in waterproofing, but these days hydrophilic membranes such as GORE-TEX allow us to create 100% waterproof garments (including socks) that are also fully breathable.
Your safety as a cyclist on the road is paramount, so while your socks should be offering you support in all the right places and helping you to regulate your temperature (either by keeping your feet toasty warm in winter or helping to cool them down in the summer) they could also be working to keep you visible to other road users, both during the day and at night. For this reason it is worth considering technical cycling socks that also feature high viz or reflective detailing.
Now that you know what you need to consider when searching for your next pair of cycling socks, we can share our pick of some of the best cycling socks on the market. This list is a great place to start shopping for your new favourite pair, whether you are looking for thermal winter cycling socks or lightweight ones to keep your feet cool in the height of summer.
Rapha Deep Winter Socks
Best for – Anyone who doesn’t want to let the coldest winter weather stop them from getting out on the bike.
Why we love them – They are a bit longer than the mid-calf length socks favoured by many cyclists and this offers you a bit of extra protection from the cold. These merino-blend Argyle socks feature wind-resistant sections at the shin and toe and a padded main footbed to insulate your feet against seriously cold conditions.
Price - £25
Premium Prints Range @ Grumpy Monkey Socks
Best for – Image conscious cycling enthusiasts with a passion for fashion
Why we love them – Marketed as ‘party on top and business below’ Grumpy Monkey’s range of snazzy cycling socks will not only give you the most stylish feet in your cycling club, they will also protect your heels and toes, support your arches and help keep your feet dry and comfortable.
Price - £14.99
Sealskinz All-Weather Mid-Length Socks
Best for – No-nonsense cyclists looking for an all-weather performance sock in a sensible range of colours.
Why we love them – Modest in colour but not in performance, these all-weather socks have a clever hydrophilic membrane, which is both 100% waterproof and extremely breathable. If you are looking for a premium quality cycling sock to keep your feet cool and dry, whatever the weather, these are the socks for you.
Price - £35
Sportful Mate Cycling Socks
Best for – Cyclists who want a co-ordinating performance sock and also suffer with smelly feet
Why we love them – They are reasonably priced, offer a bit of arch support and have been treated with Cupron to help combat foot odour.
Price - £15
DeFeet Aireator Socks
Best for – Their thin, breathable construction makes Aireators perfect for warm weather rides where staying cool is your main priority.
Why we love them – Proudly manufactured in the US since the early 90s, DeFeet are the self-proclaimed gold standard for cycling socks. Aireators are the original DeFeet sock and they come in a range of designs, colours and cuff specifications to suit every taste and requirement. They are also made with recycled polyester, so they are kinder to the planet too.
Price – from £5.60
Please note: The DeFeet website is currently not shipping directly to consumers in the UK due to Brexit, but you can find a pair of Aireators on websites such as Wiggle and i-ride
Le Col Tech Wool Cycling Socks
Best for – Thrifty cycling enthusiast looking for premium lightweight socks to keep their feet warm on all those wintry cycle rides.
Why we love them – You get a lot of tech for your money with these Le Col socks. Made from a durable, high-density blend of merino wool, acrylic and nylon, they have a high warmth-to-weight ratio and feature a comfortable terry sole.
Price - £15
Endura Coolmax Race Socks
Best for – Money-conscious cyclists who love racing and want technical kit that won’t break the bank. Always casting about for a bargain, these speed demons would rather spend their hard-earned cash on race entries than unnecessarily pricey kit.
Why we love them – Made with Coolmax yarn to enhance their breathability, these technical racing socks come as a pack of three pairs.
Price - £15.99 for a triple pack
Proviz Classic Stripe Cycling Socks
Best for – Safety conscious cyclists looking for a pair of technical cycling socks for spring/summer rides.
Why we love them – A colourful finishing touch to your cycling get-up these striped mid-length cycle socks are available in high viz yellow or pink, to help you stay visible to other road users. They are made from super thin and highly breathable blend of nylon and lycra and the sock seams are on the outside to keep your feet as comfortable as possible.
Price – £17.99
NB - Cyclists looking for warmer socks with reflective detailing for rides in more wintry conditions, where visibility is poor, should opt for the Classic Merino Cycling Socks instead.
Stolen Goat Coolmax Socks
Best for – New cyclists looking for pretty socks that perform technically but don’t cost too much.
Why we love them - If you are looking for a reliable all-round pair of socks that blend style, affordability and technical features, you can’t really go wrong with a colourful pair of Coolmax socks from Stolen Goat. Ideal for spring and summer bike rides, they are lightweight, durable and breathable.
Price - £9.99
Pongo London Cosi Cycling Socks
Best for – Both road and off-road cyclists looking for a “transition sock” for spring and autumn rides in changeable conditions.
Why we love them – These versatile, ultra-comfy socks feature a padded & quilted front section to keep your toes warm and technical mesh for breathability. This makes them the perfect sock for seasonal transition and those rides where we seem to experience four seasons in a single day.
Pongo is a small, London-based business that takes pride in crafting its products in small batches to exacting artisanal standards.
Price - £20
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As a cyclist, your feet work hard to keep you moving, so they’re worth protecting. Cycling socks are designed to be worn with cycling shoes to prevent blisters and numb feet. If you’re unsure if cycling socks are worth it, a 20-mile ride in cycling shoes in a generic pair of socks or reading our guide on whether or not you really need bike socks might change your mind.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Cycling Socks custom.
Avid cyclists know that finding the best cycling socks is crucial. We invest in quality cycling kits from head to toe because even a small item like socks can hinder performance and comfort. But knowing that a great pair of cycling socks is important doesn’t make finding one easy. With countless options to choose from, it can be challenging to filter out the good socks from the bad and the best from the good. It can feel so much easier to grab any old socks from the closet and go. But we’d hate for those socks to keep you from enjoying your ride, so we’ve curated a list of the 10 best cycling socks for all seasons and styles.
No two kinds of cycling socks are equal, but there are a few fundamentals all cyclists should consider when looking for a great pair of cycling socks, regardless of personal preferences or level of cycling experience.
Before you can begin to narrow down the selection of cycling socks, decide if you need cycling socks for hot or cold (or something in between) weather. If you live in an area that experiences the full spectrum of seasons throughout the year, from hot summers to freezing winters, you may need socks for all temperatures. Also, consider how long and intense the seasons are in your region. For example, if you live somewhere, that reaches below-freezing a few times throughout the winter but has mild weather most of the time, you may only need a pair or two of cold-weather socks, but the majority will be for warm-weather.
Cycling socks are also designed to perform well in different temperatures and weather conditions. If you live in a rainy climate, you need to make sure that most of your cycling socks are waterproof. If you’re expecting strong winds in winter, you’ll want tall socks with wind resistance.
Cycling sock manufacturers use materials strategically. Often, cycling socks are made from a blend of different materials that serve a unique purpose. Lycra adds stretch, nylon gives strength and blocks water and wind, and merino wool wicks moisture and adds warmth.
Some fabrics are summer or winter specific. Merino wool, for instance, is excellent in winter because of its insulating and moisture-wicking properties, but it doesn’t hold up as well as synthetic fibers when it gets wet. So, in months when you sweat more, merino wool isn’t the optimal choice. Synthetic materials can be soft and cozy, but don’t insulate quite as well as wool in winter. Fabric weights extend from ultra-light to heavyweight depending on the season or temperature they’re made to withstand.
Fabric placement and fabric percentage make different styles of cycling socks unique. Designers place different materials in strategic locations for warmth or ventilation right where you need it. Many cycling socks are designed with blends of materials in different percentages. These combinations make different styles of socks unique and effective.
Sock height is only a matter of concern to professional cyclists, and even then, only when they’re competing because of regulations. Outside of race day, your sock height is completely up to your preferences.
Sock height refers to the length of your sock cuff in inches. 5–7” cuffs are popular, but lengths will look different on different people depending on stature and calf shape. Sizing is the only significant difference between men’s and women’s cycling socks. Both genders wear cycling socks for the same reasons, but women might find men’s cycling socks too baggy, and they might bunch and cause sores.
Wet cycling socks create many problems, from discomfort to blisters to freezing toes. Socks for all seasons should repel water and regulate the body’s temperature. Pedaling is an intense and repetitive motion, so if your socks are the wrong fit and don’t keep your feet dry, your feet will be blistered by the end of the ride. The best cycling socks have perfected their blends of materials to keep moisture under control.
Hot or cold weather, rain or shine, your feet need to breathe so moisture can move away from them. Summer cycling socks have the most ventilation because they’re light and made to let cool air in. Breathability is more challenging to achieve in winter socks, but it’s still important. Winter socks that insulate and ventilate well are hard to come by, but the best winter cycling socks will do both well.
Unlike other sports socks, “extra cushion” does not excite cyclists. Cushioning can create hot spots that cause blisters. Also, cycling socks are created with cycling shoes in mind—they should be thin and hug the foot. Cushioned socks don’t work well with cycling shoes.
Compression socks aid circulation and deliver oxygen to tired muscles and reduce the build-up of lactic acid. However, compression socks are most effective during recovery and only work marginally well during performance. But some find socks with compression more comfortable than those without, and comfort does affect performance.
Cycling socks are a great way to show personality and have fun. It’s tempting to put fun first when choosing cycling socks, but style should never trump quality, comfort, or performance. Thankfully, many cycling socks meet all the performance criteria and are also unique, colorful, and cool. The general rule of thumb is that your cycling socks can be any color or pattern as long as they match your cycling kit. But, of course, this doesn’t mean that your socks can’t stand out. Socks are one of the best ways to add pizzazz to your kit.
Winter cycling socks are constructed for either cold or freezing temperatures. They keep your feet well-insulated and protected from wind and water. Merino wool is a popular winter material in a cycling kit because it’s soft and warm and wicks moisture at the same time. Merino wool might be combined with synthetic fibers to add stretch, ventilation, and durability. If winter wool socks are itchy, then they’re probably not of the best quality and would be uncomfortable and annoying on a long ride. Socks for cool to cold weather don’t necessarily need to be thick, especially if worn with cycling shoe covers. Warmth doesn’t come from how thick your socks are—the fabric choices and their weave provide insulation. Cycling socks for riding in below-freezing and snowy or icy conditions will be heavier and taller than other types.
Summer cycling socks are made from more synthetic materials than winter socks. They need to provide even greater ventilation and moisture-wicking than cold-weather socks because feet sweat more in hot weather. When it’s hot outside, your socks should be thin or ultra-thin to keep you cool. Summer is the best time to don fun socks as you put away the cycling tights and pull-out shorts and bib shorts that show off your calves and ankles.
You can find cycling socks that work well in all seasons because they’re thin but insulated due to their tightly knitted fibers. Usually, these all-season socks are made of a blend of merino wool and synthetic materials, so they’re great at moisture-wicking to cool you down and insulating to warm you up. However, year-round cycling cocks are best for mildly cool and warm weather and not for extreme cold or heat. The Hincapie Power Midweight is our most versatile sock that helps you ward off the early morning chill and cool you down as temperatures start to rise.
Colors: charcoal
Weather: cold
Cost: $17
As the name implies, these Hincapie cycling socks power you through the cold to help you perform your best. You won’t have to worry about cold feet keeping you from reaching your goals because they’ll be well-insulated in soft, itch-free merino wool. The knitted mesh on the top of the feet keeps them warm and well-ventilated. And the charcoal grey color looks great with nearly any cycling kit.
Colors: multiple colors and patterns
Weather: cool–warm
Cost: $14.99
The DeFeet Aireator socks don’t make you choose between performance and personality—they make high-quality cycling socks fun and quirky. The socks are light and durable and come in many different colors and patterns. We chose the Aireator 6” Schmiley because these socks give us several reasons to smile. The Aireator is a “4-season” sock, meaning it can be worn in warm or cool weather. These socks have a breathable mesh-weave instep, which isn’t unique to the Aireator, but DeFeet claims to be the first company to have constructed socks with this feature. DeFeet socks also combine performance with sustainability. The recycled polyester, making up 39% of the Aireator, comes from recycled water bottles. A pair of DeFeet Aireator comes with a 5-year warranty. 5 years is a long time for a pair of socks, but it’s indicative of their quality—these socks hold up so well.
Colors: black/white-stripe, black/pink-Stripe, black/blue-stripe, green, black, white
Weather: warm
Cost: $19.99
The Swiftwick Aspire Seven provides firm but breathable support for tired feet and legs. Swiftwick describes these compression socks as having a “barely there feeling.” These socks hug your feet with a combination of carefully selected synthetic materials that give them amazing moisture-wicking abilities. The Aspire 7 is made of fibers that dry fast and stay that way. Channeling in the upper part of the sock and mesh over the footbed make these ultra-thin and supportive socks breathable.
Colors: blue, black, green, neon yellow, red
Weather: warm
Cost: $10
The classic Hincapie Logo socks are the perfect ultra-thin sock for hot and humid summers like we have in the southeast. They’re super light and breathable, so you don’t have to get distracted by ill-fitting socks. These socks come in all the primary colors and at an incredible value for quality performance socks.
Colors: dark navy, grey marle, dark green, white, black, hi-vis pink
Weather: warm
Cost: $25
The Rapha Pro Team socks are a performance essential designed for elite cyclists. Don’t let the soft and simple look of these socks fool you. They are strong and made to handle the sweat of tempo riding. These Rapha socks are made of 50% Meryl Skinlife which prevents the growth of bacteria. They fit snugly but with just enough stretch to respond to your fast pace.
Colors: black/white, white/black, yellow/navy, navy/white, saffron/navy, plum/pomegranate, racing green/sage
Weather: cool–warm
Cost: $22
The Le Col Cycling Socks are sleek and stylish and designed by professional cyclist Yanto Barker. They have a unique honeycomb structure made entirely of moisture-wicking performance polyamide that incorporates compression, comfort, and breathability into one sock. The Le Col socks have a highly reviewed comfort and fit and come in vivid and interesting colors like saffron and pomegranate.
Colors: black/hi-vis pink
Weather: cold
Cost: $37
The Rapha Deep Winter socks are designed for those who don’t let the freezing cold stop them from cycling. With these half merino and half synthetic-fiber socks, warmth is the priority and height is entirely practical. They are tall with a wind-resistant panel that covers the entire shin. While everything around you is frozen, your feet will stay toasty in Rapha’s Deep winter socks.
Colors: grey/black/yellow, navy/red, green/red/white
Weather: cold
Cost: $58
The Sealskinz Waterproof Cold Weather Socks with Hydrostop are the ideal choice for mountain biking in cold, wet, and muddy conditions, when you need something 100% waterproof. These socks come with a high price tag, but they’re one of the best socks available for extreme weather. Sealskinz creates a 100% waterproof sock with three layers—the outer is stretchy and durable, the middle is the hydrophilic membrane, and the inner is a blend of soft synthetic and merino fibers. The cuff is wrapped in an elastic tape called the Hydrostop barrier that repels water drops. “Hydrophilic” means “love for water” and describes the middle membrane because it attracts and draws water out so well. Sealskin includes a disclaimer not to wear these socks for a long time because the Hyrdrostop barrier will begin to rub, but these socks are made for temperatures that you wouldn’t want to withstand for a long time. The cold-weather socks are bulky, but they’re the best at what they’re designed to do.
Colors: black, white
Weather: cool–warm
Cost: $44.99
The Castelli Fast Feet socks are made for aerodynamic riding, particularly when the climate is too warm to wear aero shoe covers. These socks have two main parts—the leg and the foot. The leg is made of grooved Lycra to reduce drag, and the foot is designed for comfort. According to Castelli, this one-of-a-kind sock is created specifically to achieve “maximum aerodynamics in time trialing.”
Cycling socks and shoes are a duo—the socks are constructed to support your foot in a cycling shoe. Learn the fundamentals of cycling shoes in our Cycling Shoe Size, Fit, and Style Guide.
Like cycling socks, baselayers are a foundational part of your cycling kit designed to keep you warm and dry. Learn how to find a great cycling base layer, or choose a base layer from the Hincapie collection.
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