What socks should you look for in your cycling shoes and what features should you be considering when looking to buy the best cycling socks?
When it comes to finding the right pair of cycling socks, there are certain features that must be present to ensure that your feet are comfortable and protected during your ride, including certain materials, fit, breathability, and price.
For a better selection of cycling socks that we've tried and tested, you can find an extensive selection of them listed below. Some of these cycling socks may not be the most attractive socks to wear, but no one will see your feet once you have your cycling shoes on anyway.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Castelli Free 9 Sock | Best Overall |  |
| DeFeet Aireator Team Double Cuff Socks | Budget Pick |  |
| veloToze Cycling Sock | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Castelli Free 9 Sock
Pros:
- Mesh construction to deal with warmer days
- Thin enough to provide minimal bulk between feet and shoes
- Creating a well ventilated and airy place for feet
Cons:
- Pretty expensive
- Socks fit far too tightly to some users
In their most basic sense, Castelli Free 9 cycling socks provide protection, grip, and durability—you do a lot of pedaling, and your feet take a lot of the strain. These are cycling-specific socks, with mesh construction cuffs to keep you cool in the summer. With its 9cm cuff, this is one for those lovers of the longer sock look.
In their most basic sense, cycling socks provide warmth, protection, grip, and durability—you do a lot of pedaling, and your feet take a lot of the strain. Not that cyclists are immune to freezing cold, blister-inducing rides, but socks are still what you’re least likely to replace between seasons, so I think they deserve a little more attention and research.
These Castelli socks work well to justify the price, they're extremely comfortable, hard-wearing and, several months down the line, they're still white.
2. Castelli Prologo 15 Cycling Sock
Pros:
- Made of 100% cotton, Meryl skin life
- 15cm height
- Fit for use for casual, cross-country, enduro, fitness, gravel, and cycling
- Comes in 5 colors
- Available in A to M and XXL size
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Hard to Find
- The sock is way too long
Castelli Prologo 15 Cycling Socks have a 200-needle construction for extra stretch Meryl Skinlife yarn as. It has a Piqué ankle knit Reinforced heel and toe Midfoot support band.
3. veloToze Cycling Sock
Pros:
- With active compression of 12 – 16 mmHg, they are good for use while cycling
- Keeps feet dry and cool
- Merino Wool Blend
- Designed to fit under veloToze Tall Shoe Covers
- Good for colder, wet weather
- Crew Height: 15 cm / 6 inch
- Machine wash cool on gentle cycle with like colors
Cons:
- Can't be machine dried
The veloToze Active Compression socks are best for the hot weather because they regulate temperature and sweat in the body. It is made of natural material that helps to regulate temperature. When the body temperature rises wool absorbs sweat and gives off a fresh and dry odor.
The compression level is designed to help manage blood flow to your feet while you cycling. The Merino Wool blend naturally wicks away sweat to keep feet dry in summer and warm in winter. They are designed to be worn alone or with veloToze Shoe Covers
4. DeFeet Aireator Team Double Cuff Socks
Pros:
- Trademark venting mesh weave foot
- 100% Polyester
- Airflow design for ventilation and endurance
- Durable stayfast cuff
- Sizes from Small to Extra Large
Cons:
- Not very good looking
- The cuff is quite thick
- The logo on the cuff frays after washing
The Aireator is the sock that started DeFeet, designed in 1992 as the first cycling sock with an open mesh weave instep for breathability and moisture wicking. The lightweight and durable Aireator is available in a single and a double cuff, with the double cuff providing additional compression in the ankle zone to prevent slipping. T
his sock has a close fit in performance cycling shoes, and the fiber blend includes Repreve®, a recycled performance polyester locally manufactured from recycled plastic bottles, reducing landfill waste.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the best cycling socks?
Cycling shoes are always an interesting conversation. When you think about buying the best cycling shoes possible, it can become an incredibly expensive process.
However, the same can be said for buying the best biking socks. It can also get extremely expensive.
If the only reason you want to buy cycling shoes is to look cool, get a pair of socks that match your shoes to give them a more tailored look.
Another key feature to look for is ankle support. When you are riding, your feet have a lot of pressure traveling to them. A lot of this is transferred to the ankles.
Good ankle support can save you many painful, not to mention embarrassing, moments.
When you get ready to buy your cycling socks, make sure you carefully analyze the pros and cons. Look for those that have good quality support and a lot of padding around the ankle.
Swiftwick Aspire Seven Socks are considered to be the most comfortable cycling socks on the market.
What socks do cyclists wear?
Cyclists have a significant choice of socks available to them, but ultimately the kind of riding you do, the sock design you choose, and your preferred cycling shoes will determine which is best for you.
Cyclists have long debated over the merits of traditional cycling socks and padded socks.
Traditional cycling socks (typically made from synthetics) are specifically designed for routine rides. They are designed to minimize rubbing and to wick away sweat from the lower leg to keep the feet cool and dry.
Padded cycling socks, on the other hand, are specifically designed for road cycling and longer rides.
They provide greater comfort by filling in sections of the cycling shoe, reducing vibrations and fatigue, and giving more foot support.
The simple fact is that cyclists have a wide range of needs. Comfort and support should be the most important factors when choosing the best cycling socks for you.
What is special about cycling socks?
There is really a significant difference between cycling socks and regular socks.
Cycling socks are a fine balance between padding, comfort, and moisture-wicking. They also have to be tight enough to not flap in the wind like a pirate’s sail.
If you’re not wearing biking socks, you might experience irritation in your feet, especially if you have sweaty, warm feet.
Biking socks are made to wick sweat away from your skin while keeping your feet cool. Usually, this is done with a mesh panel that runs along the top of the foot.
They also typically come with padding around the ball of your foot to protect your feet from contusions and wear-and-tear.
What should I look for in cycling socks?
Cycling socks have come a long way in the last few years.
The socks you see out there today are capable of keeping your feet dry, maintaining proper blood circulation, and contouring to the contours of your feet.
You should seek out socks that have a contoured footbed for your particular feet. Specialists recommend that you should spend more money on socks than the rest of your gear.
Even the most expensive socks on our list are very affordable when you consider the amount of comfort they offer you.
The socks should be made of materials that are known to block odor. They should also be made from special fabrics such as Lycra, or Coolmax. These socks are known to wick moisture quickly and not let it build up into a damp layer on your skin.
Conclusion
To help you compare the socks, we’ve included all the key features in this blog to help you find the best cycling socks. If you want to delve into the finer details, we’ve also included more information, pros, and cons of the top 4 socks on the market.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Castelli Free 9 Sock | Best Overall | |
| DeFeet Aireator Team Double Cuff Socks | Budget Pick | |
| veloToze Cycling Sock | Upgrade Pick | |