Best cycling socks 2023 | 9 pairs of stylish socks rated by our experts
Lightweight socks to minimise sweat and keep your feet fresh
Published:
The best summer cycling socks enable you to ride in properly hot weather without getting excessively sweaty feet – and, if you’re that way inclined, give you the opportunity to make a fashion statement with a splash of colour.
Thanks to modern wicking fabrics, a good pair of socks will keep you comfortable for hours on the bike and, if you get caught in a shower, they’ll dry out quickly too.
Socks are also the perfect gift for the cyclist in your life because every rider needs them, and fresh pairs are always appreciated.
With that in mind, we’ve tested nine pairs of stylish socks that won’t break the bank.
Best cycling socks in 2023
Assos GT Socks C2
Assos’ GT Socks C2 are designed for breathability in warmer weather and the latest version features new yarns for quicker drying and better ventilation. There’s also a slightly longer cuff for additional support.
On the road, these are faultless cycling socks. They’re so comfortable that our tester quickly forgot he was wearing them.
The material doesn’t seem thin enough to raise any questions of durability, nor does the sock affect shoe sizing. Breathability is excellent and we’d have no hesitation in using these socks for big, warm days in the saddle.
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Rapha Brevet Reflective
Designed for long endurance rides and multi-day tours, these medium-weight socks made from a blend of wool and PrimaLoft have great breathability. They’re comfortable, said to have anti-smell properties and are quick-drying (although they seemed equally quick to get wet through in rain).
There’s also a reflective stripe on the cuff for added visibility. These socks are among the most comfortable and represent an excellent choice for longer rides and trips away, though they are an investment.
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DeFeet Evo Mont Ventoux 6” socks
Designed to help you cope with hot weather, these socks have a ‘continuous 360-degree vent grid’ from the upper cuff to the toe box, according to DeFeet. We can certainly vouch that these socks perform admirably in warmer conditions.
They are amongst the most compressive in fit and are very thin, including a ‘no-feel toe seam’ that, while comfortable, raises questions about their durability. However, if you suffer from hot feet, these are definitely worth a try.
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MAAP Alt_Road Merino socks
MAAP’s Merino socks are targeted at all-day comfort and are anti-odour due to their natural fibres. The socks certainly deliver on both of those fronts.
However, the sizing is a little confusing. Our tester opted for the L/XL, meant for shoe sizes 9-11. The socks were disproportionately long in the foot, which meant having to compromise on the fit to allow the ankle of the sock to sit in its correct position.
Luckily, this sizing quirk doesn’t translate to real-world conditions. At £25, these lightweight socks aren’t cheap, but they are 80 per cent merino.
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Giro Comp Racer High Rise socks
These 6in socks are a modern take on a classic design, with Coolmax fabric helping to keep your feet dry and comfortable while wicking away moisture. Strategically placed perforations aid ventilation too. The fit is spot-on and they remained fresh after a day’s use.
So why not full marks? The sock material isn’t as luxuriously comfortable as some other cycling socks. They’re a solid choice for the price, though, especially for use on those long and hot summer days.
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M20 Merino Crew Compression Socks
M20’s left- and right-specific socks are about the most high-tech cycling socks we’ve tested, complete with an ‘ergonomic compression system’, an ‘anti-inflammatory band’ for your Achilles and a ‘scientifically designed foot bed’.
Their wool-mix construction makes them the thickest here, which won’t be to everyone’s liking, but Merino helps them stay fresh.
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SockGuy SGX Socks
You can unleash your inner Lion of Flanders with SockGuy’s SGX compression cycling socks, one of dozens of SGX designs.
The polypropylene, nylon and spandex material is virtually free of seams and the compression qualities of the socks are claimed to ‘increase blood flow’. There’s also ‘performance ribbing’, and these are quality warm-weather socks.
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Also tested
DeFeet Aireator 6″ socks
The ‘Barnstormer’ is just one of the Aireator’s numerous colourful designs, and these cycling socks also have a ‘green’ element to them because they’re made from nylon and 39 per cent Coolmax ‘EcoMade’ materials – or recycled plastic bottles.
Toughened toes and heels should ensure DeFeet’s usual durability, while the 6-inch ‘Stay-Fast’ cuffs live up to their name.
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Endura Pro SL II Socks
Endura says this sock is crafted from super-fine, wicking Meryl fabric, designed to be comfortable and breathable, yet resistant to wind and rain.
We liked the compressive fit and medium length but, although the Meryl fabric is reasonably comfortable, it’s overshadowed by other cycling socks.
Out on the road, the socks aren’t particularly breathable, feeling toasty at a moderate 17°C. The socks do keep water at bay when it gets drizzly, though, so are perhaps best used in cool, wet conditions.
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Authors
Oscar Huckle is a technical writer at BikeRadar. He has been an avid cyclist since his teenage years, initially catching the road cycling bug and riding for a local club. He’s since been indoctrinated into gravel riding and more recently has taken to the dark art of mountain biking. His favourite rides are epic road or gravel routes, and he has also caught the bikepacking bug hard after completing the King Alfred’s Way. Oscar has close to a decade of cycling industry experience, initially working in a variety of roles at Evans Cycles before joining Carbon Bike Repair. He is particularly fond of workshop tool exotica and is a proponent of Campagnolo groupsets. Oscar prefers lightweight road and gravel frames with simple tube shapes, rather than the latest trend for aerodynamics and full integration. He is obsessed with keeping up to date with all the latest tech, is fixated with the smallest details and is known for his unique opinions.
