As winter quickly approaches and temperatures drop, feet are going to start getting cold. The first step of protecting your toes from the chilly, wet conditions is by kitting yourself out with the best pair of winter cycling socks you can. I've spent years riding through the winter, and have really come to understand what it takes to keep those little pigs toasty and warm, even when it's properly miserable outside.
The trick is not to be bound by socks from cycling brands. My top pick, Hollow Crew socks, are just from a general-use sock brand, but they are made from alpaca wool. Likewise, my pick for the best gravel sock is from a hiking brand, and if you want to go really extreme, there's a neoprene option from a sailing company.
The best winter cycling socks
➕ Incredible warmth to weight
➕ Amazingly soft
➖ Too tall to wear without tights
The ultimate all-around winter sock for cycling, and it's not even a cycling sock. Alpaca wool fibres are hollow, so they trap more air than merino ones, meaning the socks are warmer for the same thickness. They're also noticeably softer, so if you normally hate that woolly itch, then give these a try. The soles are thicker and more fluffy than the tall cuff, to better insulate against cold carbon soles. Colour options are limited, but under tights, it doesn't matter at all. The best thing is they work just as well off the bike too, making them better value.
➕ Decent price for merino wool
➕ Plenty of colour options
➖ Only two sizes
Endura BaaBaa socks come in a wide variety of colours, and while the merino content isn't huge at 37%, it's decent for the price. The synthetic fibres mean it stays gripped to your foot like a cycling sock should, with higher pile areas on the toes and along the sole, with a lower profile cuff much like the Hollow. They are also soft, for a wool sock; not as soft as the Hollow, but definitely not itchy. The BaaBaa is a much more 'normal' height for a cycling sock, so they pair well with knee warmers or sit below the cuff of most overshoes.
➕ Absurdly durable
➕ Relatively stink resistant
➖ Hiking aesthetics
Almost ten years ago, I worked a winter on a drill rig in Norway. Before I started, I invested in some Smartwool socks, and since then have used them year in, year out. If you want something relatively warm, but able to stand up to the added abrasion and wear that comes with the mud, submersion, and hike-a-bike of winter gravel riding, then these are my pick. They aren't the out-and-out warmest option - and they look like hiking socks - but much like the Hollow option, they're just fabulous as general-purpose outdoors socks.
➕ Waterproof, but not too bulky
➕ Hydrostop stops them filling with water
➖ Sweaty if it isn't wet
Waterproof socks have been one of my revelations of recent years. The main problem with many of them is that they're so bulky they don't fit in your bike shoes, and they fill with water, which then can't escape. These Sealskinz are thin enough not to mess with the fit of your shoes too badly. A merino lining gives a much-needed cosy boost and there's a nylon outer for durability. They do wonders at keeping water out, but with enough time, you will get them sweaty, warm and wet is better than cold and wet.
➕ Impressively thin
➕ Cheap for a waterproof sock
➖ Can fill with water
Waterproof socks are a pretty expensive investment, but these ones from DexShell are at least on the more budget-friendly side. They're low profile, so you can easily use them with your normal cycling shoes without cutting off all circulation to your feet. They do as good a job at keeping spray out as any waterproof sock I've tried, although they do tend to fill with water more easily than the Sealskinz option, as they don't have a special cuff to seal water out. For short rainy blasts, or to add an insulating vapour barrier beneath overshoes in dry and cold conditions, they're an excellent option.
➕ Wet, but warm
➕ Can be layered
➖ You might get some funny looks
I'm blessed with pretty good circulation, so even in cold weather, I rarely use gloves. When I do need gloves, I tend to reach for neoprene ones. If it works for hands, then why shouldn't it work for feet too? Neoprene is basically a stabilised, porous sponge that traps air. Your feet will get wet, but much like a wetsuit, they will stay warm. These are from a sailing brand, so designed to keep toes warm in ocean spray and high winds, so more than a match for the weekly club run in the rain. They do look a bit odd, but they're thin enough to double up with a regular winter sock.
How to choose the best winter cycling socks for you
While this list encompasses my favourite options, there are myriad others out there, and forewarned is forearmed. With that in mind, I’m going to attempt to answer some common winter sock FAQs so that, if none of these options take your fancy, you can still make informed purchasing decisions and ultimately have a better riding experience.
What are the warmest winter cycling socks?
For general use, I find the Hollow socks to be the warmest, particularly for their thickness. The hollow fibres trap more air, and the sole is lovely and lofted to keep the foot away from cold carbon shoes. In the dry, unless you're suffering from particularly chilly feet, they'd cover you for more or less all winter conditions. If they get too cold, it's probably time to start adding winter overshoes or investing in a dedicated set of winter shoes.
When things get wet, it gets trickier. Wool gets soggy, but does still retains its insulating qualities, but I find the wind chill factor increases vastly regardless. Waterproof socks like the Sealskinz Briston work wonders by adding a solid membrane barrier; your feet will still get wet with your own sweat, but they'll be far better insulated from the wind chill and feel warmer. Even when it's not raining, they're a great idea to try if you are forever suffering from numb toes.
If you can't stand the idea of sweaty feet in what is essentially a plastic bag, then hang up your preconceptions and chuck on some neoprene socks and see if they help. You'll get wet, but like a wetsuit, you'll be warmer.
How long should winter cycling socks be?
If it's cold enough for winter socks, you'll probably be wearing winter bib tights, so while mid-calf may be fashionable for summer socks, it's less of an issue if your socks stretch up to your knees. The UCI sock police won't catch you either.
A longer sock will insulate your legs more, so more warm blood should find its way to your feet. You can still just about find knee-high Rapha deep winter socks, but they're overkill in my view.
One thing to bear in mind is where they sit in relation to the cuff of your overshoes. If they're higher, they can aid in wicking water down into your shoes, but this is only really relevant if you're wearing overshoes with shorts.
How do you keep your feet warm cycling?
Luckily for you, we have a whole guide on how to keep your feet warm while cycling. The trick is keeping your feet warm and dry, as well as uncompressed. This means a decent set of winter cycling socks, paired with some winter cycling shoes or overshoes, and not doubling up on socks.
Winter shoes or overshoes have the additional benefit of adding a windproof outer layer, so even if your feet do get wet, the water will be close to body heat rather than freezing. Once they get wet, they probably won't dry out again.
Dryness is key, and while overshoes or winter cycling shoes do an admirable job, as do waterproof cycling socks, nothing beats a full set of mudguards.
If you can't keep your feet dry, then keeping your toes insulated with neoprene or out of the wind with a waterproof membrane will do wonders for your comfort.
Don't forget that all the blood going to your feet comes from your core, and if that is cold, then your extremities will suffer. A decent winter cycling jacket and a winter base layer can be as effective at keeping your feet warm as any pair of socks.
What is the best material for cycling socks?
Wool does a marvellous job of insulating, far better for the same weight than synthetic options. It’s also sturdy and breathable. Merino wool even more so, and it has the added benefit of being slightly antibacterial, cutting down on the stink a little bit; you'll still have to wash them, though! Alpaca wool is better still in my experience, though far harder to come by.
Wool also stays reasonably warm even when it gets wet, which is a valuable property when you can expect your feet to get wet from road spray, even if you don't end up wading through puddles or mud.
If you want a more insulating sock, then look for a higher wool content, but there needs to be some elastane and other fibres to provide stretch and the next-to-skin fit that we all want in a sock. Also, a thicker wool sock with a lower wool content may well be warmer than a thinner one with higher wool content.
Does wearing two pairs of socks keep your feet warmer?
No. If you wear two pairs of socks, you’re going to compress your feet. This leads to a reduction in circulation, meaning nice warm blood is cut off from reaching your feet, and ultimately, you’ll probably end up with colder feet than if you just wore one pair of socks.
If you want to add more insulation than a set of winter socks can provide, then opt for a set of cycling overshoes that slip over your cycling shoes. These are usually constructed from neoprene and also help keep water away from your skin.
Do I need waterproof cycling socks?
Waterproof socks do a remarkable job of keeping your feet dry. They have two layers of fabric, with a waterproof membrane sandwiched between them. They do feel quite stiff and thick, and they’re not going to be as breathable as a normal sock, but particularly for gravel riding through puddles where you can’t really wear overshoes for fear of shredding the bases, they’re an excellent option.
For really cold days, they can also act as a warmer option if you don’t mind getting a bit sweaty. The membrane, though nominally breathable, is akin to wrapping your feet in a plastic bag. This seals the heat in and creates a little microclimate. Neoprene is also a slightly rogue option here from the world of sailing. It's more breathable, but porous, meaning you'll get wet but should stay warmer than with any wool sock.
If you want the ultimate in dry feet, then remember to add mudguards. They may not be fashionable, but they are hugely effective.
Do socks go under or over leg warmers?
The biggest debate in cycling, and we’re not going to alienate half our readership by coming down on one side or the other. The fence is actually very comfortable to sit on.
Personally, I mix it up. If it’s cold and dry, then I go over to show off my socks. If it’s wet, I keep them under so they don’t get filthy. With waterproof socks especially it's best that they go under your tights or leg warmers, meaning any water actually dripping down the legs winds up on the outside of the membrane, rather than channelling it directly into your shoe.
How do we test winter cycling socks?
This guide has a good few years of winter testing behind it now, and I've tested upwards of 25 pairs to distil the market down into what I think are the best options. As I'm out in all weathers anyway, testing winter gear, so I'm always trying new socks.
I've regularly submerged my feet, tested waterproof socks to the limit (I'll spare you the video of me emptying them of water), and gone out in freezing conditions to see which ones cut the mustard. The video below is far from atypical. I don't actually own any winter cycling shoes, so I'm fully motivated by making sure the internal insulation is as good as it can be, or else I'll have a bad time.
As I mentioned in the intro to this guide, I'm not wedded to cycling socks in the winter. My background is as a field geologist and I learned a great deal about keeping my feet warm working in subarctic Norway through the winter. You don't have to stick to cycling brands, and I'd actually suggest you shouldn't for the most part when the conditions are very cold and wet.
