Yes, there are important performance factors when choosing your cycling kit. You’ll need the best cycling jerseys and the best cycling shorts for sure, but let’s be honest, it’s all about the socks. The height is a hotly debated topic, but in my eyes the taller the better, that way you get even more ridiculous tan lines that you can struggle to explain away when you’re on the beach.
I’m not going to pretend that socks, outside the realm of aero-optimised models that will actually save you a few watts, are as important to performance as something like tyres, but for whatever reason cyclists put a great deal of importance on them. As such, they definitely fall into the ‘look fast; feel fast’ category. More than that, though, they have to fit well, stay up, and last more than a couple of washes.
I’ve been slowly working through a small mountain of socks since the onset of autumn last year to bring you guides to the best winter cycling socks and the best cycling socks for summer, and from those guides, there are some clear winners. The margins aren’t so clear-cut as with other categories, but they are still the best of the bunch nonetheless.
The winners
Best overall, summer
The winning recipe for a very good pair of summer cycling socks is simple: Well made, won’t fall down, keep their shape in the wash, and not crazy expensive. The Rapha Pro Team Socks tick all of these boxes and come in multiple heights and various attractive colours.
I opt for the extra tall version, and they only come in a smaller range of colours, but the standard height comes in a wide array. They’ve never shown a hint of falling down, even when vanity has seen me oil my legs for a sunny ride. They hug the foot perfectly, and while they’re not the most breathable they are easily breezy enough for the hottest days out. They are also durable, which is important. I’ve had a pair for seven years and only stopped wearing them because I lost one of the pair.
Best overall & Best value, winter
These are my favourite winter cycling socks so much so they actually take home two awards in the form of Best Overall and Best Value. They are my go-to winter cycling socks despite being one of the least thick of the bunch. They are technically MTB socks, but despite what the Bicycle Industrial Complex may tell you it is possible to wear the wrong genre socks and not suffer any catastrophic fate. Why are these the best, though?
Clever design, for a…
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