Warm socks

pottssteve

Hi All,

I'm in the market for some new cycling-specific socks and would be happy to take recommendations. Key features for me are:

1. Reasonably warm (I'll be riding in Japan in March, temps generally up to 17 degrees Celsius during the day, might be wet).
2. Ideally left/right specific with appropriate padding.
3. Not too tight at the top as I have poor circulation in my right foot. Don't mind if they are a bit longer to avoid chilly gaps between bib tights and sock top.
4. Decent quality - will last for a while and stay comfy/looking OK.
5. I won't have to sell a kidney in order to buy a couple of pairs.

If such a sock exists I would love to hear of it.

Thanks,
Steve

shirley_basso

Defeet Woolie Boolie mk II are ideal for me and come in different height cuffs, but don't have the appropriate padding required however are not too expensive. I have read some reports that they do become bobbly over time but I imagine that's if you wear them every day, year round. I have 2 pairs and pick whichever pair is at the top of the drawer and use them for 6m of the year (20 miles a day commuting) and never had an issue with quality.

Wore them first thing this AM for 3 hours at around zero degrees with toe covers and 'standard' shoes and was chilly in one toe by the end.

17 oC is summer socks weather for me. I would highly recommended getting some toe covers if you suffer from cold feet - they are great for windchill and not as much faff as full on overshoes.


http://www.wiggle.co.uk/defeet-woolie-b ... uff-socks/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-toe-cover-overshoe/

pottssteve

Thanks, Shirley,

I have seen the Woolie Boolies on Wiggle and am tempted to go with them. I have poor circulation in my feet and live in Hong Kong, where I have become acclimatised to the warmer weather, so I feel the cold. I was out for 3 hours this morning and the temp was around 10 degrees but I was in bib longs, overshoes and winter gloves! It took me a good hour to warm up. I've become soft since leaving Europe, where I occasionally rode in temps as low as -10.

I am guessing that my wish list sock doesn't exist..

I notice that Rapha do some winter-specific socks and would be interested to know how good these are. I don't normally spend that kind of money but if they are worth it I would stretch to 20 quid for a pair.

shirley_basso

Options are:

Wrap toes in cling film/ plastic bag / tin foil (mix and match) to eliminate all windchill and increase insulation (seriously) I would suggest tin foil then cling film. If you're out all day it might lead to infection but 3 hours and slightly clammy feet is probably no worse than being caught in heavy rain.

As well as the toe covers I pointed out, Velotoze also offer good windchill shielding and while look very 'aero' are actually really good at keeping water out. Pain to put on and off though.

Sealskinz are good for warmth as they have lots of layers but aren't much use when it gets properly wet (they fill up with water through the membrane). Quite expensive though and quite bulky.

Do you have glove liners? I have some £10 silk ones from a cheap outdoor shop and they make a huge difference and are super thin so don't feel 'bulky'. Thinking it could be an option for your feet as well.

Check shoes aren't done up too tight as it restricts circulation.

Electrically heated soles?

ayjaycee

Just buy some thin silk liner socks - IMHO, they add a good few degrees to any 'normal' sock without making shoes too tight. Same goes for thin silk liners in gloves. They are relatively cheap here in the UK and should therefore be even cheaper in Stanley or elsewhere in HK.

mrb123

Woolie Boolies if it's very cold.

For less cold days the Prendas winter socks are fine and are very good value.

pottssteve

Thanks for the further feedback, folks. I have tried the plastic bag option in very cold conditions, and it does work. I don't think it will be that cold in Japan, but I might pack a few just in case.

Hands weren't too cold today, although I do own thin glove liners (Odlo) for colder conditions. I might give the liner socks a try - my shoes are big enough to accommodate them, and I do try not to fasten the shoes up too tightly.

Happy to receive any suggestions for products, especially if the Raphas are worth it.
Mr B - I will also take a look at the Prendas ones, thanks.

Cheers

keef66

Here in the UK I wear Woolie Boolies for 9 months of the year, with cheap neoprene overshoes if it's cold and/or wet. They have the advantage of keeping your feet warm even if you get caught out in the rain without the overshoes.

davesnothere

Another vote for Woolie Boolies here. Can't beat them

ryan_w-2

So I have Woolie Boolies & Northwave GTX boots (top of the range -15° jobbies).

And yet even this morning, I suffered from cold toes.

My core was warm (if not too warm). My shoes are hardly done up.

Maybe I just suffer from cold feet?

keef66

Either you do have naturally cold feet / poor circulation, or there isn't enough room in your boots to allow your feet to expand and the socks to do their thing by trapping warm air.

My wife always complains about cold feet in wellingtons while mine are toasty. I've given up suggesting fewer socks or larger wellingtons, and she carries on squeezing the blood out of her feet with inevitable consequences.

I learnt my lesson winter climbing in Scotland

alex222

I have two pairs of Woolie Boolies and find them excellent in the cold. Also a pair of the Prendas winter socks which are good for slightly warmer conditions.
Have seem complaints from some posters that the Woolie Boolies are too thick but it's never bothered me.
I also suffer from cold feet so normally combine with toe covers or overshoes.
I'd recommend going for the longer cuff version of the Woolie Boolies.

the_rover

Ryan_W wrote:

So I have Woolie Boolies & Northwave GTX boots (top of the range -15° jobbies).

And yet even this morning, I suffered from cold toes.

My core was warm (if not too warm). My shoes are hardly done up.

Maybe I just suffer from cold feet?

Same issue here, so it’s winter socks, north waves and some over shoes.

pottssteve

Thanks to all who replied. I may invest in some Woolie Bollies to give them a try, although I will probably take a look at the Raphas first. I'm not a fan of riding in thick socks, as I agree that they might make my shoes too tight, defeating the point of having them. Radha do a pair of thin, winter-specific socks, so that might be the way to go for me.

Cheers

shirley_basso

Rapha aren't the be all and end all, FYI. I can still have tight, supportive shoes and wear thick socks, just one click looser.


(I bloody love the PT Jacket and bibs, but socks? Come on)

FatTed

The Rapha winter socks are very nice and warm not too thick, I'm not a fan of Woolie Bollies, but many of my colleagues swear by them.I also have the Pro Team Socks but not worn them yet.

glynrs2

I suffer with cold feet too and get chilblains if not careful.
So have Northwave winter boots a size larger than normal so nice and roomy and Woolie Boolie socks. This combo works well down to about 5'C.
Below 5'C I also use Happy Hot Feet heated insoles. Set on the medium setting these keep my feet toasty.

the_rover

GlynRS2 wrote:

I suffer with cold feet too and get chilblains if not careful.
So have Northwave winter boots a size larger than normal so nice and roomy and Woolie Boolie socks. This combo works well down to about 5'C.
Below 5'C I also use Happy Hot Feet heated insoles. Set on the medium setting these keep my feet toasty.

No idea why I hadn’t considered heated insoles especially as Ive used them in the past for motor biking.

I’ve got something amiss with my nervous system and getting cold feet is one of the symptoms so these look a good option, how long have you had them? Ie, are they durable etc? Best place to buy?

Cheers Stuart.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

I took a punt at some Endura FS260 winter socks, literally just arrived, very thin for a winter sock!

Will report back when we get a chilly day... As luck would have it, it is practically shorts and t-shirt weather out there, at a tropical +11C!

Tiesetrotter

Not helpful I know. However PlanetX Morino Hotties in the worlds colour were absolutely the best and at £12 for three a bargain.

Sadly not discontinued and my last pair with holes went last week.

glynrs2

The Rover wrote:

GlynRS2 wrote:

I suffer with cold feet too and get chilblains if not careful.
So have Northwave winter boots a size larger than normal so nice and roomy and Woolie Boolie socks. This combo works well down to about 5'C.
Below 5'C I also use Happy Hot Feet heated insoles. Set on the medium setting these keep my feet toasty.

No idea why I hadn’t considered heated insoles especially as Ive used them in the past for motor biking.

I’ve got something amiss with my nervous system and getting cold feet is one of the symptoms so these look a good option, how long have you had them? Ie, are they durable etc? Best place to buy?

Cheers Stuart.

Got them from Sport Pursuit - about £40 or so on one of their deals.
Seem to be well made and working well for past couple of months. They do add a bit of height due to their thickness so need to have spare room in your shoe. My NW winter boots are a size bigger than my summer shoes so were fine. But could be an issue if your shoes are already snug.

the_rover

GlynRS2 wrote:

The Rover wrote:

GlynRS2 wrote:

I suffer with cold feet too and get chilblains if not careful.
So have Northwave winter boots a size larger than normal so nice and roomy and Woolie Boolie socks. This combo works well down to about 5'C.
Below 5'C I also use Happy Hot Feet heated insoles. Set on the medium setting these keep my feet toasty.

No idea why I hadn’t considered heated insoles especially as Ive used them in the past for motor biking.

I’ve got something amiss with my nervous system and getting cold feet is one of the symptoms so these look a good option, how long have you had them? Ie, are they durable etc? Best place to buy?

Cheers Stuart.

Got them from Sport Pursuit - about £40 or so on one of their deals.
Seem to be well made and working well for past couple of months. They do add a bit of height due to their thickness so need to have spare room in your shoe. My NW winter boots are a size bigger than my summer shoes so were fine. But could be an issue if your shoes are already snug.

Cheers, sounds promising. Sports pursuits are selling them at the moment but it’ll be £55 posted. It sounds pricey but having cold feet can spoil the ride so I’ll give it some thought.
Thanks for the reply.

northpole

Wooloie Boolies with 6" cuffs are ideal for me.

I tried the Northwave boots but I really don't get on with the feel of them round my ankles.

Instead, as temperatures fall I firstly resort to Castelli Toe Thingies and if cooler, out come the Grib Grab overshoes - these are a bit thicker than others I have tried plus they are easy to pull on. They don't look the most elegant but in winter riding, I don't care - the combination of these keeps my feet warm . Any colder out and my bike stays locked up!

Peter

Coach H

https://www.prendas.co.uk/collections/f ... nter-socks

Prendas Thermolite. Thinner than Woolie Boolies (so no issue with shoes being tight), warmer then Woolie Boolies (IME), cheaper than......you get the message.

I love the feel of woolie Boolies against my skin but Prendas Thermolite out perform them on a cold ride in every respect IME.

cycleclinic

Defeet woolie boolies for me too.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

NitrousOxide wrote:

I took a punt at some Endura FS260 winter socks, literally just arrived, very thin for a winter sock!

Will report back when we get a chilly day... As luck would have it, it is practically shorts and t-shirt weather out there, at a tropical +11C!

Frozen feet on yesterday's ride, but it was bitter up Old Winchester Hill!

DeVlaeminck

Diadora Artic (not arctic) winter boots are good, not sure if they still make them but sometimes come up as old stock on Amazon, eBay etc

bobones

I swear by these. (Similar from eBay).

I was out for 4 hours on Saturday at minus temps and feet were fine with Aldi waterproof socks, warmer pad on top of toes, Northwave Fahrenheit Boots, and Shimano Neoprene overshoes.

sebbyp

The chemical toe warmers are good, but I ride too much to justify the disposable cost.
Similar to others I have very poor circulation in the feet so they always get cold.
Got the Northwave arctic shoes and all the warm socks, woolie boolies, isoler black sheep merino, sportful winter merino etc. Doesnt matter, even with overshoes after you get below 3 degrees my feet are in trouble after 2 hours.
Decided to try the happy feet battery powered heated insoles, rather awesome on the test ride yesterday at -1degree for 2.5 hours. my mate from the Isle of Man came with me and was crippled with the cold but I was happy as larry. First time with warm feet all winter. not sure on how long they will last till I break them, have to wait and see.

thebosh

Iv been having a nightmare with my feet recently freezing up dont know if it cause I need some better socks but last time I tried them they made my shoes too tight and got blisters.

pilot_pete

I always wear hill walking socks for winter cycling. Something like Bridgedale. Similarly priced to specific cycling socks but I find many have lovely thick soles and toe box which really help insulate. Obviously you need to make sure your shoes have room for them because as others have pointed out too tight a shoe will hamper circulation.

On dry winter rides down to about five degrees C I can wear these under Sidi Carbon Wire summer shoes (highly ventilated!) and my feet stay warm enough. Wet or below that temp I wear Goretex lined Sidi winter boots with those socks.

PP