Winter socks

Merino wool sock like DeFeet Woolie Boolies are a good choice. Using an old pair of road shoes I tape up vents, add a liner sock under the wool sock and line the insole of the shoe with a thin foil/foam material and lambswool insole plus for really low temps add toe covers under overshoes.

Castelli Quindici are good warm socks. However if you really want warm feet buy some winter cycling boots like the Northwave Extreme I wear these and just the one pair of Quindici socks and never get cold feet

another vote for defeet woolie boolies, with 6” cuff

Sniper68 wrote:

I remove the insole then cut three or four layers of Tinfoil to shape and put them inside the shoe then replace the insole.Merino socks and overshoes and feet are good down to about -4/5

Clever...

Planet X Thicky Merino socks - can be had for as little as £3 a pair, and they are supremely comfortable, warm, and go through a wash and come out without any deterioration in quality that I can see, one of THE best value, and hardset wearing items I have ever bought - I've even taken them with me to the alps, and they were more than sufficient.
Think my 3 pairs must be around 7 years old now, and get hammered every year, and show no sign of dying.

https://www.planetx.co.uk/s?q=thicky+merino

I also more recently bought some more pricey, and softer Castelli ones, the name escapes me.
Are they softer - yes
Are they warmer - no
Are they any better - no
Do they look nicer - debatable

Mine are these:


As a rule I am not a fan of Planet X\DFS for a number of reasons I won't go into here, but these socks are, for me, a real gem in a warehouse of, ummmm, non gem like things

Daniel B wrote:

Think my 3 pairs must be around 7 years old now, and get hammered every year, and show no sign of dying.

Probably less "hammering" than you think... mine typically last 2 winters

I've got a pair of these

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/sportful-merin ... 6cm-socks/

Which I rate, though I am sure are similar to other 'winter' socks from other brands.

Other things to consider
- Winter overshoes
- toe covers underneath the overshoes if needed
- a layer of clingfilm in between if needed.
- Make sure there is enough space in your shoe for big socks, if your shoes is particularly close fitting then it might be preventing circulation by layering too much inside the shoe. Instead, layer outside the shoe.

Daniel B wrote:

Planet X Thicky Merino socks - can be had for as little as £3 a pair, and they are supremely comfortable, warm, and go through a wash and come out without any deterioration in quality that I can see, one of THE best value, and hardset wearing items I have ever bought - I've even taken them with me to the alps, and they were more than sufficient.
Think my 3 pairs must be around 7 years old now, and get hammered every year, and show no sign of dying.

https://www.planetx.co.uk/s?q=thicky+merino

I also more recently bought some more pricey, and softer Castelli ones, the name escapes me.
Are they softer - yes
Are they warmer - no
Are they any better - no
Do they look nicer - debatable

Mine are these:


As a rule I am not a fan of Planet X\DFS for a number of reasons I won't go into here, but these socks are, for me, a real gem in a warehouse of, ummmm, non gem like things

My PX thicky's last around two years before the heel goes thin on them.

Just to note PX whack a delivery on their orders so it can work out cheaper to get them elsewhere, Chapeau I think are still doing three for two offers on socks, Wiggles thermal socks are around £5 I think so may work out cheaper than PX.

Yesterday I wore some wiggle Thermolite ones seemed OK with an over sock then overshoes.

I wear wool walking/ hiking socks. Lovely thick sole and reach about 9” up the leg. Current pair have been going strong for 5yrs plus. These sit under Sidi winter boots (which have thermal and goretex properties). They are fine in the dry. In the wet however, capillary action draws the water down from leg warmers/ tights into the socks and ultimately into the boots so you get wet feet. Tried Grip Grab neoprene mini gaiters, which seal the tops of the boots well, but again capillary action draws the water in after a few hours. They were worth the less than a tenner they cost.

Just bought some neoprene Spatz overshoes which reach up the calf. Plan is to wear these over the boots and socks and put the leg warmers down over the top of them. Hopefully this will hold the water out a bit longer.

PP

Winter boots (Specialized Defrosers or Northwave Fahrenheit) with these
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/deep-wi ... DWS03XXBLK
and these
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/feet-warmer ... 73956.html
are very toasty. Add neoprene overshoes if still not warm enough. I can't emphasis how good the foot warmers are though.

Woolie boolies for me as a first resort but they can be a struggle if there's no spare room in your shoes. May be worth considering a cheapish pair of shoes for winter use. I run with overshoes all winter, so no-one can see what shoes I'm wearing! I did try Northwave winter boots but I found them a complete faff to get on and didn't like the fit of them. As others have said on coldest days I have been known to stick on the castelli toe covers below the overshoes. The easiest overshoes to work with I found were gripgrab - they don't look the best but they are thick, warm and there is no wrestling match trying to get my shoes on!

Peter