Winter Cycling - Socks with the most warmth for their thickness

Tried out my new MXZ301s today. The '06 model. I'm kind of regretting not saving up the extra bucks for the '07, as the BOA thingy is screwy, and the heels are a little loose. The left BOA blew up on me when the screw backed out, luckily it was at home so I didn't lose any parts. I'll use some red loctite and hope it holds. Wish it had an allen bolt instead of the pin holes, since I always carry allen wrenches.

edit: I also tried out my new Salsa Lobster gloves. They were comfy and I had a good grip on the bars and brakes.

It was mid-20s, and I was wearing two pairs of mid-weight wool socks. Was barely enough for my hour ride. So I'm looking for something warmer for socks. Either some KICK-ASS thick ones, or some really warm ones that are thin enough to layer.

Any recomendations? :)

I wear a single pair of the thicker Smartwool crews down to 15f. I add a pair of my thinner Smartwool socks when it gets colder than that. Of course if your shoes are too tight, nothing will keep them warm, you need enough room for some air insulation.

I got 48s, but I normally wear a 47 in the same brand. They're a little on the narrow side, but I'm hoping they'll stretch a little with use.

Smartwool, definitely smartwool.

I recently became a smart wool convert.
The design of those socks is awesome!!
A single pair of smartwool socks with a sock liner under my non-insulated $15.00 hiking boots is goot down to 20F

Tell me more about liners. What about the seal skin things I read about?

Thanks for all the info!

Also vote smartwool. They have limitations, but for a given thickness they win.

never tried the seal skins, don't plan to either
the sock liners I am talking about are just cheap polypro liners I picked up at REI for 5 bucks or so
they keep the moisture off your feet
combine those with foot powders and your feet should stay dry, and dry == warm in most cases


Tell me more about liners. What about the seal skin things I read about?

Thanks for all the info!

The thicker the worse if you've got anything over them = shoes/boots, blood circulation is poor if you cant move your feet around well enough. Its like going skating outdoors, everyone always puts big thick wool socks on and they wonder why their feet freeze, especially with skates where you have to lace them up tight, you're better off going barefoot because of that.

I got 48s, but I normally wear a 47 in the same brand. They're a little on the narrow side, but I'm hoping they'll stretch a little with use.

Sounds like you should consider going UP a size (to 49). The more room your toes have the better.

I have a pair of so called windstopper socks. Mostly polyester, lycra. Like thin nylon socks. Thin and warmer than the socks 10 times their thickness. Label on socks indicates the only brand name to be "Pro."

Sealskinz are great combined with wool socks if you are wearing sandals - big sandals.

Smartwools. And I have to agree with a bit more room for warmth and circulation...

I can wiggle my toes ok, and I think the shoes would be too loose if I went any bigger. They're just a little narrow in the middle of my foot. Perhaps I'll talk to my shoemaker friend about stretching that part. I'm also considering talking to Lake and see if I can trade them in for a newer version and pay the difference. The '06 BOA design is pretty cludgy.

sealskinz are awesome.

lake mt boots, sealskinz, and smartwool keep me happy down to the single digits. havent found a good solution for below about 5 degrees yet, but above that i'm warm and dry in all kinds of freezing icy slushy muck.

Any recomendations? :)

I wonder if your shoes weren't too tight given that you were wearing 2 pairs of socks. This limits circulation, and will make your feet/toes cold regardless of what shoe you wrap around them. With the Lakes (I own a pair), you really just need ONE thin pair of socks. You should be able to wiggle your toes when strapped in. If you cannot, your shoes are too tight, and your toes will get cold - guaranteed.

yeah, i bought a pair of lakes shoes a couple years ago... before i had the wisdom of the bike forums. i really really really wish i had of known/been told to get them two sizes, not one, larger. *sigh* they have not stretched. i'm happy with the velcro design (except when it gets too close to my tights) but not happy in these temps.

i've alread learned (the hard way) that wearing two layers doesn't work. so i'm hoping to save up enough cash to invest in some better socks. i guess i'll try looking for the smartwool. our local bike show is in a month, so i guess i'll have to make due for the rest of the season.

i also have a problem with sweaty feet. i have to change my socks a couple times a day; let one pair dry switch back etc. even with my coolmax defeet cycling socks! the wetness adds to the cold factor. i'm thinking that i should try the suggestion of using a foot powder. is baby powder ok? does it have to be "gold bond"? or is there something else i should try (that i can find in canada)?

i actually just got back from the chiropodists, so today is all about feet apparently...

Recently I've been wearing a pair of misty mountain micro fleese socks with extra fleese on the toes, heels and soles under a pair of wool socks. I've found them to be a very warm combination for riding in the cold while wearing converse sneakers. A size larger shoe with room indside made all the difference for me.

pyze-guy: was it you that showed me a pair of skiing socks? i keep thinking about them, and wondering what kind they are/if they're thin enough...

For some really nice warm socks that are low profile (in thickness) try going to your local farm & fleet-type store and go to the ice fishing section. Get the neoprene socks they have there.

I got some Super Socks for $15, they're great.

i also have a problem with sweaty feet. i have to change my socks a couple times a day; let one pair dry switch back etc. even with my coolmax defeet cycling socks! the wetness adds to the cold factor. i'm thinking that i should try the suggestion of using a foot powder. is baby powder ok? does it have to be "gold bond"? or is there something else i should try (that i can find in canada)?


Yup, I use Gold Bond foot powder, and it works very well. I'm guessing that you could use any brand. Gold Bond is all that I have experience in using.

pyze-guy: was it you that showed me a pair of skiing socks? i keep thinking about them, and wondering what kind they are/if they're thin enough...

I use ski socks for the most part. The good ones are very low-profile, and work well with the Lake winter shoes. There should be some sales pretty soon!

SmartWool Merino Wool Snowboard Socks $6.95

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/product.aspx?baseno=11731&CN=SmartWool-Merino-Wool-Snowboard-Socks-For-Men-and-Women-

SmartWool RBX Ultra Cushion Mini-Crew Socks $5.95

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/product.aspx?baseno=11652&CN=SmartWool-RBX-Ultra-Cushion-Mini-Crew-Socks-for-Men-and-Women

thanks bac!

yeah, the annual bike show around here is in oh, about 37 days...

*runs off to count pennies*

I've gained more wiggle room (and the ability to wear thicker / multiple socks) by replacing the overly thick insole with a much thinner one.

I find better results with multiple socks rather than one big thick one.

The real issue is to have your winter shoes kind of loose fitting. Not just in the toe but all over. Too tight around the instep and across the ball area will defeat any insulating strategies.

I use a neoprene sock next to the skin as a vapor barrier and then a short ankle high acrylic sports sock. This sock has very little thickness but this combination keeps me warmer because I have more room. I consider two sizes over to be a minimum and in many cases three sizes over should be used if in really cold climates.

The real issue is to have your winter shoes kind of loose fitting. Not just in the toe but all over. Too tight around the instep and across the ball area will defeat any insulating strategies.

I use a neoprene sock next to the skin as a vapor barrier and then a short ankle high acrylic sports sock. This sock has very little thickness but this combination keeps me warmer because I have more room. I consider two sizes over to be a minimum and in many cases three sizes over should be used if in really cold climates.

Everyone keeps talking about loose fitting for warmth, but I wonder how much scientific evidence backs that up. For nordic/alpine skiiers and snowboarders you need boots that are tight/snug fitting for several reasons, and warmth is no problem...

for everyone that uses smartwool socks, which ones are you using? I just picked up a pair of ski smartwoll socks for cheap that go up just below my knees.

for everyone that uses smartwool socks, which ones are you using? I just picked up a pair of ski smartwoll socks for cheap that go up just below my knees.

Smartwool Adrenaline Heavy Crews are what I use in the winter. Not cheap, but worth it.

Everyone keeps talking about loose fitting for warmth, but I wonder how much scientific evidence backs that up. For nordic/alpine skiiers and snowboarders you need boots that are tight/snug fitting for several reasons, and warmth is no problem...

Those are two different activities,one has ground contact/pressure point the other is a constant rpm of a crank/creating a wind chill they can't even measure yet, apples and oranges.

Everyone keeps talking about loose fitting for warmth, but I wonder how much scientific evidence backs that up. For nordic/alpine skiiers and snowboarders you need boots that are tight/snug fitting for several reasons, and warmth is no problem...

I tend to prefer what I know from experience rather than what some non-cyclist observes from a controlled lab environment. As Vger already mentioned, you are comparing apples and oranges anyway.

for everyone that uses smartwool socks, which ones are you using?

I use the 'extra heavy cushion' 'mountaineering' (mid-calf) and 'hunting' (over-calf) models. If they made an 'ultra heavy cushion' model I'd buy that. The more cushion, the better. Not really sure how they compare to other brands for insulation. Never cycled in them much, though.

For liners my favorites are Fox River X-Static.

Ultimax wool, wind sock liner and Garne winter boot work well together. But if I forget the hat or gaitor, it's game-over for warm feet.

i backed off to jsut one layer of sock with my chemical warmers and they work great down to below zero F.

i was just packing the shoe too tight for the warmers to breathe.

So after several chilly days I decided to try different approaches to see which sock/toe cover combo worked best for me. I found wool socks, then neoprene toe covers, with my micro fleece socks last have kept my feet toasty warm in every ride I've tried, all while wearing loose fitting converse one-stars.

Another idea if you like the multi-layer effect is to use a wool sock and a polypro liner. I also think 2 pairs makes things too tight in your shoes.

Smartwool, Smartwool, Smartwool:

40F +: Smartwool running socks and cycling shoes
15F - 40F: Smartwool hiking crew and Lake MXZ301 (2 sizes over normal)
15F on down: Smartwool hiking crew with Smartwool liner and Lake MXZ301.

Sierra Trading Post is the place for Smartwool deals.

Smartwools are overpriced. They're made in the same factory (I've heard) as a lot of the cheaper versions. Wool is wool, in my opinion.

Smartwools are overpriced. They're made in the same factory (I've heard) as a lot of the cheaper versions. Wool is wool, in my opinion.

+1

I have both official Smartwools ($15/pair) and Head brand bought at Costco 2006 ($4/pair) , and in 2007 Kirkland's (Costco) own version ($3/pair). The design, stitching look and feel EXACTLY THE SAME.

YMMV