Bamboo socks for the bike ride

Short answer: On a bike your feet get warm and damp, even in winter. Choose a thin sock that moves moisture, and bring a dry pair if the ride is long or the weather is poor, so your feet do not stay cold for the rest of the day.

Your feet work on the bike

Even though your legs are moving, your feet stay almost still in the shoe and get warm and damp from pressing on the pedals. A sock that moves moisture away from the skin keeps your feet more comfortable the whole way. Many women who commute by bike choose thin styles from socks for women, because they fit both trainers and smarter shoes.

Thin rather than thick in cycling shoes

Cycling shoes and sturdy shoes do not have much room. A thick sock squeezes the foot, and when the blood cannot flow freely, the foot gets colder, not warmer. Choose a thin or medium style from socks for men and women that lies smoothly without folds, so nothing rubs when you push the pedals.

Moisture in winter too

It sounds odd, but your feet sweat on a cold winter ride as well. Body heat and a closed winter boot create moisture, and when you stop at a traffic light, the damp foot cools down quickly. A sock that moves moisture out towards the shoe helps the foot keep its warmth while you are moving and afterwards.

Length matters

A sock that ends below the ankle leaves a strip of bare skin between shoe and trousers, and you feel it on a cold morning. Choose a style that reaches a little above the ankle, so it covers the gap when the trouser leg rides up as you pedal. It also keeps the chain clear if you tuck the trouser leg into the sock.

A dry pair at work

If you commute in all weathers, a dry pair in your desk drawer is the best move. Change when you arrive and let the damp pair dry during the day so it is ready for the ride home. Many men keep a few extra pairs from socks for men at work all year round, so they always have something to change into.

Rain and wet shoes

If your shoes get wet in the rain, so do your socks. Wet socks cool the foot quickly, so change as soon as you can. Stuff the shoes with newspaper to dry, and avoid putting them right against a hot radiator. If you often get wet feet, a pair of overshoes is a good investment for autumn rides.

Wash after the ride

Socks from the bike ride have worked hard and should be washed after each use. Wash them at 40 degrees inside out and let them air dry, so the elastic lasts longer. Avoid fabric softener, as it makes the fabric worse at moving moisture. Keep enough pairs to cover a week of commuting, so there is always a clean pair ready.

Frequently asked questions

Is bamboo warm enough for cycling in winter

Inside the shoe, yes, if the foot stays dry. In hard frost you need a thicker sock or an overshoe so your feet do not get cold on the way.

What should I do when my socks get wet from rain

Change as soon as possible. Wet socks cool the foot quickly, so it pays to carry a dry pair in your bag when the weather looks uncertain.

Does wearing two pairs help

Only if the shoe has room. Otherwise it gets tight, the blood flows less freely and the foot gets colder. A single thin pair in a shoe with room is usually better.