Best Summer Riding Socks?

[XLR8]

Can anyone recommend some riding socks that aren't a moto specific brand yet work well for touring in higher temps?

I know about Sidi, etc but my thinking is that it might be possible to find the same thing elsewhere for less.

[miles]

I like Defeet or Sock Guy bicycling socks.  They're thin and wick well.

[XLR8]

I have some sock guy socks but haven't seen any that are high enough for motorcycling boots.

Thanks for the tip. I'll check their site.

BTW, I bought some Castelli socks for cycling. OMG, I think I've purchases 4 more pairs in the last two weeks. I even wear them as dress socks at work.  

[miles]

I have some sock guy socks but haven't seen any that are high enough for motorcycling boots.

Thanks for the tip. I'll check their site.

I wear the shorties.  As far as I know they don't make any calf-length socks, but I may be wrong.  

You could get yourself a set of these: http://www.sockguy.com/ProductInfo/CR12RAIX.aspx

[MrMoto]

I bought Adidas Soccer socks. High enough to deal with any boot. Cheap, thin, wicking.

[XLR8]

I wear the shorties.  As far as I know they don't make any calf-length socks, but I may be wrong.  

You could get yourself a set of these: http://www.sockguy.com/ProductInfo/CR12RAIX.aspx

I'd wear those. I may get a pair.  

[vice]

I bought some Under Armour "cool" socks from TJ Maxx.  They were cheap and work great in the heat.

[JReazor]

I like over the calf socks with motorcycle boots. I buy light weight, synthetic ski socks. I usually pick up a pair or two at the end-of-the-season sale at our local ski shop every year.

[birdrunner]

I bought Adidas Soccer socks. High enough to deal with any boot. Cheap, thin, wicking.

+1

but usually I wear some very thin wool socks.  Feet may get sweaty,  but they're comfortable.

[XLR8]

In case this thread helps someone else, I found this:

http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/mens/apparel/underwear-and-socks/socks/pid8503107-Men-s-Allsport-Sock/8503107-301

[paddy_crow]

+1

but usually I wear some very thin wool socks.  Feet may get sweaty,  but they're comfortable.

Your feet are more likely to get sweaty with cotton. They'll be dry with a good pair of wool socks.

I wear poly liner socks. My boots fit fairly tight, so I don't have room for bulky socks. With the liners, it's almost like going barefoot inside the boots. My feet stay very cool.

[squeezer]

I like the under armour stuff too.

The August issue of Rider has a review article on moto socks, fwiw. Mostly it just makes me think, "Damn, that's a lot of money for freakin' socks."

[bomber]

UnderArmor (or Champs) baseball sox . . . . high enough to clear your boots, and something like 8 bux for two pair.

Nice wicking action (I am particular about my dogs, and I love these sox -- easily the equal of some high-dollar MC branded sox).

[miles]

Am I alone in not caring for tall socks?  Why do you all seem to want your socks to clear the top edge of your boots?    

[MadOzodi]

Am I alone in not caring for tall socks?  Why do you all seem to want your socks to clear the top edge of your boots?    

Nope, I hate tall socks because they never stay up for me.

I decided to give the Injinji toesocks a dance after my sister requested a couple of pairs for Xmas.  For me, the mini-crew length is sufficient in my Sidi Cobras; the lining of the boots is not uncomfortable and does not rub.

They feel un-natural when you put them on for the first time, but after wearing them for a couple of hours, I found them to be extremely comfortable.  Having my toes free to move independently enhanced the feel of my pegs, like I knew better where my feet were positioned both laterally and fore/aft of the peg.

After using them during my four track days this year, I'll never ride without them!

[bomber]

Am I alone in not caring for tall socks?  Why do you all seem to want your socks to clear the top edge of your boots?    

Extra padding between the sometimes unfriendly top of the boot, warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer . . . . .

[Croak]

Wool.  Always wool.  A good modern merino wool sock will last years, seriously resists foot funk, insulates even if wet, all while still being comfortable in the summer.  Feet come out of the socks not looking like they were soaking for hours either.  

Cotton is for stuffing in the top of aspirin bottles, not for putting on your feet.  

[miles]

Extra padding between the sometimes unfriendly top of the boot, warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer . . . . .

Well, those are the obvious answers, but I guess I don't really have those issues.  I've never had any boots that had uncomfortable, chafing uppers.  Also, I generally don't ride without pants, so either the pants are tucked in and cover the ankle-on-up area, or the boots are tucked inside the pants and there's no airflow anyway, hot or cool.

[bomber]

 Also, I generally don't ride without pants,

ya oughta give it a shot, Miles -- very liberating.

[greench440]

I even wear them as dress socks at work.  

You're wearing dress socks with Tevas?

[miles]

ya oughta give it a shot, Miles -- very liberating.

I once saw a guy wearing a kilt riding a Triumph Tiger.  It's fair to say it put me off my feed.

[Croak]

ya oughta give it a shot, Miles -- very liberating.

Puts a whole new spin on "tank slapper" too.  

[coho]

I once saw a guy wearing a kilt riding a Triumph Tiger.  It's fair to say it put me off my feed.

Saw a guy at the Seattle IMS a few years ago wearing a Utilikilt.  Stepped into his Roadcrafter in the elevator to the parking garage, whipped the kilt up over his torso (praise Jeebus he wasn't going regimental that day   ) and zipped up the 'stitch.

[stromgal]

I like short, light wicking socks in summer, have a few pair of hiking 'liners' that I wear. In colder weather it's knee-high, warm, supportive wool blend.

[miles]

Saw a guy at the Seattle IMS a few years ago wearing a Utilikilt.  Stepped into his Roadcrafter in the elevator to the parking garage, whipped the kilt up over his torso (praise Jeebus he wasn't going regimental that day   ) and zipped up the 'stitch.

I may have to try that. I have a UK and a 'stich after all...  then again, the UK is such a bulky and heavy piece of clothing packing it would be a challenge.

[ConPilot1]

I can wear pretty much anything in my CBTL's. Great boot. They breath very well believe it or not.

[jimmy]

Puts a whole new spin on "tank slapper" too.  

Nice one!  

[Specter]

Techsox

http://www.techsox.com/mc/motorcycle.htm

All temperature comfortable

[birdrunner]

Wool.  Always wool.  A good modern merino wool sock will last years, seriously resists foot funk, insulates even if wet, all while still being comfortable in the summer.  Feet come out of the socks not looking like they were soaking for hours either.  

Cotton is for stuffing in the top of aspirin bottles, not for putting on your feet.  

Yup,  I picked mine up cheap at Costco.

[Scratch33]

I've got a couple pairs of these coconut fiber socks on back-order from RoadGear.

http://roadgear.com//coconut-silver-socks-c-22_63.html?osCsid=2613c5e9be4289b7b20baac94f338042

[MadOzodi]

I've got a couple pairs of these coconut fiber socks on back-order from RoadGear.

http://roadgear.com//coconut-silver-socks-c-22_63.html?osCsid=2613c5e9be4289b7b20baac94f338042

+ 1  

I also think they go the longest without getting all funkdified.

[ConPilot1]

I've got a couple pairs of these coconut fiber socks on back-order from RoadGear.

http://roadgear.com//coconut-silver-socks-c-22_63.html?osCsid=2613c5e9be4289b7b20baac94f338042

Anything like the metallic silver impregnated ones?? Supposedly anti-bacterial/anti-funk

[1KPerDay]

ya oughta give it a shot, Miles -- very liberating.

Watch out for "tankslappers" if you do the ton, though.

[auggius]

Anything like the metallic silver impregnated ones?? Supposedly anti-bacterial/anti-funk

Well I wore a pair of ankle length Copper Sole socks that I bought at Mark's Work Wearhouse on a long weekend ride.  Thin, yet cushy still, and (from my perspective) not stinky at end of day.  Maybe there's something to it.

[FJRmgm]

I like Defeet or Sock Guy bicycling socks.  They're thin and wick well.

+1 to this....

[Travman101]

Best I've found is Klim Ventilated knee high socks.  All day ride in 95 degree heat and the feet stay cool.

[CanadianBird]

All my next to the skin riding gear is from www.icebreaker.com Pure Melino wool, three different weights. I never wear synthetic tech clothing any longer.

[jsanford]

I like Defeet or Sock Guy bicycling socks.  They're thin and wick well.

+1 on both counts.  And deFeets last forever.  After fifteen years, I just wore through my first pair.  And that includes extensive bicycling and lately running.

[KRider]

Wool.  Always wool.  A good modern merino wool sock will last years, seriously resists foot funk, insulates even if wet, all while still being comfortable in the summer.  Feet come out of the socks not looking like they were soaking for hours either.  

Cotton is for stuffing in the top of aspirin bottles, not for putting on your feet.  

+1

I would imagine it will be different for everyone. I have tried many different types of socks. The thinner moisture wicking socks, definitely don't work for me! My feet sweat all day in them. The Techsox mentioned above,  are made well, but I worn them on two occasions and my feet were wet all day. It wasn't a real hot day either. What I have found to work best for me is Wool socks, mentioned above. I usually buy the thicker ones, they have more cushion, which leads to better comfort. They keep my feet dry all day, even in hot temps. I did buy a generic name brand and they didn't work as well as the better hiking wool socks. They usually run me about $16 a pair, but worth it.

[Major 662]

I just crossed California's central valley in high-90s heat wearing Smart Wool ankle-length socks.  They don't stink, but my feet were soaked.  In all fairness, the boots were waterproof Sidi Cobras, so they don't breathe well.

[jetnc1]

I've been wearing my Smart Wool ski socks here in Charlotte during this incredibly hot weather, +100 deg. I've got a pair of Alpinestar  waterproof boots. My feet stay very comfortable. They do get a little wet, but I don't notice it as they "feel" dry and very comfortable. I don't think any sock will keep your feet from sweating when it's this hot. The sock comes up to the top of my boot so my boot doesn't contact my skin, I can't stand wearing shorter socks as the boot rubs on my shin. Even though it's a merino wool sock it really does keep your feet more comfortable than cotton. The ski sock is specially padded on the shin, and thinner on the back (no padding). My leg is bent just like skiing so that padding feels very nice. And it doesn't smell, even after a 650 mile day in +100 temps my feet weren't stinking at all!

[JourneyAbout]

Merino wool!    Cotton=Rotten
A nice thin Smartwool cycling sock is good.  I replaced all my socks a couple of years ago with several thicknesses and heights of merino and will never go back.  

[mugwump58]

The "new" Army issue socks work well. They have silver thread in them to move heat and are anti-microbial. I don't think there's any wool in them at all any more. Of course they are tall and no they don't fall down.

[Mastros2]

I'll bump this for a review of my new socks.

After reading this thread, I went over the Dicks Sporting Goods and picked up a pair of Nike Soccer Socks for $6.  Wow. What a difference.  My feet and legs feel better after riding.  No chaffing and my feel didn't sweat as well.  

I also picked up a pair of UnderArmor skiing socks for riding in colder temps. Wait for that review...

Thanks for the recommendation.