The Best Cycling Socks for Men & Women

If you’re an avid cyclist, then you’ll know the importance of high-quality cycling accessories and peripherals. If you want to be at the top of your game in terms of performance, comfort, and safety, then you’ll need a well-fitting helmet, a comfortable outfit, sturdy shoes, and of course, a great bike. But even if you have all this, there’s one thing you might be missing – a great pair of cycling socks!

Cycling socks might seem unimportant at first glance, but they are actually a key piece of kit. First things first, they’re damn comfy, with breathable, stretchy builds designed to contour to your feet without making you feel squashed. Beyond this, they also provide two key elements: compression and padding. Compression not only prevents the sock from bunching and, therefore, the possibility of blisters and friction but also helps to improve your blood circulation on long rides, helping to reduce discomfort and swelling. Padding, meanwhile, prevents rubbing from your shoes and from the bike pedal itself, keeping your toes from taking a battering on the go. Combine all of this, and you’ve got one great pair of cycling socks.

Here, we’ve picked 25 of the best for your perusal, so just read on to find a pair to suit you.

These low-cut cycling socks from Thirty48 are available in 8 different 3-pack sets, including all-black and high contrast colour options. They’re a simple enough cycling sock with a low-cut ankle cuff and a contoured design built for reliable comfort. Elasticated Lycra provides some extra arch support, while a moisture-wicking polypropylene construction means they’re sure to keep you cool on the go.

These lovely nylon biking socks from Feetures offer a range of striking designs in men’s sizes, medium to extra-large, including Sunset Waves and Blue Static patterned colorways. Targeted compression points give these sophisticated socks a nice amount of hold with high-density cushioning that strips out bulk while providing plenty of support in the right places. A 5” cuff gives them a nice high rise for cycling in mucky conditions, and a seamless toe box ensures you’ll be safe from rubbing and blisters, no matter how far you ride.

Lightly compressive and supremely soft, the nylon Dyora RS from Assos is a great choice of women’s cycling socks at a very reasonable price. These socks have a completely seamless construction to help prevent bunching and blisters and implement Assos’ signature ‘Hydrogen’ synthetic material for a gentle high-density cushioning system that constantly wicks moisture upwards to the cuff. They’re a high-tech sock at a low price and a great buy overall.

With a range of bright and cheerful colorways on offer, the Swiftwick Aspire Four trail socks keep your feet comfy and look good doing it. They have a unique mesh footbed for extra breathability, and Swiftwick’s lightweight Olefin fibre material provides plenty of abrasion resistance and makes the Aspire Four super durable. A seamless toe box prevents any blisters on your tiptoes, while a large Y-heel makes for a comfortably contoured step profile.

This women’s variant of Feetures Elite Light Cushion sock is the same as the men’s size but with a slightly different fit. Feetures base their designs on human anatomy rather than standard sizing measures, so you can rest assured that this variant is specifically made for women rather than just shrunk down from the men’s version. All the same great features of the original Light Cushion sock remain, of course, including targeted compression, a seamless toe box, and a comfortably tight 5” cuff.

Giro’s cycling socks stand apart from the crowd thanks to their unique Meryl Skinlife construction. This modern material has antibacterial properties that allow your feet to stay healthy and clean even on ultra-long rides. They have an ultralight build and strong compression to allow for healthy blood circulation without feeling too tight. Available in unisex sizes small to extra-large and alternative colorways, there’s a pair for the whole cycling team!

Giro’s Racer socks once again implement synthetic Meryl Skinlife for supreme comfort and foot health, this time in a highlight yellow/black contrasting two-tone colorway. They have a mid-ankle 3” cut and provide excellent visibility out on the road, so they’re a great pick for riding in low-light conditions. Their fit is nice and snug, and they’re stitched to a very high standard by Giro over in Italy.

Ornot’s Mt. Tam socks are a great-looking pair of socks for cycling with some interesting history behind them. San Franciscans and runners from all over the world have been running up Mount Tamalpais’ 750m-high slope for years now, and back in 2015, Ornot sponsored the climb and designed this excellent patterned cycling sock to commemorate the event. It’s not just great to look at but also thin and breathable, and the whole thing is made from environmentally friendly recycled polyester.

Compressprint’s comprehensive selection of socks for biking is a great first stop for those looking to stock up on a bunch of socks all of the same type. 3-Packs and 4-Packs are both on offer, with various colour and pattern options, including bicycle prints and geometric collages. The mid-rise cut provides a nice snug fit, and 20mm of compression cushioning gives you protection in all the right places on strenuous rides.

These lovely merino wool cycling socks from DeFeet have various great features that add together to make a sock greater than the sum of its parts. With a thin overall construction, the Cyclismo is a lightweight sock in general, but meta padding has been implemented just below the toe box to provide proper padding where your foot hits the pedal.

The whole lower portion of the sock is made from 360-degree breathable mesh, while the upper segment uses a textured weave that’s comfortable and good for circulation. The no-feel toe contoured toe box is another great addition, while the two-tone pink/grey colorway adds some visibility while looking great to boot. Plus, thanks to the merino wool used in the sock’s weave, the whole thing is naturally moisture-wicking, as well as being soft to the touch.

Designed specifically for women, Liv Cycling’s Short & Sweet socks are a fantastic pair of ankle socks with a simple but well-made construction. A mesh upper provides nice breathability to these low-cut women’s cycling socks, while flat seams ensure zero rubbing or blistering. They have a thin, smooth feel and high 144 needle count stitching, ensuring maximum durability. Available in black or white colorways, they’re some of the best cycling socks made specifically for women.

Lin’s affordable 7-pack is a great one-stop option for those stocking up on lots of cycling socks at once. Inspired by the champion jerseys of various historical cycling events, each of the seven pairs has its unique colorway. At the same time, all of them sport an invisible toe sea, extended Y-heel, and arch support band. All of these features combine to make one comfortable, good-looking cycling sock.

These high-rise 7” socks from Swiftwick once again bring together their unique Olefin fibre fabric with a little bit of spandex for a stretchy, comfortably contoured pair of biking socks. A mesh footbed design allows for extra breathability in this long sock, while thin cushioning provides plenty of protection from rubbing without adding too much bulk. Available in four unique colorways, the Swiftwick Aspire Seven also includes an ankle-height logo for a bit of extra flair.

GuaziV’s breathable cycling socks are a good budget pick available for as little as 15 dollars per 4-Pack. Each pack includes socks of varying designs, from simple two-tone options to high visibility dayglo picks to fun polka dots and stripes. The socks themselves are nice and simple, with an elasticated cuff and a moisture-wicking polyester build, making them a great pair of cycling socks for men and women alike.

These stretchy 100% nylon/spandex socks from Compressprint are built for pure performance. Available in a 3-pack or a 4-pack of two-tone, high-cut socks, these are lightly cushioned and otherwise relatively seamless, preventing rubbing even during long rides. They’re available in men’s and women’s sizes, and reviews report a snug overall fit.

While they might seem simple on the surface, Memory Pilot’s Awesome socks are surprisingly sophisticated. They’re sold as a basic cycling sock for those who need socks for cycling daily, with a high-quality seamless-stitched design and a light compression fit that make them both comfortable and durable. Plus, they’re available in unisex sizes, so they’re great for both men and women.

A performance sock built for comfort and durability, Louis Garneau’s Conti cycling socks for men, are simple but effective. It is made with COOLMAX, a high-tech material manufactured from polyester. They effectively wick moisture and keep your foot dry and friction-free even on long rides. A breathable mesh upper adds to their breathability, while reinforced heels provide plenty of long-term durabilities. Five colorway options are on offer, including black and white zebra stripes and a high-contrast dayglo yellow edition.

POC’s road socks are super thin thanks to their high-density cushioning and otherwise stripped-back design, making them a great option for cyclists cutting down on weight and bulk. They have a mid-foot elasticated band to provide extra arch support while pedalling and a flat seam toe box to prevent blistering during long rides. Synthetic air mesh material is used to add breathability, and the unisex sizes on offer are available in a range of 6 striking two-tone colorways.

VWU’s Sports socks are another brilliant budget pick in terms of bang-for-your-buck, with 3-packs, 4-packs, and 6-packs available, with the latter selling for as little as $22. All of these socks sport a variety of snazzy high-contrast designs, which make them great socks for cycling in low-light conditions, and they’re built with breathable Chinlon fabric and durable gauze padding sure to keep your feet comfortable all day long.

The low-cut Elite Ultra Light from Feetures are some of the best cycling socks for those who prefer a low ankle cut. Available in 8 colorways, they both look and feel great, thanks to a no-show heel tab with a cushioned cuff and thin cushioning throughout the rest of the sock. With a custom-like fit and a stretchy nylon build, they’re an excellent choice for any amateur cyclist, and they’re stocked in both men’s and women’s sizes.

Danish Endurance is well known for its wide range of adventure and mountaineering gear, and they also sport an excellent selection of cycling socks. Their signature version seen here is available in unisex sizes, either as a mixed-colorway pack or a black cycling socks 3-pack, and they’re both simple and affordable. They’re constructed with breathable Prolen fabric in a mid-ankle cut. They contain anti-friction padding in key areas, ensuring the comfort and health of your feet even after a long and tiresome journey.

If you’re looking for some fantastic, funny cycling socks, you won’t do much better than Lin’s CoolMax cycling socks. This epic 3-pack contains spooky spider, scary skeleton, and laidback lizard patterns that both look cool and feel cool thanks to their mesh venting. They all have a large Y-heel design for supreme stretch and a hidden toe seam to prevent rubbing on the go, but most of all, they’re just for fun rather than anything too technical.

Here we have another great pair of socks from Giro in the form of their Racer High Rise socks, which, thanks to their high 6” cut, aren’t just great racing socks but are also great cycling socks for winter use. They’re constructed from a mixture of polyester and Elastane for a nice bit of stretch and designed primarily to be used for trail riding in rough conditions. Many of the 15 colorways on offer have unique and eye-catching patterns; my personal favourite is the Midnight Blue Horizon style, which blends contrasting magma lines with a deep navy blue weave.

DeFeet’s Aireator Townee socks sport a nice mid-ankle cut with a unique bicycle emblazon sure to turn a few heads on the road. They have a lovely contrasting yellow on blue colorway, and on the foot of the sock, you’ll find a large mesh built-in for increased breathability. The nylon/cotton build also helps to wick moisture on the go, and the Aireators are shrink-resistant, too, so you can wash them frequently without worry.

If you’re hitting the hills and valleys aboard your bike and need a pair of socks that can splash through a puddle or two without too much trouble, then Sealskinz’ Waterproof All-Weather socks are the perfect pick for you. They’ll keep off the rain with ease thanks to their sturdy 3-layer construction, with a merino wool lining designed to aid in moisture control, comfort, and insulation. They’re great for winter wear as well as wet-weather riding and come in 3 classy two-tone colorways.

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