I’m working up my holiday gift guide for cyclists, and I wanted to make a quick mention of socks for cooler weather use. This is an update of an review I wrote in 2005.
Smartwool socks
Smartwool socks seem to be universally endorsed among experienced winter cyclists. The New Zealand merino wool used in Smartwool socks is extremely comfy, the socks are reasonably priced and the company is based in Colorado.
I own several pairs of Smartwool socks and I also recommended Smartwool socks enthusiastically. In the summer, I hiked and climbed mountains wearing these socks. In the winter, I hiked, snowshoed, and rode my bike in these Smartwool hiking socks.
The two bottom photos to the left shows two pairs of my Smartwool hiking socks after two years of this use.
I no longer own Smartwool socks because they became unusable after four or five years. This is maybe reasonable for heavily used socks, but I’ve found something better.
Bridgedale socks
Eventually, I asked the local hiking shop for socks that won’t fall apart on me. They recommended Bridgedale socks.
two eight years of use, my Bridgedale socks have held up significantly better than my Smartwool socks. When I originally wrote this review five years ago, there was no hint of sagging in the cuffs. After eight years, the socks are finally beginning to sag a little. The socks fit my feet better, meaning there don’t blister like I do with the Smartwool socks on my peak bagging runs (the discolored areas on the Smartwool socks are blood stains).
Because they’re made of the same Merino wool as Smartwools, the fabric is just as comfortable. The Bridgedale’s are a little bit pricier but the construction and quality are significantly better. Bridgedale socks are a combination of wool and synthetics. I can’t recommend these socks enough.
The top photo shows a Bridgedale Trekker sock after two years of use similar to what I’ve done with the Smartwool socks. There’s absolutely no thinning and the sock fits just as perfectly as when I first bought them.
Funny I saw this today because I was just thinking about wool socks and currently reviewing some. DeFeet socks have been good to me over the years, but I never imagined a sock would still be usable after eight years! Bridgedale wool socks will be my next purchase!
I’ve had a couple pairs of smartwool cycling socks. They have both worn out at the back of the heel after a year of use. I’ve since started wearing their general outdoor sock which are thicker. We’ll see if they hold up.
I’ve had a couple pairs of smartwool cycling socks. They have both worn out at the back of the heel after a year of use. I’ve since started wearing their general outdoor sock which are thicker. We’ll see if they hold up.
Bridgedale also has multisport (running / cycling) socks that are 100% synthetic, but I haven’t tried those.
Sock Guy socks seem to wear out at the tips of the toes. DeFeet socks, the ankle cuffs lose elasticity after a while and get floppy.
• Bridgedale has renamed the Trekker to the “Endurance Trekker.”