The best cycling socks for summer help you keep your cool in the hottest weather, stay neatly in place all day long and keep odours at bay, all while looking great too. But is there more to summer cycling socks than meets the eye? Sure is!
From the racer’s choice of aero cycling socks to lightweight summer cycling socks for long climbs in the heat and gravel-specific cycling socks that use a reinforced design for enhanced durability off-road, there are a few things to think about when it comes to choosing the best summer cycling socks for you. And that’s without even mentioning sock height or colour.
In this guide, you’ll find our pick of the best summer cycling socks of different types, as well as some buying advice lower down the page to help you work out which will work best for you and your ride.
Related questions you can explore with Ask Cyclist, our new AI search engine.
Best summer cycling socks
- Rule 28 Aero Socks
- Castelli Fast Feet 2 Aero Socks
- Rapha Lightweight Socks
- MAAP Alt Road Trail Socks
- Van Rysel Summer Road Cycling Socks 900
- Cafe du Cycliste Tie Dye Socks
- Isadore Signature Climber’s Light Socks
- Universal Colours Mono Summer Socks
- Endura Pro SL II Sock
Keep reading for more details and buying advice for summer cycling socks.
Why you should trust our advice
Socks are often touted as a bit of a bum present or boring part of an outfit, but here at Cyclist, we couldn’t disagree more. After years of testing different types of cycling socks, we certainly appreciate a pair of high quality, sweat wicking, durable and stylish socks; a world away from the disappointment of saggy, snaggy and smelly ones.
Just as a lot of tech goes into making the best cycling clothing for each season and discipline, so too does attention need to be paid when it comes to cycling socks. Our experienced team of riders know their lightweight climbing socks from odour-resistant merino designs and race-ready aero socks.
Best cycling socks for summer: Cyclist's picks
Rule 28 Aero Socks
RRP: £28 | View offer
- Aerodynamically optimised cycling socks for racing
- UCI legal height
- Wide calf gripper
The latest iteration of Rule 28’s market-changing aero offering that was launched in 2017, the Rule 28 Aero Socks are worn both on the road and track and at the highest level of the sport, with a calf length that complies with UCI sock height rules.
The socks are available in four size ranges; UK 3.5-5, 5.5-7, 7.5-9.5 and 10-12, and either black or white colourways. To help keep them perfectly in place, the aero socks use a 4cm wide gripper at the calf.
Rule 28 claims a 12 watt saving at 45kmh by using their aero socks compared to standard cycling socks, based on its own wind-tunnel testing data.
If you’re looking for something a little jazzier, a couple of extra pounds can buy you the same socks with a colourful oil slick design.
- Buy now from Rule 28 (£28)
Castelli Fast Feet 2 Aero Socks
£37 | View offer
- Aero socks designed for warm weather
- Foot portion uses Castelli’s lightweight Rosso Corsa design
- Ribbed leg portion the same as Fast Feet 2 TT Shoe Cover
Recommended for road racing, or instances where you can’t use Castelli’s Fast Feet 2 TT Shoe Covers, Castelli claims that these aero socks save 2 watts at 50kmh.
The socks are designed for use in temperatures between 10 and 30°C.
Available in black or white and three different sizes (suitable for EU shoe sizes 36-47), the Fast Feet 2 Aero Socks combine the foot portion of the Rosso Corsa socks, with a perforated upper for improved airflow and sweat wicking, and the aero ribbed leg portion of the Fast Feet 2 TT shoe covers.
At the calf, a polyurethane grip strip on the inside of the sock helps to anchor it in place.
Rapha Lightweight Socks
£18 | View offer
- Mesh knit for hot weather riding
- Tactel yarn helps maximise sweat wicking properties
Rapha’s Lightweight Socks feature a mesh-like knit that’s designed to enhance breathability for the hottest, sweatiest summer rides. The mesh extends over the top of the foot and up the ankle, while the heel and toe box are reinforced to enhance durability.
The Lightweight socks are constructed with a 50% Tactel, 47% Nylon and 3% Lycra blend, which marries a good level of stretch with good sweat wicking properties to help you stay cool and dry. The Nylon-based Tactel yarn, which is produced by the same company as Lycra, is claimed to dry eight times faster than cotton.
The socks are available in a limited selection of colourways: black, white and navy, and four sizes to suit EU shoe sizes 38-46. Unlike some of Rapha’s other sock offerings, the Lightweight socks are only available in a single cuff length.
- Buy now from Rapha (£18)
MAAP Alt Road Trail Socks
£28 | View offer
- Heavyweight merino wool blend sock for hot, off-road riding
- Recommended temperature range 15-40 degrees Celsius
Not only are the MAAP Alt Road Trail Socks designed for hot weather, but they’re also – as the name suggests – made for off-road riding.
Thinner socks might not always be better when it comes to hotter weather, as these thicker socks use a merino wool blend to help with thermoregulation, as well as being anti-microbial and acting to reduce odour.
This comes in extra handy when you’re riding for multiple days (eg, bikepacking without access to washing facilities), and often generally feel cosier than lightweight synthetic socks.
The material is 80% merino wool and 20% polyamide, engineered with a high pilling resistance, to keep the socks looking good for longer. A lightly padded heel and toe also improve durability and comfort.
Choose between a black sock with grey contrast or an olive sock with orange highlights, in a range of three sizes catering for shoe sizes up to EU45.
- Buy now from MAAP (£28)
Van Rysel Summer Road Cycling Socks 900
£8.99 | View offer
- 20cm high cuff mimics pro cyclist sock designs
- Thin polyamide/elastane knit promotes sweat-wicking and breathability
A fantastic value contender, the Van Rysel Cycling Socks 900 are a synthetic polyamide and elastane blend sock designed for riding in warmer weather. A very thin knit improves sweat-wicking qualities, according to the Decathlon in-house brand, while the elasticated sections help keep the sock perfectly in place from calf to toe all ride long.
These socks were developed in collaboration with Italian production specialist Trerè Innovation and mimic the mid-calf design that is chosen by most pro cyclists. The height of the socks doesn’t vary between sizes, and measures 20cm high.
Choose from six colourways, including black, white, hi-vis yellow, teal, navy and burgundy, and three size options to suit EU shoe sizes from 38-46. Branding is minimal, limited to the underside of the foot.
Cafe du Cycliste Tie Dye Socks
£25 | View offer
- Hand tie-dye design makes each pair unique
- Combination of mesh-knit areas and ribbed sports sock cuff
Cafe du Cycliste’s Tie Dye Socks add some extra style with their hand-dyed design, making each pair unique.
Beyond the pattern, the socks are constructed using a synthetic polyamide/elastane with a ribbed sports sock design on the cuff and thinner mesh-knit areas over the upper foot and ankle. There’s also some reinforcement at the toe and heel for added durability.
Both the yarns included in the knit and the configuration of different areas combine to produce a sock that is both soft and breathable, all while staying perfectly in place, no matter whether you’re taking to the road, gravel or trail.
There’s some branding on the back of the calf, with the Cafe du Cycliste word logo in black.
- Buy now from Cafe du Cycliste (£25)
Isadore Signature Climber’s Light Socks
£20 | View offer
- Prolen synthetic fibre for durability at low weight
- Mesh knit for lightweight breathability
Offered in no less than seven colours, from bright blues, sea greens and earthy tones to standard black and white, the Isadore Signature Climber’s Light Socks are designed for hot weather days on the bike.
The thin mesh knit is constructed from a Prolen/Elastane blend, the former being a synthetic fibre selected for its durability at minimal weight, while the elastane adds the necessary stretch to keep the socks perfectly in place as you ride.
The cuff, heel, sole and toe are reinforced to add arch support and durability where the socks are in contact with your cycling shoes.
There are four sizes available, catering for a wide range of foot sizes, from EU35-50. The colours are also carefully selected to match the brand’s range of lightweight Climber’s Jerseys.
- Buy now from Isadore (£20)
Universal Colours Mono Summer Socks
RRP: £14 | View offer
- Mid-budget cycling socks in colours to suit all tastes
- Recycled fibre content
Offered in a whopping ten colourways, there should be a shade of Universal Colours Mono Summer Socks to suit everyone. The block colour sock features the brand’s logo down the back of the ankle.
While the main body of the sock is a more regular knit, the upper of the foot portion uses a thinner mesh knit construction. The yarn is a blend of Nylon, Lycra and Coolmax Ecomade fibres, designed to be highly breathable but also very abrasion resistant, so they’ll last all season and for many more to come.
If the sustainability of your kit is important to you, you’ll be pleased to hear that the Coolmax Ecomade fibre is produced from pre-consumer waste (ie, a blend of material scraps from the factory repurposed into new yarn).
With three sizes to choose from, the Mono Summer Socks are cut to fit feet from EU38 to EU46+.
- Buy now from Universal Colours (£14)
Endura Pro SL II Socks
£18.99 | View offer
- Synthetic blend construction using soft, breathable Meryl yarn
- Eight colourways to choose from
Constructed using a 85% Polyester, 15% Elastane blend with Meryl Hydrogen yarn, the Endura Pro SL II socks have been designed to be buttery soft against the skin without compromising on breathability. The Meryl fabric technology produces a lightweight sock which also has some resistance to wind and rain; a handy characteristic for British summer cycling!
Choose between two sizes, S/M (37-42) and L/XL (43-47), and from eight colours, including black, navy, pale blue, hi-vis yellow, bright blue, turquoise, bright red and bright orange. Surprisingly, no white.
There’s some branding on the Endura Pro SL socks, with the word logo across the front of the ankle on the mid-calf length cuff.
It’s reassuring to see that Endura backs its summer socks so much that it offers a 90-day no-quibble satisfaction guarantee.
What are the different types of summer cycling socks?
Believe it or not, there are more than one type of summer cycling socks, and the type that’s best for your ride will depend on the weather conditions, type of ride and personal preferences.
Regular summer cycling socks tend to feature an opaque knit and are often available in a range of colours and designs. These are thinner than winter cycling socks, and don’t have the same thermal or water resistant properties.
Lightweight summer cycling socks feature a more mesh-like knit, designed to enhance sweat-wicking properties for the hottest of days and longest of climbs.
Some summer cycling socks feature a blend of man-made and natural fibres, such as merino, to help with odour control and thermoregulation.
Gravel-specific socks might sound ridiculous, but they can actually offer some handy features for the off-road discipline. Thicker, reinforced toe boxes and heels help to resist the rubbing that hike-a-bike can cause, while the inclusion of natural fibres can help when riding for multiple days, for example while bikepacking.
What is the ideal summer cycling sock length?
There is no perfect sock height; the choice is personal preference. You’ll notice most pro cyclists riding a higher cuff sock, extending to just under the calf.
However, if you’re keen to minimise tan lines for your off-the-bike life, then a shorter ankle sock might work better for you.
If you have longer legs and are looking for a longer sock, then some brands such as Rapha offer a longer fitting option.
Are there any differences for summer cycling socks designed for road and gravel cycling?
While most socks can be worn for either road or gravel, some designs feature enhanced materials for the rigours of off-road cycling.
Gravel-specific cycling socks with a thickened heel and toe box can help resist rubbing from hike-a-bike sections, while a more robust knit can help avoid snags from brambles or other overgrowth that you’re much less likely to encounter while riding on the road.
From a practical standpoint, you may also find less pale coloured socks for gravel riding; a darker colour can help prevent staining from unexpected mud or puddles!
What are the best colours for summer cycling socks?
Again, the best colour for summer cycling socks is largely down to personal preferences. Current pro cycling trends seem to show most riders opting for a sleek white shoe and white sock combo throughout the year, but if you’re trying to keep your own socks and shoes white through the winter you may have other ideas.
There are lots of jazzy colours to choose from when it comes to summer cycling socks, which are just as much a part of any cycling outfit as the rest of it. There’s a popular Instagram hashtag #sockdoping for a reason…
If you do a lot of off-road riding, coloured or darker socks may be a more practical option for avoiding stains.
What are aero cycling socks?
Aero socks are tall-cuffed cycling socks designed to be as slippery as possible; that is to minimise aerodynamic drag, just like a well-fitted skinsuit.
Aero socks launched onto the scene in 2017, and have since been well-adopted by pro cyclists and some amateurs alike.
Aero cycling socks tend to be more expensive than standard cycling socks, though there are now a range of brands – small and mainstream – that offer them.
When would you need aero cycling socks?
Aero cycling socks offer the biggest watt savings when riding at higher speeds, so if you’re going for a bimble in the lanes then you’re probably better off sticking to your normal socks.
However, if you’re looking to squeeze out every last ounce of performance and are looking for a relatively low cost improvement (compared to aero wheels and helmets), then aero socks may be for you.
To give you a bit of an idea of potential savings, Rule 28 claims that its socks can save 12 watts at 45kmh.
Looking for something warmer? Check out our buyer's guide to the best winter cycling socks.
