The strategically placed seams and the slim fit contribute to making the Tikse very flattering if you want to wear it on its own, and it comes in fun colors, too. If you need to stay warm during a series of high-intensity efforts, look elsewhere. It’s the Merino wool in this jacket that makes it an attractive purchase. On many winter rides, the degree of your enjoyment and excitement comes down to one very simple thing: keeping your toes warm. But losing weight can make just as big or a bigger difference to your power to weight ratio. And though the sock wicked moisture fairly well, it felt heavy once our shoes became inundated with rainwater. For more information, check out our guide on how to wash merino wool. This sock is designed for support, with a compressive merino wool blend. That helps keep you cozy on cold, damp rides. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. 70% Merino Wool, 15% Polyamide, 15% Elastane. The stretch resilience helps your socks keep their shape and compression after many washes. Oh, and it’s made in the U.S. of A. When most of us think of winter socks, we envision ones primarily made of wool. After falling head over heel hooks for climbing in a gym in Boston, she moved to Golden, Colorado because “the mountains were calling.” Now Kate spends as much time as possible exploring the crags of the Front Range and beyond, usually with her camera in hand. Keep in mind that many winter cycling socks use a blend of materials to deliver the ideal mix of heat retention, breathability, moisture wicking, compression, and comfort. Find the best Blankets & Throws at L.L.Bean. ... Unisex Men Women Snowproof Breathable Dry Fit Moisture Wicking Hiking Cycling Ski Crew Socks. Paneled Construction Provides a Comfortable & Flattering Fit, Flatlock Stitching on the Seams Prevents Scratching, Offset Shoulder Seams Keep from Rubbing Under a Pack, Droptail Hem Fits Well Under the Hip Belt of a Pack, Body-Hugging Fit Helps Wick Moisture Efficiently, Longer Cut to Stay Tucked in When Layering, Raglan Seam Construction is Comfortable Under a Pack. She’ll climb just about anything, from leading fun sport to projecting boulders to following multi-pitch trad (as long as it’s not slab). 49% Polyester, 38% Stretch Nylon, 7% Tencel, 6% Spandex. And we’re all for whatever extra watts we can get on our winter rides. That meant testing during bone-chilling morning rides and brisk fall afternoons, with the temperature ranging between 30 and 45 degrees. It’s designed to fit fairly snugly, in order to effectively wick away sweat and moisture, yet the gusseted underarm construction doesn’t restrict movement. For more of our top hiking & backpacking gear recommendations, check out these popular articles: Kate is a climber, creator, and community builder. Many top options on the market are a blend of wool and synthetic, but the Everyday Weight Short Sleeve Tee from Seattle-based Wooly Clothing Co. delivers 100% 18.5 micron merino wool. A wool base layer is a key piece of gear for many outdoor adventures, as it wicks away moisture to keep you dry, warm, and comfortable even in adverse conditions. We’ll help you choose the best wool base layers for your next hike or backpacking trip. We tested the Wooleator in temperatures ranging from the mid 30s to high 40s, wearing summer shoes with no covers. Be warned: By far the thickest on this list, it might not fit in some of the tighter cycling shoes. If you’re overwhelmed by your base layer options, don’t worry! Add in a wool midlayer and some wool hunting socks and you’ll be ready for a day in the field. If you’re wearing this base layer on its own, the UPF 50+ sun protection will prevent damage from UV rays. We tested this sock on a windy 40-degree day: Although the thin material didn’t feel as warm as some of the thick, wool options in our test, it kept us warm enough in mid-November. Wool definition is - the soft wavy or curly usually thick undercoat of various hairy mammals and especially the sheep made up of a matrix of keratin fibers and covered with minute scales. The Icebreaker Oasis 200 is a lightweight base layer that is made to handle all the variations in weather conditions you can find in the outdoors. Bottom: A standard cycling Short, or bib will offer enough protection and warmth for a ride in this range. If you’re planning to wear your wool base layer on its own, sun protection is a nice feature to protect your skin. How we test gear. Despite its droptail hem, the Icebreaker 200 Oasis tends to run short through the torso and arms, so it might not be the best choice for taller people. Another reason to go with warmer socks before slipping on booties—you don’t want to needlessly cover up the performance boosting style and design of the best-looking socks. That’s a lot of claimed capability to live up to, so we put the sock to the test in freezing rain. After a few outings, our tester determined it felt about as warm as other merino wool sock of the same weight—meaning it wasn’t warm enough to wear without a shoe cover when the temperature dipped below 40 degrees (despite its middle-of-the-road thickness). Mesh panels provide ventilation where you need it to complement the moisture-wicking capabilities of the merino wool. Available at … Shop for Cycling Jerseys at REI - FREE SHIPPING With $50 minimum purchase. 41% Nylon, 37% Merino Wool, 16% Acrylic, 6% Lycra. Waist hem where the back is longer than the front. And it kept feet mostly dry, only retaining sweat while our tester wore shoe covers. Merino wool clothing, socks, base layers, sweaters, tights, more. This is why cyclists sometimes get obsessed with buying lighter cycling equipment. Now that we’ve (hopefully) sold you on looking good, boosting power, and keeping blood flowing to your toes, you need to find the right pair of socks for your needs. Our tester wore the pair in rainy 35-degree weather and found it to be just warm enough. It also wicked moisture efficiently, thanks in part to a snug, anatomical fit (although our tester noted that the stretchy socks were nearly too snug against his wide feet). If you don’t think polyester can be as cozy and warm as wool, consider one of the fabrics that it’s used to make: fleece. Hands: Finger-less or glove-less is a good way to go with semi-warm temperature. If you’re always going to be wearing your wool base layer under outer layers, then the lack of sun protection won’t be as big of a factor for you. The Inversion also has thumb holes to keep your wrists warm and the sleeves in place. Smartwool’s PhD Cycle became our tester’s new favorite sock. “Holy moly, these are WARM,” our tester said after wearing the Crosspoints on a drizzly 35-degree ride. Overshoes and even winter boots help on the coldest days, but they add bulk and complexity. A wool base layer is a key piece of gear for many outdoor adventures, as it wicks away moisture to keep you dry, warm, and comfortable even in adverse conditions. Wool base layers are almost exclusively made of merino wool, which is much softer than traditional wool, and not itchy at all. Our tester confirmed that the fit was comfortable and snug. In the end, these nine options are best able to help you step up your sock game and keep you warm through winter. Top: A lightweight cycling jersey paired with a cooling first layer works great for this range. The longer cut is designed to provide extra coverage and stay tucked in under outer layers, and the raglan construction with flat seams is extremely comfortable under a pack, since the seams stay out of the way of the shoulder straps so they don’t rub on your skin. 100% Guarantee The 9 Best Socks for Hot Weather #SockDoping, Thin construction, still warm down to 40 degrees, Not suitable when the temperature is 30 degrees or below, During hard efforts, doesn’t wick enough moisture to avoid getting wet and cold. The Cold Weather is quite warm in sub-freezing temperature, but it turns cold after your feet begin to sweat (a problem magnified by wearing shoe covers). Wool base layers range from lightweight to mid-weight to heavyweight, and what you need depends on what activities you plan to do the most – and what climate those take place in. “My feet felt neither warm nor cool,” our tester said. With Merino wool underwear and base layers next to skin, that foundation will help you stay warm and dry. Heavyweight is what you want if you spend a lot of time in the alpine, and lightweight base layers are a good choice if you don’t do a lot of winter sports. (That’s something we absolutely, irrationally believe to be true; some scientists agree, calling the psychological phenomenon “enclothed cognition.”) We have a better word for it: Sockdoping. And despite its waterproof construction, this Showers Pass sock still breathed and wicked moisture rather than trapping it within. Kari Traa is a signature European brand that makes base layers for adventurous, outdoorsy women, and its Tikse wool base layer is an excellent women’s option for both style and comfort. As the name implies, this elastic material adds stretch to your socks. When your alpine adventures bring you outdoors in wintery conditions, the Ridge Merino Inversion is an ideal heavyweight wool base layer to keep you cozy in the cold. Check out our, Reviews - The Best Wool Base Layers for Hiking, THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING WOOL BASE LAYERS, For more of our top hiking apparel recommendations, check out the, Wool base layers are almost exclusively made of, For more information, check out our guide on. The combination is soft, stretchy, and quick-drying, perfect for long days on the bike that call for a little protection from the cool air. The REI Co-op Merino is not the most durable wool base layer, but the price point is good, and as long as you wear it under other outer layers, it should still hold up for many adventures. This wool-blend sock feels stretchy and soft, with extra padding beneath your foot and thinner material above it. Midweight is the most versatile, since it can stand on its own even in somewhat chilly conditions, yet can also be paired with heavier outer layers for colder excursions. You can see our top five options below, then keep reading for in-depth reviews and advice on how to find the right pair for your winter-riding needs. Curbside Pickup Available NOW! “I really didn’t think about them much, which tells me they were warm enough.” Post-ride, the sock revealed no moisture after we pulled it off—evidence of effective wicking. Socks made from polyester are typically softer than those made of wool and wick moisture just as well. The Tikse features 4-way stretch, providing full range of movement without restriction, so you’ll hardly notice you’re wearing this base layer. Bicycling participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Wool. When not done well, wool can feel scratchy and be bulky—not what you want when your feet are stuffed into cycling shoes for a few hours. Merino wool is also extremely resistant to odor, so you can wear it for days on end if you’re backpacking or on a long adventure. A lighter cyclist who can put out raw high wattage numbers is going to go a lot faster. It’ll be your go-to warm layer from early spring to late fall, and will even keep you warm in cooler winter conditions. 35% Elastane, 30% Merino Wool, 30% Polyamide, 5% Polypropylene. How to use wool in a sentence. There’s good reason for that: Historically, it was the … To take advantage of the moisture-wicking capabilities of wool, the base layer needs to be snug-fitting and lay close to your skin. We distributed them to our crew of testers so we could get a range of perspectives on the warmth, comfort, and moisture-wicking abilities (and, of course, style). Here’s what to expect from each of the most common sock materials: When most of us think of winter socks, we envision ones primarily made of wool. The REI Co-op Merino is a midweight base layer that performs well without breaking the bank. But unlike wool, they lose some of their insulating prowess when wet, which makes them less than ideal on rides that will be both cold and wet. Pre-Shrunk Merino Wool - Merino Wool is the finest quality of easy care wool for exceptional warmth and softness. The drop tail hem is designed to fit comfortably under the hip belt of your pack. Outer: 89% Nylon, 7% Lycra, 3% Spandex, 1% Polyester | Lining: 81% Coolmax, 16% Polyester, 2% Spandex, 1% Nylon. Constructed from panels with flatlock stitching, the long-sleeve crewneck features a flattering fit with seams that stay out of the way under the straps of a pack. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Seams created without overlapping the fabric, so they are less bulky and not prone to scratch or chafe. With the right layering, you can build a solid foundation for all day performance. We tested it in 40- and 50-degree weather, which seemed to be the thin sock’s ideal temperature—it excelled at wicking moisture during hard efforts, although didn’t seem like it would be enough for sub-freezing days. Power to weight ratio is very important in cycling, as it is in running. Nylon doesn’t absorb much water and repels wind efficiently, making it an ideal outer layer. Our tester said the Woolie Boolie (in the grid above) is the better choice for truly frigid days, but the lighter Wooleator is plenty for rides when the temp’s above freezing. Many sock makers, like Smartwool, add it to the weave of sock fibers to increase strength. But it fit comfortably, wicked moisture almost as well as our tester’s favorite sock—Bontrager’s merino wool version—and looked sharp (although you can’t have it in all black). 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Of course, you still want full range of movement when you’re exploring outside, so look for incorporated stretch and gusseted seams that won’t restrict motion. We tested this sock on mid-20-degree rides with shoe covers and in the high 30s sans shoe covers. Made of Merino wool, polyamide, and polypropylene, the ultrafine fibers in this winter cycling jacket keeps your body warm, but not too warm as you crank out the miles on a chilly winter day. This base layer can be machine washed without worry about shrinking, yet it also can be worn on long adventures without starting to stink. Most cyclists know this synthetic by the more common fabrics it’s used in: Lycra and Spandex. We found strengths and weaknesses. Merino is the wool of choice for base layers, since it is superfine and soft without being itchy like traditional wool, and it absorbs sweat without starting to smell. There can be downsides, though. Some base layers are rated as high as UPF 50+, while others have no sun protection. The cold season is upon us, so we tested socks to help your feet stay toasty. Start with choosing the best material. The Cascada Land Wool Shirt is by far the most comfortable flannel I’ve worn. We rustled up around a dozen socks of varying thicknesses and subjected them to the weather during eastern Pennsylvania’s slide into the wintertime freeze. As with any article of clothing, fit is important for comfort, but with wool base layers, it is also important for performance. It stayed warm on a rainy 40-degree ride as the wool-nylon blend wicked moisture and prevented feet from getting damp and clammy. A triangular piece of fabric is sewn into the underarm to provide more mobility and less stress on the seams. The Everyday Weight Short Sleeve Tee is a versatile piece of foundation wear, equally comfortable as a standalone shirt or a base layer. Although the name suggests a wool construction, it’s actually 77% polyester and 16% wool, with 7% elastan for some stretch. It also wicks moisture away from your skin, and because it retains a small amount of that moisture in its fibers, it can actually cool you down when you get warm. There’s also a tall, 8.5-inch cuff and a reinforced toe box, so the sock should last for thousands of miles. The most effective first resort when temps dip below 50 or so, depending on your own physiology and fortitude, is to grab a pair of winter socks, made of wool or other insulating fabrics. Comfortable, durable for running, hiking, cycling, daily use. And during a few fall rides, he reported that the sock was warm enough, except for the occasions when his feet got sweaty from hard efforts and his sweat then cooled (which might not be an issue on colder rides). For more of our top hiking apparel recommendations, check out the Best Base Layers. REI has a great guide on how to choose a base layer, as well as when to wear your base layers. Sewn holes in the sleeves for your thumbs which provide additional wrist coverage and keep the sleeves from shifting or rolling up under other layers. The natural fiber is common in winter apparel because it’s highly insulating, absorbs water without feeling soggy, and has natural moisture-wicking properties. The eight-inch cuff stayed in place after a few washes, and the arch felt supportive. Ridge Merino is a small business that sustainably sources its materials, so you can feel good about where the wool that keeps you warm comes from. Merino is the wool of choice for base layers, since it is superfine and soft without being itchy like traditional wool, and it absorbs sweat without starting to smell. It’s breathable and wicks moisture but doesn’t insulate as well as wool or polyester, so most sock manufacturers only use it sparingly—typically it composes less than 10 percent of a blended fabric. If you’re overwhelmed by your base layer options, … You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Butcher Grid Trail T9 Tires: Ridden and Reviewed, The 11 Best Bike Saddles of 2021 (So Far), The Best Wireless Earphones for Your Next Workout, This Is the Best Power Meter for Most Cyclists, Your Next Cycling Computer Is the Karoo 2, 45 Essential Cycling Gifts You Can Buy on Amazon, Be An Instant Badass With Roka x Machines Shades, 8 Great Gloves for Riding in Cold Weather. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. The lightly insulated version of Giro’s skin-hugging, sweat-wicking HRc Team sock, the HRc+ Merino Wool delivers all of the same high-performance moisture management with a bit of extra warmth. The Smartwool Merino 250 is an excellent base layer choice for wearing underneath other layers on cold adventures or simply wearing on its own around town or for a quick trail run on cooler days. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Want to learn more about a technical term? Sealskinz constructed this sock with a three-layer system—comprised of a nylon outer, a hydrophilic membrane, and a wool-blend interior–to repel moisture while keeping your feet dry and warm. There’s good reason for that: Historically, it was the most popular material, and many current socks still use it. There is only as small amout of weak elastic at the top of the sock. This top is easy and comfortable to move in, thanks to underarm gusseting, and the offset seams at the shoulders won’t get irritated under a heavy pack. Plus, it also offers some UPF protection for those sunny days as well. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Another synthetic material (both polyester and nylon are derived from petroleum), nylon can be soft, stretchy, and durable. This base layer features flat seams to avoid chafing and scratching, and the merino wool fabric is soft and not itchy. Soft, breathable merino wool makes the women's REI merino midweight base layer top an ideal first layer for high-performance cold-weather activities. Our high quality home goods are designed to help turn any space into an outdoor-inspired retreat. That said, the sock performed well during easy and wet rides in the cold. This sock has a three-layer construction to repel water while keeping your feet toasty: A tough nylon knit outer layer lends durability, a waterproof-breathable membrane keeps moisture out while allowing some breathability, and a soft liner provides warmth and comfort. That’s right, these synthetic fibers can be spun into one of the warmest, most insulating, and softest materials used in winter gear. 37% Nylon, 30% Wool, 30% Repreve Polyester, 3% Spandex. Outer: 90% Nylon, 10% Elastane | Lining: 35% Merino Wool, 35% Acrylic, 23% Polyester, 3.5% Elastane, 3.5% Nylon.