Best cycling socks: the coolest designs that will turn heads

Best cycling socks
(Image credit: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Cycling socks are the best, easiest and cheapest way of expressing your personality while pedalling around town, country lanes and up and down hills.

Summer is when most of us are out on the road for longer rides, and as there's no bib tights to hide away your choice of socks, you need high quality socks that also look the part.

Some brands tend to use funky designs, while others go big and bold with their colour schemes.

We recognise that a lot of these designs and colour schemes are hit and miss and so we have also included links to the rest of the range by these brands that are known for their cool socks.

With each pair of socks is a ‘Buy Now’ or ‘Best Deal’ link. If you click on this then we may receive a small amount of money from the retailer when you purchase the item. This doesn’t affect the amount you pay.

DeFeet Aireator 6" Barnstormer Ombre cycling socks

best cycling socks

You won't blend into the group ride with these bright neptune and hi-vis yellow ombre socks from DeFeet.This design features in DeFeet's Aireator mesh range of socks which are optimised for ventilation, comfort and versatility. These socks are also eco-friendly as they are made partly from plastic bottles - so you can look cool while helping the environment at the same time.

>>> Hot weather cycling: how to keep cool

Buy now at Wiggle for £17.99

Explore all designs of DeFeet socks here

Assos FASTLANE Rock cycling socks

best cycling socks

Race in the fast lane with these socks from Assos that feature an array of bold arrows in yellow, teal, blue and white.Its seamless construction eliminates irrating seams and the light mesh-like structure is quick-wicking, allowing you to keep cool in the sweltering heat of summer.These socks have a slightly thicker sole to add a touch of cushioning as you drive on the pedals.

Buy now at Wiggle for £13

Explore all designs of Assos socks here

Stance Pile Up Feel360 bike socks

best cycling socks

Stance have a stylish collection of themed socks under their Feel360 bike range. Slither into these comfy medium thickness socks that are a blend of nylon (87 per cent), combed cotten (11 per cent) and elastane (2 per cent).

Buy now direct at Stance for £16.99

Explore all designs of Stance socks here

CHPT3 One More Lap 1.51 cycling socks

best cycling socks

These fashionable socks from Chpt.III have patterns that take inspiration from the data patterns of time, km/h, watts, distance and cadence.The socks have a footbed made from ceramic thread which makes the sock highly supportive and durable.

Buy now at Sigma Sports for £11

Explore all designs of Chpt.III socks here

Ratio Ribbons 20cm cycling socks

best cycling socks

Geometric light grey and white lines cover these socks by Ratio that maximise performance with an artful style - and for a friendly price.These ribbon design socks are made of polyamide (60 per cent), elastane (25 per cent) for fit and polyester (15 per cent) for added comfort and moisture wicking.

Buy now at Wiggle for £6

Explore all designs of Ratio socks here

Primal sharky cycling socks

best cycling socks

Get ready to snap up these killer socks that feature a shark with a moustache - because, why not?With a mix of cotton (70 per cent), polester (10 per cent) and the breathable waterproofing fabric polyurethane (20 per cent), these socks won't chew up your feet but will provide a nice, tight fit.

Buy now at Wiggle for £10

Explore all designs of Primal socks here

Prendas Renelf Retro Coolmax cycling socks

best cycling socks

These striking yellow, retro socks are based on the 1980s Renault Elf team jersey that was made famous by Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond.Stand out with these socks that are made in Italy with Prendas' Coolmax composition, and finished off with a tall 13cm cuff.

Buy now direct at Prendas for £7.99

Explore all designs of Prendas socks here

Stolen Goat Coolmax cycling socks – Brave New World

best cycling socks

The Brave New World design by Stolen Goat has a black base but is lit up with multiple bright, rainbow-coloured stripes.It is part of Stolen Goat's CoolMax range which are blended to be breathable, lightweight and quick-wicking. These socks also have a compressive fit to mould into a comfortable riding experience.

Buy now direct at Stolen Goat for £10

Explore all designs of Stolen Goat socks here

Pongo Black & White Blended cycling socks

best cycling socks

Bright, vibrant colours are not an essential for socks that look cool, and Pongo's black and white blended socks are stylish in a subtle way.The socks feature an anti twist and compression band and have a classic 6" cuff.

Buy now direct at Pongo London for £15

Explore all designs of Pongo socks here

Sock Guy Dinotopia cycling socks

best cycling socks

>>> Seven ways to find great new places to ride

Dinosaurs are pretty awesome, right? This design, therefore, is our pick from Sock Guy's absolutely massive range of cycling socks that are playful with their designs and cater for all interests and personalities.

Boats? Tick. The Devil? Tick. Bananas? Tick. Go hunting, and there's going to a pair that will steal your heart.The Dinotopia socks are part of Sock Guy's crew cuff range that are focused on looking fantastic but also have double stitched heels and toes for added strength and durability.

Buy now direct at Sock Guy for $12.95

Explore all designs of Sock Guy socks here

Sportful Mate cycling socks

 

best cycling socks

The two-tone striped Mate Socks from Sportful come in four different colour combinations: blue/red (pictured above), black/orange, white/grey and orange/red.With a Cupron treatment that prevents the build of bacteria and odours, fresh feet are guaranteed when riding wearing these tasteful socks.

Buy now at Wiggle for £10.5o

Explore all designs of Sportful socks here

Cinelli Caleido Dot cycling socks

best cycling socks

Multi-coloured dots cover these Cinelli socks that are designed to be a comfortable training and racing sock across all seasons.Also available with a purple base, the polypropylene and resistex carbon blend in these socks provides plenty of comfort at an affordable price.

Buy now at Wiggle for £7.06

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Anna Marie Abram
Fitness Features Editor

I’ve been hooked on bikes ever since the age of 12 and my first lap of the Hillingdon Cycle Circuit in the bright yellow kit of the Hillingdon Slipstreamers. For a time, my cycling life centred around racing road and track. 


But that’s since broadened to include multiday two-wheeled, one-sleeping-bag adventures over whatever terrain I happen to meet - with a two-week bikepacking trip from Budapest into the mountains of Slovakia being just the latest.


I still enjoy lining up on a start line, though, racing the British Gravel Championships and finding myself on the podium at the enduro-style gravel event, Gritfest in 2022.


Height: 177cm

Weight: 60–63kg