Gear

RCUK’s Christmas Gift Guide 2015: socks… everyone loves socks

Everyone gets socks at Christmas, why not make them cycling socks? Here are sixteen pairs for all tastes and budgets...

Turkey, stuffing, sprouts… and socks – Christmas Day wouldn’t be the same without unwrapping at least one new pair of socks.

But that doesn’t mean they have to be a naff, last-minute present. In fact, if you are a cyclist, then there’s little better than pulling on a fresh pair of socks.

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without socks, but why not upgrade that gift for cycling socks instead?

There are an array of cycling socks on the market, from the practical to the eye-catching to the, well, just bizarre.

So if you’re short of gift ideas or just want to invest in a little something for yourself, you could do much worse than pick out one of these pairs of cycling socks for Christmas…

Cafe du Cycliste Merino Socks

A seasonal pattern, and a top-class warm, thermal sock for winter riding? What more could you want?

The fine-gauge merino-rich blend from Cafe du Cyclist is said to be made from an ‘anti-blister yarn’ and is also odour-resistant.

The socks are available on their own or in a bundle of three for £37.

Price: £15.50
www.cafeducycliste.com

Rapha Merino Patterned Socks

Rapha say they took their design inspiration from barber shop signs for their Merino Patterned socks, and while that may sound an unusual choice of artistic direction for a cycling sock, the end product is a stylish little number.

They come in several different colourways and are available for £15 each, or you can buy a bundle of three for £35.

Price: £15
www.rapha.cc

Chapeau! Above Ankle Length Socks

Chapeau’s smart Above Ankle Length Socks are available in three colours: hot pink, yellow (which is more like a neon green) and white (with black stripes). The pink socks are our favourites but if you can’t make your mind up then Chapeau are currently offering three for the price of two on all of their lightweight socks.

Otherwise, these socks are made from a blend of polyamide, Coolmax and elastane, which ensures they’re breathable and fast-wicking to keep your feet comfy.

Price: £9.99
www.chapeau.cc

DeFeet Aireator Lion of Flanders Socks

DeFeet have an abundance of socks in their range, from the practical to the garishly eye-catching.

Their longer, Levitator socks for example come in a range of designs, including ninja, skull & crossbones and a hi-vis/neon pattern, each for £11.99.

Our favourites, however, are these Aireator Lion of Flanders socks – perfect for anyone who loves the Spring Classics

DeFeet have forged a reputation as the sock brand of choice for a number of high-profile riders over the years, with the super-light, fast-wicking Aireator’s firm favourites. And clients don’t come much greater than the Lion of Flanders himself – Johan Museeuw.

Price: £9.99
www.defeet.com

Maglianera Caleido Socks

If it’s eye-catching socks you are after, you don’t have to look too much further than these from Maglianera.

Aptly called the Caleido, they will definitely turn heads on the club run with the bright array of colours.

And they come in a handy, resealable waterproof pouch too – so that’s two stocking fillers in one.

Price: £15
www.maglianera.bigcartel.com

Prendas Mapei Socks

Love it or hate it, the jersey of the Mapei team in 1990s has gone down as one of the most iconic of all time – both in terms of the bold design and the famous riders to have pulled it on.

Prendas are clearly in the ‘love it’ camp though, and have used the ‘tutti-frutti’ look as inspiration for their Coolmax Mapei socks.

They’re spring/summer socks, though, and designed to keep you cool in hot weather, so you might have have to wait before pulling them on.

Price: £6.95
www.prendas.co.uk

Castelli Diverso Socks

Castelli offer a wide range of socks and the Diverso socks are made from a fine merino warmth with a little nylon and lycra added in for improve durability and fit.

The argyll pattern is available in a number of fun colours – proof, Castelli say, that cycling socks don’t have to be white.

Price: £17
www.castellicafe.co.uk

Look Mum No Hands! Harlequin Cross Socks

Look Mum No Hands can always be relied upon for great Christmas gifts, with everything from caps to socks, mugs to musettes.

The LMNH Harlequin Cross Socks are a ‘mid-calf length’ (that’s a 17cm cuff, according to LMNH) and are made in Italy from a blend of 65 per cent merino wool, 20 per cent nylon and 15 per cent elastane. They’re £15 each or available as a triple pack for £30.

Price: £15
www.shop.lookmumnohands.com

Morvelo Winter Attack Socks

If you like your socks a little different, but aren’t one for loud designs then Morvelo’s Winter Attack socks might be more your thing.

As ever with Morvelo they’re stylish, and they’re still designed with performance in made, made from a Coolmax fabric and offering low-level compression.

You’ll have to be quick though – supplies are limited at Morvelo HQ.

Price: £9
www.morvelo.com

Sock Guy Ugly Xmas Sweater Socks

Christmas jumpers have gone from novelty gift to Christmas essential, so it’s only natural to include these Christmas lumper socks on the list too.

Sock Guy have plenty of jazzy designs, and are well worth checking out, but if you want a pair of Christmas-themed socks for the club run then these are your best bet.

Sock Guy may have called them the ‘Ugly Xmas Sweater’ socks, but we reckon they’ll have plenty of fans. Available in both red and blue.

Price: £11.95
www.sockguy.com

Vulpine Merino Long Polka Socks

Vulpine are typically stylish when it comes to socks and their polka dot merino socks combine a strong look with performance-minded fabrics.

Available in a number of different colours, they are ideal for casual commuting and will look great off the bike too. The merino blend is designed to be odour resistant, sweat wicking and soft next to the skin.

Price: £20
www.vulpine.cc

Endura Argyll Socks

Endura supplied world number one team Movistar as they rode to the top of the world rankings for the third successive season in 2015 – in fact, you can buy the Spanish team’s replica socks from them if you want.

We prefer the Endura Argyll socks, though. They may look like something you’d wear to the office but are actually from the brand’s Sport Performance range, thanks to the performance-minded fit and fabrics.

Available in three colours – burgundy, hi-viz green and ultramarine (AKA blue) – the come as a twin pack for £12.99.

Price: £12.99
www.endura.co.uk

dhb Flashlight Thermal Socks

Wiggle’s house brand, dhb, offer a wide range of affordable socks – their Aeron Winter Merino Socks are a popular choice, for example.

However, the Flashlight Thermal socks featured here are four pounds cheaper at eight quid and are designed for combating the cold on the daily winter commute.

They work by trapping air in to provide both warmth and comfort without adding any unnecessary weight and are available in three high-viz colourways.

Price: £8
www.wiggle.co.uk

SockMine Minions Tall Socks

The popularity of the Despicable Me and Minions movie franchises has seen the little yellow characters popping up everywhere – including on these cycling socks.

The SockMine Minions Tall Socks are, as the name suggests, long socks and are constructed from 60 per cent Coolmax, 39 per cent Polyamide and one per cent Spandex, and the result is a highly breathable sock to leave your feet feeling fresh.

They may be highly technical but these are certainly socks which will add a bit of fun to your ride.

Price: £12
www.sockmine.co.uk

Northwave Extreme Winter High Socks

New for 2015, Northwave’s Extreme Winter High Socks are a great choice for cold conditions.

Made from a blend of breathable merino, polyamide and lycra, they’re designed to keep your feet warm, comfortable and dry through winter.

Price: £12.99
www.northwave.com

Altura Night Vision Socks

Reflective clothing is very much in for winter 2015/16. Safety-conscious gear is no longer confined to commuter kit, with a range of stylish options aimed at the performance-minded rider.

These Altura Night Vision Socks are available in orange or yellow and have reflective hi-vis detailing. They’re good value, too.

Price: £8.99
www.altura.co.uk