Best cycling socks 2024 — treat your feet and turn up the style on your bike rides

These Italian-made Orro Sportive socks fit as well as they look and are very reasonably priced, making them the top choice as far as general cycling socks go. They come in three colours and a wide size range that should fit most.

Orro is a brand more known for its bikes, but over the years it's added a steadily-expanding range of clothing under its own label. Orro doesn't reveal who makes the Sportives but they are made in Italy from all-synthetic fabric: polyamide (which is nylon, essentially) mixed with 15% elastane. There's a stretchy waffle-knit down the shins and a plain-knit at the calf. They have a one-piece construction with the only additions being the dark grey heel and toe pieces and a rectangle of faux-flannel stitched under the ball of the foot.

The stitching at the toe is flat-locked so there are no unpleasant lumps or bumps. Overall, these are a very nice pair of cycling socks and the Orro branding is discreet enough that it won't feel weird wearing them if you don't ride an Orro bike. 

Despite looking like fairly innocuous white socks, these DeFeet Evo Mont Ventoux 6in have some hidden tech and provide very competent performance, even in warmer temperatures. They're not cheap, but as dedicated three-season cycling socks, they're quite impressive.

This pair is filled with interesting features. Perhaps most fascinating is the fabric, which seems softly bumpy initially, but upon closer inspection you'll see it's a series of little woven diamonds. DeFeet calls this a 'Mont Ventoux' grid pattern and it is used 'to create thinner windows that allow sweat vapour to exit more quickly'.

In practice, it works. The downside is that these aren't socks you'll want to keep your tootsies warm come winter - but we have listed good winter socks in this guide so you simply need to look for those. 

In our testing, we were also impressed by the overall support that the Mont Ventoux supplies – far more than that relatively thin construction would suggest. The special grid pattern isn't used entirely throughout and around the mid-foot point there's a more tightly-woven band that offers a spot of compression and feels reassuringly snug around the arches.

The overall feel is snug but certainly not tight, which is no doubt helped by the material's accommodating 50% nylon, 39% polyester and 11% Lycra composition. These are definitely not the cheapest socks out there, but if you like discreet style, these do make a great summer pair. 

Sox Scribble Premium Print Socks are available in many different styles; and although at the time our review was published there were hundreds (and it still says so on its website) at the time of writing there are more like 30 funky designs, but still a wide selection. If you like your cycling socks a little different then Sox socks a great option, and they're not lacking in comfort either. 

The seamless build feels nice on the feet and the fabric is easy stretch, which means they absolutely stay put and the 16cm cuff is great length. 

The Scribble socks are made from medium-weight PolyLon36 fabric, which appears to be a kind of polyester exclusive to Sox. Whatever it is, we found to be of a great thickness for mild to warm days and very breathable, partly thanks to mesh panels on the top. 

The Fluro Wave Merino Socks from This is Cambridge are high wool content socks for chillier days - but because they're not as bulky as many other wool socks, you can fit them in your normal cycling shoes. This does mean though, that they are not meant for deep winter temperatures. 

They have a thick footbed that helps to keep your feet warm and also makes the socks comfortable to wear all day both on and off the bike. Then there is the style. Most merino cycling socks come in rather uninspiring, dark colours, so these This is Cambridge Fluro Wave Merino Socks are something a little different with their bright white and orange colourway, which makes them look cool even off the bike. 

The ReflecToes reflective socks may look like a bit of a gimmick with their reflective detailing, but they are a great idea if you find yourself cycling after dark. Not only are these highly visible, but they also offer great comfort even on long days in the saddle. 

We found there are no irritating seams near the toes and the cuff stays in place with mild compression, creating no pressure points. The yarn used is super soft and feels great against your skin.

ReflecToes uses differing knitting patterns over various areas of the socks, like around the arch of the foot where it says the pattern gives stability, plus there are mesh sections for breathability, which help keep your feet dry on warmer days. Alongside black, these socks are available in this bright yellow or pink, both to aid visibility on the dark roads. 

If you're after some longer cycling socks, these DexShell Wading Socks might be just the thing. The idea is a 'waterproof' knee high – and the result is a perfect way to enjoy more wet, wintry riding, on or off road, in or out of quite deep rivers and bogs. 

DexShell markets the socks as good for 'canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hunting and those activities where there is a need to wade in deep water' and in our testing, we found that well, they are certainly good for outdoor activities. They keep the spray from the front wheel effectively at bay and remain comfortable even on longer riders. The key to keeping moisture out from the socks is the seal at the very top of them, effectively blocking away any spray trickling down your leg. 

 Bear in mind though, that these are quite bulky socks so they might be only good if your shoes can fit them.