Summer cycling socks are probably something you don’t think about much. I doubt if most cyclists could even tell you what brand of sock they wear. While you might not get excited talking about socks, your feet will thank you if you wear quality socks instead of the ones you purchased from the close-out table at the bike shop.
DeFeet Aireator Hi-Viz Yellow Cycling Socks
DeFeet, a North Carolina based company, has been making quality socks for nearly 20 years. Their Aireator socks are so extremely breathable that they are the only ones I wear during the summer months. Even on long rides in hot and humid weather I have never felt like the Aireator socks were damp. These socks are made of 60% nylon, 39% CoolMax EcoMade yarn, and 1% lycra.
While DeFeet makes cycling socks in all sorts of colors and patterns, I prefer the hi-viz yellow because they increase my visibility to cars coming up from behind me. There is something about the movement of socks as you pedal that makes them stand out better than anything else during daytime rides. I’ve even had motorists pull up next to me at stop signs and say they saw me over half a mile away just because of the socks!
DeFeet Aireator socks retail for around $10 a pair. In the past few years I have purchased about a dozen pair of these socks from Performance Bicycle, but they are not always available, so if you can find them buy several pairs while you can.
