Cycling is getting a lot of traction in the Philippines. The government has started recognizing its importance in making our economy recover from the pandemic. It has become the safest way to travel in the city with people distanced appropriately for social distancing protocols. One of the few accessories you might need is a pair of cycling socks.
To make your cycling a lot more comfortable, it is best to equip yourself with cycling socks. You may think that using a normal sock is enough, but sometimes using a sock specially made for cycling can do wonders. In this article, we will break down how to choose one and provide a list of the best cycling socks you can buy, so stay tuned!
Most people don’t recognize the importance of a good pair of cycling socks. Cycling socks are specifically built to meet the demands of cycling and make it easier to transfer power with every pedal stroke. It needs to wick away sweat, prevent chafing, make you aerodynamic, and most of all, keep you comfortable.
The most important aspect of choosing the right pair of cycling socks is going over the materials used in its construction. The material properties imbue benefits that make cycling much easier and comfortable. The materials used have undergone a radical change from using natural fibers to the shift to synthetic ones.
The use of nylon has been a pretty common sight in the construction of cycling socks. It has properties that make it easy to wick away sweat from your feet, making it cooler and prevents chafing. A lot of brands use it on their socks and you are assured that your feet will stay cool and dry if your sock is made out of one.
Polyester is a popular material in the world of sports. It is also abundantly used in the construction of cycling socks as it removes moisture quite well. It is also UV resistant, adding another layer of protection to your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Nylon and polyester are often used in conjunction to take advantage of their properties.
Touted for its amazing properties, the Merino wool is what cyclists look for when selecting cycling socks. It is thinner and softer than wool but all-natural, coming from Merino sheep. It helps maintain body temperature while wicking away sweat. It is also very comfortable to wear and resists the development of odors.
Trying to find a sock made purely from it is very difficult as it is costly. What companies do is mix Merino wool with other materials such as nylon and polyester to save costs while incorporating all the good properties of the fabrics.
Lycra is another term used for spandex. Most of the cycling socks available nowadays incorporate Lycra material in their weaving for a stretchable consistency. The use of Lycra is popular as it gives stretch to the cycling socks, and it envelopes the feet and calf tightly, making you more aerodynamic.
Cycling socks come in multiple sizes to cater to the different anatomy of bikers. To have the best experience, the fit must be perfect. They usually come in small, medium, and large and depending on the manufacturer, have different foot sizes for each category.
It is best to choose a size range where yours falls into and choose a smaller sizing if you’re in between sizes. But to get the perfect fit, we highly recommend checking the brand or the seller's sizing information!
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the worldwide governing body for cycling. If you plan on competing in UCI-sanctioned competitions, they require the sock length to be at a certain length, or else you will be disqualified. So choosing a sock that is within the recommended length would be the way to go if you are competing.
If you are cycling recreationally, the sock length won’t matter. You can wear whatever length you choose as long as it helps wick away the sweat and prevents any chafing and sores on your feet. There are no rules to hinder you from expressing yourself, so wear any sock length that you want.
Every improvement matters in the world of cycling. If you want to squeeze every bit of performance enhancement out of your gear, looking at your cycling socks might help you save a bit of energy thus, making you faster.
For better power transfer, cycling shoes are made to be stiff so that no energy is wasted when you pedal. It is designed to fit snuggly so that your foot will not move while wearing the shoe. Therefore, socks must be thin and protective to fit snugly inside the already tight cycling shoes.
It needs to stay put as well while worn. To prevent it from slipping while cycling, there are rubber elastic bands inside the sock that holds it in place. A secure sock leads to less energy dissipated to it slipping, leading to more power with each pedal stroke.
Cycling is a person and his bike, battling the wind. The “thinner” you are as you slice against the wind, the less effort you’ll exert which then makes you faster. You can also become more aerodynamic with the clothing you wear.
Cycling socks incorporate special weaving that lets air pass effortlessly, reducing air friction. Even though it is a small part of your clothing, this helps make you faster even by a bit. At short rides, it might not matter but this adds up as you cycle longer.
Socks with compression qualities help with the blood flow to the legs. For professional cyclists, this matters a lot as their legs can recover faster while being able to ride longer and harder.
Socks go in different compression levels, some negligible while some with enough compression to be beneficial. Aim for compression that is targeted at the cuff and the midfoot.
Every cyclist has their taste when it comes to the design of their cycling socks. They may go for bold colors or simple socks. Some even use the socks to air their opinions or to make a statement. Whatever design you choose, as long as it brings you joy while wearing it, that’s the only thing that matters. So, go wear what you want and flaunt to the rest of the world.
If you bike to work or do it recreationally, having a pair of cycling socks might not be that much of a benefit to you. The features and advantages might not be felt, and it is best to just use your existing socks.
However, if you plan on doing long rides or joining a competition, cycling socks were built with those activities in mind. So internalize what cycling means to you and spend accordingly.
Time to get those leg muscles working on keep the wheel rolling! Below are the top cycling socks that you can get online in the Philippines so check them out and let us know if anything catches your fancy!
**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**
From ₱1,395
Sizes | Small, Medium, Large |
---|---|
Colors | White/Black, Black/White |
Materials | Soft Air Vaporize yarns |
Sock Length | Mid-Length |
From ₱450
Sizes | Medium, Large |
---|---|
Colors | 7 Designs |
Materials | Spandex, Nylon, Polyester |
Sock Length | Middle-Length |
From ₱600
Sizes | Small, Medium, Large |
---|---|
Colors | Neon Yellow |
Materials | 60% Polyester, 6% Nylon, 32% Spandex, 2% X-Odor (polyester) |
Sock Length | Middle-Length |
From ₱1,595
Sizes | Small, Medium, Large |
---|---|
Colors | Cast Battleship, Cast Umber |
Materials | Techno PE VaporRize™ yarns |
Sock Length | Mid-Length |
From ₱957
Sizes | Small |
---|---|
Colors | Magenta Underexposed |
Materials | Meryl® Skinlife yarns |
Sock Length | Mid-Length |
From ₱600
Sizes | Small, Medium, Large |
---|---|
Colors | Black, Navy Blue |
Materials | 62% Polyester, 32% Spandex, 6% Nylon |
Sock Length | Middle-Length |
From ₱350
Sizes | M/L |
---|---|
Colors | Purple/Fuschia |
Materials | TransTextura Plus™ |
Sock Length | Ankle-Length |
From ₱180
Sizes | One Size |
---|---|
Colors | One Design |
Materials | Polyester, Nylon |
Sock Length | Middle-Length |
From ₱150
Sizes | One Size |
---|---|
Colors | One Design |
Materials | Polyester, Nylon |
Sock Length | Middle-Length |
From ₱198
Sizes | One Size |
---|---|
Colors | Pringles Red/Green, Lay's Red/Green |
Materials | Polyester, Nylon |
Sock Length | High-Length |
Image | 1 ![]() Specialized | 2 ![]() 6BySix | 3 ![]() Giant | 4 ![]() Specialized | 5 ![]() Specialized | 6 ![]() Giant | 7 ![]() Liv | 8 ![]() Aspak | 9 Tutok | 10 ![]() Kekexili |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Soft Air Road Tall Sock | Cycling Socks | Illume Sock | Techno MTB Tall Sock | Road Tall Socks – Sagan Collection LTD | Transfer Socks | Festa Socks | Premium Cycling Socks | Good Quality Cycling Socks | Sport Cycling Socks |
Features | Feel Fast and Cool as You Pedal | Improve Your Speed by Being Aerodynamic | An Eyecatcher That Keeps Your Feet Cool | A Pair of Socks to Help Conquer the Mountains | Wear What a Cycling Icon Wears | Attack a Climb While Staying Cool and Composed | A Pair of Cycling Socks Tailored for Women | Feel Revived and Refreshed as You Pedal | A Pair of Cycling Socks to Help You Get Focused | Cycling Socks That Will Keep You Craving |
Price Starts at | ₱1,395 | ₱450 | ₱600 | ₱1,595 | ₱957 | ₱600 | ₱350 | ₱180 | ₱150 | ₱198 |
Sizes | Small, Medium, Large | Medium, Large | Small, Medium, Large | Small, Medium, Large | Small | Small, Medium, Large | M/L | One Size | One Size | One Size |
Colors | White/Black, Black/White | 7 Designs | Neon Yellow | Cast Battleship, Cast Umber | Magenta Underexposed | Black, Navy Blue | Purple/Fuschia | One Design | One Design | Pringles Red/Green, Lay's Red/Green |
Materials | Soft Air Vaporize yarns | Spandex, Nylon, Polyester | 60% Polyester, 6% Nylon, 32% Spandex, 2% X-Odor (polyester) | Techno PE VaporRize™ yarns | Meryl® Skinlife yarns | 62% Polyester, 32% Spandex, 6% Nylon | TransTextura Plus™ | Polyester, Nylon | Polyester, Nylon | Polyester, Nylon |
Sock Length | Mid-Length | Middle-Length | Middle-Length | Mid-Length | Mid-Length | Middle-Length | Ankle-Length | Middle-Length | Middle-Length | High-Length |
Link |
Cycling is fun and you should always challenge yourself to be better. You may see other people riding faster than you but you all started from different fitness levels and what is important is for you to have a plan to get better. Here are 7 steps from Cycling Weekly on how to become a better cyclist.
Slowly practice getting faster by pushing yourself to the limit. You can also improve by changing your technique and taking note of how you could do better body position while you are riding. Watch videos of pro cyclists and emulate them whenever you ride to determine what works for you. Sooner or later, you’ll be increasing your speed 1 kph at a time.
A comfortable cyclist is a fast cyclist. If you have aches and get sore from cycling, it may be that you are incorrectly positioned on your bicycle. Having a proper bike fitting session will help alleviate those pains and make you pedal much more efficiently.
You can also do exercises to strengthen your core. A stronger core means that you will have less pressure on your hands when riding as the core is carrying your weight instead of resting it onto your handlebars. A strong core also translates more power, making you faster.
Find ways to incorporate cycling into your everyday life. The more you cycle, the stronger and more confident you get at it. Try biking to work or to do errands. You can also squeeze in a 1-hour ride to clear off your mind. The more you do it, your body will adapt accordingly, making you stronger each time you ride.
Cycling is a very energy-extensive sport. It requires a lot of calories from your body to be able to pedal longer and harder. It is necessary to feed yourself the necessary nutrients to keep on going. Most newbies fail to do this, leading to a glycogen depletion that renders them unable to continue cycling in a session.
Whenever you are riding, try to bring easy-to-eat food such as energy gels, bananas, and fluids. This can help you refuel easily while you are riding. As you are on your ride, eat every 30 minutes to replenish the glycogen in your body. Hydrate yourself regularly and don’t wait to drink until you are extremely thirsty. This will help you cycle longer.
Completing your first century ride is a daunting endeavor. To complete it, you need to focus on taking your time and eating well. Speed is not important but the will to continue and finish the task you set out to do. You need careful planning to prepare yourself for any scenario.
Put aside a full day to accomplish the feat. Start early to lessen the time exposed to the sun. Once in the ride, focus on maintaining a pace that is sustainable for long periods. The aim here is to finish the 100km and not speed, so try to enjoy the scenery as you cycle. It will be hard but the gratification of finishing it will be a boost to your morale.
Uphills are dreaded by most riders when they are starting their cycling journey. However, going uphill offers the opportunity for you to get stronger. It helps you develop stamina and strength which translates well to your fitness.
It may make your lungs hurt and your legs burn but it will build strength and improve your cardiovascular endurance as well. The hills are your friend.
Having friends ride alongside you is a good morale booster. It makes the experience of riding much more enjoyable. There is also a sense of competition that can push everyone to be better.
Your friends can also encourage you whenever you have a hard time and wait for you if you get dropped. Overall, it is the greatest experience if you can ride together with your closest friends.
Now that you have equipped yourself with a pair of cycling socks, why not complete the attire with a cycling shoe? You can get a bicycle light to improve your visibility on the road or a cycling bag to store more when you are riding. Look below to see our curated lists of the best cycling shoes, bags, and lights to keep you safe while making you enjoy your ride.
Speed and comfort are important in cycling, making you able to push yourself above and beyond your limits. A pair of cycling socks can help make you comfortable while giving incremental gains to your cycling performance. Whatever cycling socks you choose, we hope you always stay safe when riding. See you on the road!
Author: Richard Martin
Like and follow our Instagram and Facebook page for updates!
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Household goods
PC and Cameras
Home Appliances and Electronics
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Smartphones and mobile phones
Mobile data
Investment and asset management
Credit cards and loans
Insurance
Music
Smartphone applications