Help! I need socks that are slightly thicker/more padded than zocks but good for hot weather. I did a search but found overwhelming preference for Noble Outfitters peddies, which I find too cottony at the bottom and uncomfortable when I sweat. I have a few pair of Tredstep socks from last summer which I love but they don’t appear to be made anymore. I’ve also tried Epona (didn’t like them with sweaty feet) and I ordered a pair of Ovation socks which are back ordered indefinitely. What’s out there that I’m missing?
Smartwool. They wick great in both the summer and winter.
4 Likes
That’s what I wear in the winter and I do love them. Are they really comfortable in the summer? It gets into the 90s here.
I wear them year-round, though wear slightly heavier models in the winter. For summer, I like the light “mountaineering” ones, which have some compression
1 Like
I like the C4 socks - they’re cotton but thin!
I second the Smartwool suggestion, or equivalent REI version! I have several pairs that I bought for the purpose of hiking through the desert and now use for riding year-round (and it gets above the 90s where I am as well). They are more comfortable and hold up better than any of my purpose-made riding socks.
1 Like
Swiftwicks. https://swiftwick.com/products/aspire-twelve
They’re made for runners (I’m in TN and use these for my summer triathlon training). Great compression (no blisters), durable as hell, and fantastic for wicking.
1 Like
Tredstep Pure Air Cool (or the Solo Pro socks) are the BEST SOCKS EVER! They are padded and cushiony where you need it (bottom and sides of foot and ankle), but thin and mesh all along the top of the foot snd calf to keep you cooler.
1 Like
I just wear crew or ankle length cotton socks in summer, as appropriate to the fit of the boot foot. No need for an extra layer up my calf. Sometimes with a tech sock layer to wick moisture.
These are the socks!! Thank you! I couldn’t find them on Dover, Smartpak or the Tredstep website so I thought they were discontinued. I just wish they wouldn’t shrink in the wash.
I’m going to try everyone else’s suggestions as well. I didn’t realize Smartwool had lighter summer options, I’d love something that holds up that well.
^Those or Dreamers and Schemers.
My only complaint about the TS is that I haven’t had the best luck with durability.
The D&S look like Zocks, but they are a bit thicker and they aren’t slippery. Zocks drive me crazy. I love D&S.
1 Like
I love Smartwool for winter but didn’t know they had summer options either. I don’t think they hold up well though, mine always wore holes in the heels whether I used them for riding or just with street boots. Fortunately the shoe store where I bought them had a policy of replacing them if they developed holes or wore out so I just had to bring them in on my lunch hour and swap them out for a new pair.
For summer I just wore any lightweight sock and never noticed any particular problem with sweaty feet or discomfort.
Me too. I was sucked in by the really great patterns but quickly realized that they’re actually very, very good socks!
