# Socks for the cold and wet **URL:** \ **Category:** What to Buy\ **Tags:** mountain-bike, bikepacking, kit\ **Created:** [December 23, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/socks-for-the-cold-and-wet/4803 "2025-12-23T16:52:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Matt\_Lind](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/matt_lind/32/1612_2.png) [@Matt\_Lind](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Matt_Lind)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/socks-for-the-cold-and-wet/4803/1 "2025-12-23T16:52:55Z")
Okay, who’s had success with some brand or type of socks on long (I mean long) days in the cold and wet? I have some sealskinz waterproof socks that are good at keeping moisture out, but they’re a little uncomfortable on their own and feel weird, and they’re really heavy. If this is the best option out there I’m okay sticking with it. Anyone have socks they recommend that perform well when wet? In a perfect world I’d be unafraid to wade through a river in freezing temperatures, or at least know I’ve got a good spare to change into when my feet are cold and soaked. ---
**Author:** ![SteveC](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/stevec/32/842_2.png) [@SteveC](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/SteveC)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/socks-for-the-cold-and-wet/4803/2 "2025-12-23T19:14:41Z")
For me long rides in the cold & wet mean winter boots and ski touring socks (mine are smart wool and icebreaker). The construction of the socks is thinner where it needs to be to aid blood flow, and the length seems to do something that no other socks do. I’m not entirely sure why warm calves = warm toes but they seem to work better for me than similar shorter socks. I’ve tried a few waterproof socks over the years and they always felt a bit weird so I’ve opted to get my waterproofing from my shoes ---
**Author:** ![ultrafred](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/ultrafred/32/8095_2.png) [@ultrafred](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/ultrafred)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 7:34pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/socks-for-the-cold-and-wet/4803/3 "2025-12-23T19:34:50Z")
You want something made out of wool. I like Boure and Smartwool ski socks. But yeah, if you’re wading into rivers, I’d also want to carefully consider the shoes as well. Might be worth switching to two bolt cleats or even flat pedals and some proper winter boots. ---
**Author:** ![Matt\_Lind](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/matt_lind/32/1612_2.png) [@Matt\_Lind](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Matt_Lind)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 7:46pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/socks-for-the-cold-and-wet/4803/4 "2025-12-23T19:46:52Z")
Love the idea of ski touring socks - of course as you get further outside typical cycling use cases other sports have probably solved those problems better. Thanks for the suggestion! ---
**Author:** ![Neil\_Buckley](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/neil_buckley/32/5836_2.png) [@Neil\_Buckley](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Neil_Buckley)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 11:25am UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/socks-for-the-cold-and-wet/4803/5 "2026-05-14T11:25:56Z")
Former soldier here. There’s no such thing as fully waterproof socks. They all fail eventually. ---
**Author:** ![Blair\_Cabot](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/blair_cabot/32/6756_2.png) [@Blair\_Cabot](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Blair_Cabot)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 2:12pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/socks-for-the-cold-and-wet/4803/6 "2026-05-14T14:12:09Z")
I find socks and overshoes can only help so much. I’ve more success dealing with cold and wet weather by getting some shoes with built in gaiters, like the Specialized Defroster. ---
**Author:** ![McSmokin](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/mcsmokin/32/4249_2.png) [@McSmokin](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/McSmokin)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/socks-for-the-cold-and-wet/4803/7 "2026-05-15T16:32:22Z")
During my ultra days I ended up using the socks with biggest merino content I could find. Same for gloves. I felt like the wool doesen’t sap away my warmth as much as other materials and dries up way quicker than sealskinz or similar. For the rainiest days I was using plastic bags over the socks. Not that it would keep my feet dry but it helped me to stay warm. ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_Down](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/steven_down/32/6786_2.png) [@Steven\_Down](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Steven_Down)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/socks-for-the-cold-and-wet/4803/8 "2026-05-15T17:38:41Z")
I’m sticking with my knee length SealSkinz after playing with all kinds of supposed waterproof shoes and merino sock combinations. I know they feel a little strange but in my Lake boots (+1 size) they are unequalled for warmth and dryness. ---
**Author:** ![Robert\_Hest](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/robert_hest/32/1419_2.png) [@Robert\_Hest](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Robert_Hest)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 5:52pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/socks-for-the-cold-and-wet/4803/9 "2026-05-15T17:52:46Z")
A vapor barrier as my next-to-skin layer with a wool outer sock has been key for me in the cold and/or wet. I think there is only so much you can do to truly keep feet warm on the bike, but eliminating evaporative cooling is at least helpful.