These days, it’s easy to overlook socks, the unsung hero of foot coverings, protecting our feet from the effects of low temperature, perspiration, abrasion, and any number of podiatric discomforts. Most of the time, little to no thought is placed on what sort of sock will be worn for a day’s ride, with whatever sock that happens to be on top of the clean (or less dirty) laundry pile being the chosen pair. However, for the sake of journalistic integrity and for the benefit of our readership, I have taken a decidedly critical view on socks in an effort to provide the most helpful assessment of the mountain biker’s sock options.
Photo Credit : Andrew Holman
Up for review are a pair of Alpinestars’ woolen winter socks, which I have worn and tested through the whole gamut of Alaska’s harsh winters. Whether riding through unseasonably warm temperatures reaching 40 degrees Fahrenheit or temps dipping as low as 20 below zero, through days both dry and water-logged, I subjected my lower extremities to a host of trying conditions to determine whether these socks are worth a spot in your top drawer.
The Alpinestars winter sock sports a fairly-traditional design: simple black, with few embellishments, aside from the prerequisite branding and a dash of gray striping to keep things visually appealing.
However, most riders won’t spend much time shoegazing and are more interested in the performance of the sock. Thankfully, the wool blend proved quite effective at keeping my feet dry and comfortable in a wide range of conditions. The Alpinestars sock provides a reassuring amount of pressure on my size 8.5 (41 for the European sizing-inclined) foot and skinny man calves, never sliding south or bunching up, unlike many lesser socks that I have used in the past. With a 3/4 length cut, it’s not quite an ankle sock, but also not a full-on tube sock, so you can certainly sport them whilst wearing shorts and not look like a total goof, which is a critical measure for image-conscious riders everywhere.
Photo Credit : Andrew Holman
Performance-wise, I found my feet happily devoid of moisture, even after 60+ miles of winter riding through slush and snow. Even with several immersions in frozen puddles, I can happily report that this writer still proudly owns all 10 toes and never even flirted with frostbite.
However, there is definitely a range in which these socks are most effective. When the mercury moves to the nether regions of the thermometer, longer distance rides may become uncomfortable unless you happen to be wearing heavier-duty winter riding boots. With my old, tattered pair of Northwave winter mountain biking shoes (circa 2001), I found the lower limits of comfort to be around 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Much lower than that, I found myself wishing for the ride to be over and to be in front of a warm fire with cocoa in hand. On the upper end of the spectrum, I found my feet feeling a bit swamped around 50 degrees. Of course, as with all things comfort-related, your mileage may vary, but for the sake of comparison, this reviewer’s body is a bit of a furnace and I tend to feel comfortable at temperatures lower than what most people would be willing to experience.
Also, your choice of footwear will play a huge role in determining how cozy your feet will be while riding. As mentioned previously, I tested these socks using an older pair of mountain bike shoes that have very little in the way of insulation, but I still had a predominantly positive experience.
In a hobby filled with high-end, sexy, go-fast parts and accessories, it’s easy to overlook the humble sock. In fact, I thought very little about what benefit a pair of socks could have on my riding experience. Now after a season testing Alpinestars’ offering, I think even less about it, because it’s a bit of a no-brainer. With such a comfortable fit, a wide range of temperature performance, and high-quality feel, I find myself passing over many of my older socks (apologies and condolences to my old pairs, you’ve served me well) when it comes time to assemble my riding kit. Whether in the market for replacing old, bombed out socks, or if you’re a discerning rider who wants only the finest fabrics interacting with their feet, it would be in your best interest to pick up a pair or two of Alpinestar’s socks.
MSRP: $12.95
Thanks to Alpinestars for providing the wonderful wool winter socks for review!
To see more photos of things other than socks from Andrew Holman, check out his site at AndrewHolmanPhoto.com
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