Oh, for really warm socks - a pair of which, by pure good luck, arrived at RCUK shortly before the festive break. For the duration of said break, of course, the UK has been in the grip of the coldest winter in 10, 20, 30 or more years, depending on how such things are measured. One thing that is easy to measure in this weather, or at least test, is the effectiveness of cycling socks designed to combat it.
Despite their impressive performance in less challenging conditions, our test Prendas Thermocool socks aren't really up to proper sub-zero riding, which is where the Dorset-based clothing specialists' Thermolite socks come in. Made from DuPont Thermolite Base fibres, they are said to be suitable for temperatures from -6 to 6 degrees Celsius.
Like the hairs making up the fur of polar bears, Thermolite fibres are hollow, trapping extra insulating air. Importantly, this allows the material to be thinner than it might otherwise need to be to provide the same level of thermal insulation. The socks provide a snug fit inside my regular shoes, needing only a slight loosening of the straps to avoid noticeably constricting the blood supply.
A slightly higher cuff ensures that tights will cover them, while reinforced heel and toe sections should add durability. The socks are 'sided' with helpful 'R' and 'L' lettering as well as a size code letter - 'L' in this case - woven into the fabric.
Performance in the current cold snap has been impressive, with feet still warm inside thin Prendas Overshoes after the usual one hour commute even at night. A longer two-hour ride on New Year's Day did result in very cold toes but there is little question that a looser fit inside slightly larger shoes would allow better blood circulation, which is always the problem with wearing thick socks. These are thin enough to get around the problem for the most part, although they are unlikely to work well for anyone who habitually rides in tight shoes.
Prendas Ciclismo Thermolite Winter Sock £7.95. Sizes S/M; L; XL
www.prendas.co.uk
