rsbob 

I know we have a thread on “Thin” wool socks, but how about warm wool winter socks for use in regular cycling shoes (not boots) that are warm to the mid-30s. I am over 6’ and circulation to the extremities is problematic, so warmth is paramount. Not looking for thick bulky boot socks. Ordered a Merino Wool underlayer and the company through in a pair of socks, which are good, but am still looking of a little more warmth without breaking the bank.

RGMN

Unless you sized your cycling shoes for thicker socks all they will do is make your feet colder. You would be better off with the thin wool socks and insulated shoe covers than a thicker sock. If you can get a thicker sock in your shoe without it restricting the blood flow I like these Swiftwick wool socks. I have several pairs that I use mostly in warmer skiing conditions but they work well for cycling as they aren't too thick. I have some Smartwool socks that are incredibly warm but they are way too thick to use in my cycling shoes.

Canker

I have smartwool socks as well but like rgmn said you don't want your shoes to be too tight with them. If you want to go cheap you can try chemical toe warmers and taping over the vents in your current shoes. The real solution is winter biking shoes, the think wool socks, and if it is really cold also the chemical toe warmers. I have bad circulation in my feet and they freeze in the winter so years ago I broke down and spent the money on some lake cx145 and those were a huge improvement.

rsbob 

Ordered a pair of Swiftwicks and a pair of Merino Perls as a trail. I do have insulated toe covers and full neoprene booties. Thanks for the rec.

Lombard

I have found PEOPLE SOCKS work best for me in cooler weather. Good balance between added warmth and not too bulky. Available in different heights too:

https://www.peoplesocks.com/

I have also found they wear much better than Smart Wool. Smart wool didn't last.

CAT7RDR

Defeet Woolie Boolie are my only pair when riding in the mountains in winter.
They are thick wool so you might try one pair before ordering a bunch for shoe fitment.

JohnDThompson 

I haven't tried peoplesocks, but I agree with your assessment of Smartwool. Out of all the brands I've tried (REI, Darn Tough, Wright Sock), Smartwool seems the least durable.

alcjphil

One little trick that I learned years ago is to wrap a piece of paper towel over your toes before inserting them into your shoes, Sounds silly I know, but in temperatures where they would be freezing my toes stay toasty warm

Lombard

Hmmm. It might be that works because the paper towel absorbs excess sweat away from the socks. I can't imagine that's very comfortable, but it doesn't seem to bother you.

rsbob 

Going to give that a shot just for fun. Thanks (need to do it now before I forget)

chaadster

If they’re not electric, they’re rubbish.

Seriously.

rsbob 

I know that’s true about e-bikes, but what about socks?

chaadster

Well there are rubbish e-socks, so you wanna make sure to get the ones with heating elements both atop and below the toes.

I paid about $90 for mine, off Amazon, and they’ve proven to be the best, most game-changing bit of winter kit I’ve ever had.

rumrunn6

care to share a link?

rm -rf

Add sock liners from REI. These are very thin, wicking socks.

I sized my nice Lake shoes a bit big when I got them a few years ago. I wear wicking midweight socks and these liners even in the summer. The socks make the shoes fit correctly, but still have insulation loft. I needed the extra padding over my old foot bones and joints.

I never notice that they seem too hot even on sunny hot summer days. Kind of surprising, I suppose.

Lombard

I have found that sock liners are restrictive of movement and therefore make the problem worse. But that's just me.

Lombard

Now that has me thinking about riding in even colder weather since it's my toes that are the limiting factor. Here are some reviews I'm looking at:

https://skiersguild.com/best-heated-socks-for-skiing/

Yes, I know they say they're for skiing, but no reason they wouldn't work for cycling in colder weather.

staehpj1

My experience may not be completely relevant since I don't have the circulation issues you mention at least not to the feet, but...

I find that I can just ride in the same relatively thick poly socks and shoes as in summer with plenty of mesh until it gets pretty cold, well below freezing. When it does become an issue it is due to windchill so I find that shoe covers or booties are the ticket, not different shoes or socks. Neoprene booties (like wetsuit material) also do add a bit of insulation, but blocking out the wind is the biggest goal.

Here in Tallahassee I seldom need to deal with below 20F and even that is only a few times per year if at all, but when I lived up north I rode wiith that approach wound to zero F and below not always even bothering with the shoe covers for trail riding on single track if the speeds were low.

Oh, btw, I think that avoiding too tight shoes is pretty important and can be a bigger deal for those of us with wide feet. I love my Sidis in the Mega models. If you do decide to go with really thick socks you may need larger wider shoes for your winter riding.

chaadster

https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Rech...d_i=B07VFQRK1L

chaadster

Yeah, I think they’re all quite similar. I chose the ones I did, Day Wolf, primarily because their product description was thorough and told me what I wanted to know, particularly with the upper and lower heating element placement. I also didn’t much care about remote control; I’ve learned that the low setting is enough for me inside my Northwave Celsius Arctic winter cycling shoes.

Lombard

Only available in small and medium - Blahhh!

I don't care much about techie stuff either. I saw some that you can even connect to your smartphone with an app. TMT - Too much technology!

Amazed how many of these have cotton in them. First rule about cold weather sports clothing - NO COTTON!! Would be nice if they had some in crew length too. These all look very high.

Brocephus

For some reason, I dont like riding road bikes in the cold, preferring one of my hybrids. They seem to be more suited to wearing relatively bulkier clothing, plus they both have flat pedals, which I ride with some kind of regular athletic shoe, so I can wear almost any socks I like, including heavier wool socks. Seems to work out pretty well.

chaadster

No cotton was a pre-req for me, too, and another reason I chose the ones I did. And yes, the sock heights are taller than I’d prefer and make suiting up a little more, um, particular. But not having cold feet on the ride is well worth it!

biker128pedal

Pearly’s when it gets real cold.

https://www.pearlyspossumsocks.com/

l3m4nt

When it's freezing I just take my snowboarding-socks