Words Lester Perry
Images Thomas Falconer
RRP $2975
Distributor Shimano NZ
Socks are often overlooked when it comes to mountain biking attire, but with our feet firmly planted in stiff riding shoes for hours, perhaps they deserve a little more attention.
Bridgedale, a company from Newtownards, Ireland, has been crafting socks for over a century. Their journey began with socks for the army during World War I. Bridgedale’s focus on creating the best outdoor activity socks ensures that they pay meticulous attention to detail.
Bridgedale’s MTB socks are engineered with advanced cushioning strategically placed in key areas. The asymmetric design utilises cushioning in specific areas for each foot, while the Vibration Damping Footbed employs a unique padding to reduce pedal chatter and trail vibrations. Padded zones around the outside of the foot, ankle, and along the Achilles provide additional warmth and impact protection. Bridgedale has even developed a new Underfoot Toe Seam for this range. By moving the toe seam to the underside of the sock, they’ve added extra padding on top of the toes and increased protection against impacts in the vulnerable area.
Bridgedale’s FusionTECH process sets them apart by blending high-quality yarns and materials with the latest knitting technology. This ensures every sock is comfortable regardless of conditions. Summer-weight models use Coolmax for cooling, while Merino wool provides a soft feel, temperature regulation, warmth and anti-bacterial properties. The underfoot toe seam eliminates the cold spot across the top of the toes, an issue with traditional over- toe sock seaming. This choice of materials, construction techniques, and the availability of two different weights, ensure there is a sock in the range to keep your feet comfortable regardless of the terrain or the conditions.
Bridgedale’s new Off-Road Bike socks offer improved performance through enhanced fit and support. Utilising Lycra Sport, they provide a supportive compression fit. A structured Y-Heel band and elasticated arch ensure a close fit, eliminating movement and friction. This additional support and precise fit enhance foot positioning, stability, and balance, leading to greater bike control.
I absolutely dig a fresh pair of socks. The plush feeling wrapping around your foot is so damn luxurious. This was certainly the case when I slipped on a pair of the Bridgedale Midweight merino socks. Initially, they felt great, providing a tangible feeling of support, especially around the footbed. On the bike, the socks offered ample support and stayed up – slipping down is one of my pet hates! After several rides, including a long four-hour pedal, the socks performed well without bunching. This was achieved via the asymmetric foot-specific design which eliminates friction from cycling shoes and provides better protection than a regular sock. The moisture management wicks any dampness away effectively, keeping feet dry in both warm and cool conditions by controlling heat and sweat.
After several washes, the socks have remained in good shape. Another pet hate of mine is how quickly new socks can get destroyed by the washing machine. It’s super annoying when you drop good money on a pair and they end up out of shape after just one or two washes. Bridgedale’s range feels durable and they completely back their products with a Lifetime Guarantee. This guarantee covers any defects in workmanship or materials, reflecting their 100 years of experience in sock-making. Knowing your sock game is dialled means you can focus on your riding experience. Don’t overlook your riding sock drawer – treat yourself to a good pair that’ll last the distance. The only downside is that these socks are quite spendy – but the quality, durability and guarantee makes them worth it. These socks are incredibly comfortable, far surpassing most others in my wardrobe. They’ve been on high rotation during house duties and on most rides – they’re that bloody good!
