The ride the other day was a true summer day; a large thermometer I saw along the way read 30.8°C, and the sunlight was genuinely painful. And my destination for the day was, once again, Ninose Pass.
Since I left the house as late as 9 o'clock, I was getting a bit worn out by the heat on the way. However, once I reached the pass, I felt the refreshing air, and the cold, pleasant spring water saved both my body and soul. Pouring that cold water over my head and washing away the sweat—how good that feels! It’s nothing short of heaven.
For rides on such hot days, it goes without saying that it's best to wear light, highly breathable items, but even in these conditions, I wear my Quoc Pham Tourer shoes.
A few years ago, when I first started wearing them, I used to avoid riding in Quoc Pham shoes during the summer, thinking they would surely be too hot. But I decided to see if I could make it work, got through last summer, and am continuing to wear them this year without hesitation. Of course, if you ask me if they're hot, they are, but if you choose socks with solid performance features, it’s surprisingly not that bothersome.
So, this time, I’d like to introduce some socks that will keep your feet comfortable even on midsummer rides—they are light, have excellent breathability and moisture-wicking properties, and pair perfectly with Quoc Pham shoes.
Café du Cycliste
Striped Socks ¥2,700 (excl. tax)
Dotted Socks ¥2,700 (excl. tax)
Vertical Socks ¥2,700 (excl. tax)
Café du Cycliste summer socks are characterized by being exceptionally thin and light. One of the pairs I wear often is from this collection, and they truly are comfortable socks that make you forget the heat. Additionally, because of their casual look, they are also recommended for pairing with everyday wear like T-shirts and shorts, as mentioned in our recent human-powered recommendation piece.
TEAM DREAM
Mix Up Socks ¥2,400 (excl. tax)
Save Our Soles
Shade to Grey ¥1,200 (excl. tax)
Ooops! ¥1,200 (excl. tax)
World Champion ¥1,200 (excl. tax)
Punishers ¥1,200 (excl. tax)
Products from both TEAM DREAM and Save Our Soles are made with Coolmax® and offer excellent breathability and moisture-wicking properties.
We might not have introduced Save Our Soles in great detail before, but they have been a staple brand at Circles for the past few years. Based in Colorado, a place rich in nature with no shortage of things to do, this sock manufacturer produces high-quality socks for many athletes right there in Colorado. Their diverse product range delivers peak performance across various fields and climates.
Whether you’re riding or just going about your daily life, the quality of your socks affects how much stress you accumulate throughout the day. Especially on hot summer days when you perspire more, the presence—or absence—of moisture absorption, quick-drying properties, and breathability makes a noticeable difference in your comfort.
If you have never experienced high-performance socks like these, I highly recommend giving them a try this summer.
This summer is shaping up to be hotter than usual.
Let’s get through it with more comfortable gear!!!