Socks

These Sportful Max Socks are good summer-weight socks that help keep your feet sweat-free in the warmer weather.

They're made from a mixture of Coolmax, nylon, Lycra and elastane and they're very stretchy for a close fit without wrinkles.

These aren't as light as some summer socks but the top of the foot section is a mesh weave that lets in quite a bit of cool air if you have ventilated shoe uppers. Plus, the Coolmax certainly does work to move moisture away from your feet quickly, and it dries very fast.

The new Prendas High Summer Dryarn-Resistex Carbon socks – that's a bit of a mouthful, isn't it? – are a lightweight and cool choice for summer riding.

The section on top of your foot is a synthetic mesh (the socks are a mix of nylon, polypropylene, Lycra and carbon fibre). If you have mesh sections on your shoe uppers too you can feel the air coming right in to keep your feet cool.

The Craft Cool Bike Socks are a lightweight choice for keeping your feet dry and comfortable on summer rides.

For a pair of ankle socks, there's a whole lot going on here. They're mostly nylon with some Lycra in there along with a fabric called Nanoglide that's designed to dry quickly and cool your skin.

Polaris PDT socks come as a trio of sport specific socks; designed with plenty of cushioning and breathability in mind. Not specific to cycling but also for running, are they capable as a jack of all trades or would you be better off just getting some cycling socks?

As well as looking cool, Condor's Race socks will keep your feet feeling cool in the hot weather.

They're made from a soft micro-fibre yarn and the upper section is a light mesh that's very breathable. It's open enough to let loads of cool air through and moisture out so your feet don't feel sticky and slimy in summer heat.

You always know there is a bike event in town when you see loads of guys wandering around with knee high socks, shorts and maybe even sandals - it would be no surpirise if some of them were wearin Polaris's Ultra Tec Compression Socks. So, the question is are the possible benefits of wearing them worth risking arrest by the fashion police?

The Louis Garneau Tuscan socks are really thin and they provide good moisture transfer to keep your feet comfortable in warm conditions.

SealSkinz Thin Socklets bring waterproof practicality to snug-fitting cycling footwear, whether you're running through muddied streams, shouldering the 'crosser, bombing along with the chain-gang or on a week's tour. However, while they're genuinely waterproof to their elasticated cuff-lines, being completely sealed in can still leave feet feeling a bit rank after a few hours in synthetic footwear.

Prendas Ciclismo Coolmax socks are lightweight and comfortable and they come in many different designs to match your bike, kit or mood.

I've used loads of pairs of these socks over several years. They're made from a polyester/polyamide/elastane mix that's very stretchy so you get a close fit without any ridges, and it shifts moisture away from your feet well. They're a consistent weave throughout rather than having any mesh sections but I've never noticed my feet getting particularly sweaty in these even on the hottest summer days or the steepest climbs.

These lightweight cycle-specific socks are highly ventilated, good value and they come with a neat little Union Jack round the back and some Great Britain logos.

Like Moose's Road Master socks that Leonie reviewed last year http://road.cc/content/review/32287-mooseeu-road-master-sock, these are made from 80% ClimaWell, 10% polypropylene, 5% polyamide (nylon) and 5% elastane.