I've just ridden the 'Mary Towneley Loop' on the Pennine Bridleway as part of an organised mountain-bike ride after a 5 year break from cycle racing.

At 28 degrees Centigrade and with 6300ft of climbing within the 47 mile loop, it was a good test for the new Chocolate Fish MerinoSport wool MTB socks, (the only merino cycling socks you don't need a bank loan to purchase). The wicking properties of the merino fibres were tested to the limits under such conditions, but after 8 hours of cycling my feet were as dry as when I had started - a far cry from the many 'breathable' synthetic socks I had used during my racing years. Even when I put a foot down in a shallow stream to avoid crashing, I was amazed how quickly the foot felt dry again.

A traditional problem for cyclists is 'Hot Foot' caused by a combination of high air/body temperature & the rigidity of modern cycling shoes. No such problems were encountered wearing the MerinoSport wool socks, as the temperature regulating properties of the wool fibres performed faultlessly. The thin padding on the sole eased the feel of the shoes rigidity without affecting performance or the shoes tightness and the seams were small enough & soft enough to prevent any rubbing. Cuffs are slightly higher than traditional cycling socks, but for mountain-biking this is advantageous as it prevents crank rub on rough terrain.

There were no unpleasant odours from the socks after the ride and had it been part of a longer tour, they could easily have been worn again without needing washing.

To conclude, after my 5 years of inactivity, the Merino Sport socks survived the 'Mary Towneley Loop' in much better condition than I did!

Robert Ibberson writes to us:

Dear fellow "Chocolateers",
Just to let you know I wore a merino wool chocolate fish sock on both feet for almost 3 weeks at least 15 hours per day. I had 2 long black pairs which I washed or rinsed in cold water every other day and dried on the rucksack and wore with trainers when I had my boots off.

I was doing (& completed) the "GR 20", reputedly one of the toughest high level treks in Europe together with other members of the YRC

The temperatures varied from an effective "minus a few deg C", due to wind-chill, to highs in mid 30's I had one minor sub toe blister due to a grain of granite getting to the toe before I could get my boot off (due to the precipitous terrain) Apart from the placing thereof, I forgot about my feet and was comfortable at all times and with no "elastic rash" - or smelly extremities!

Tim Tottenham, Capt., Royal Marines & Team ATP member, winners of the 2006 Sony Polar Challenge, said of his 100% Merino base layer & Merino (80-%) socks:

Tested the kit fully over the holiday, even going kayak surfing in Donegal wearing the top and the socks under a shortie wetsuit. Absolutely fantastic! The socks almost work like a wetsuit in their own right.....and weather doesn't get much harsher than the Atlantic off Donegal in late December!

Alex Baker of Solitude Cycles tells us:

Gave the MerinoSport merino wool MTB socks a good thrashing on and off the bike so here are my thoughts: The combination of thin and thick material makes sense, padding where you need it and no bulk where you don't want it. The low-profile seams don't rub your feet even on long rides with your cycling shoes done up extra-tight or when you spend all day standing and running up and down stairs at work! The material did a great job of keeping my feet at the right temperature despite the wide range of conditions I have worn them in. They can be worn several times with out washing with out stinking the place out so I will only need to get a few more pairs for my 9day race in the Himalayas!

Sam of Singular Cycles, who has been trying out our new MerinoSport wool MTB socks, tells us

I have had a few rides in the socks...., and initial impressions are on the whole very positive. The technical cut is very nice, providing comfort without adding too much bulk.