Gore Bike Wear Alaska Windstopper Sock

It is cold riding here in NE Ohio. I've worn these socks in 35 down to 19 degrees with lots of blowing wind and at times with some snow and rain. I'm afraid to wear them 'as is' without at least thin Smartwool sock liner and an instant heat pad. (But maybe I should try that, there would be more room in the shoe). They fit too snug at the top. They are hard to pull on, and they are just a tad too bulky as another reviewer mentioned -- road bike shoes are a snug fit anyway, and to add these socks (plus the one or two other thin ones inside the Winstopper Sock) it is way too tight. I also wear a neoprene bootie over the bike shoe. I have very sensitive-to-the-cold toes to begin with and I was hoping these would keep me warm - as ALL the other Windstopper items I own do such a fabulous job - I expected the same with these socks. They just don't do the job. With the added bulk in the shoe your circulation is restricted and your toes go numb after the first hill or two or within as little as 15 minutes out in the cold. I like to be out riding in the cold for about 2 hours at a time. I did notice when I put them in the washing machine and after the cycle was finished I lifted them out and each sock was half filled with water, and holding up the sock the water did not leak through this windstopper fabric -- so they are very water tight! This water tightness can make your foot sweat when you are exercising -- and thus feel even colder. I have not been impressed with this Windstopper item -- just did not keep my feet warm at all!

I purchased these socks for winter MTB riding in MA and used them last night in dry, 30 degree weather. Even with two pairs of wool socks underneath these Gore Socks, my feet froze within an hour and the wind cut right through for the rest of the 3 hour ride. I cannot attest to the water capabilities but for wind and warmth in the winter, I would stick to these layers from inside to out: normal wicking cycling socks, thick wool ski-type socks, tied-off plastic bags, MTB shoes, and neoprene booties.

I'm generally pretty soft in my reviews and can usually find some nice things to say, but not in this case. I don't know what Gore was thinking with this product. The concept is great and totally sold me, but practical application is absurd. First, the sock is bulky...kinda like a hospital bootie. This would be fine if it was going OVER the shoe, but these are meant to go inside. Problem is, cycling shoes are traditionally tighter than a normal shoe, and especially so when it comes to road shoes. I couldn't get the shoe on with my normal smartwool sock so I had to go with a super-thin summer sock. My doubt level was rising before I ever clipped into the pedals. For the first half hour or so of my maiden voyage, the socks were fine. They cut the chilly wind and my toes were OK, if not immobile due to the cramming nature of this "sock." After about an hour, trouble set in. These DO NOT breathe...and I have pretty ventilated shoes. Though the wind was being blocked, these were the equivalent of riding with a wet towel wrapped around my feet on a 40 degree day. Needless to say, by the end of my two hour ride, my toes were numb. Either from cold or from being stuffed like ground pig into a salami. There are better, cheaper options to be had or sure. Whoever designed these things never put them through any real-world QA. I can't think of a single application they would work for unless you cut out the bottom and wore them OVER your shoe with a nice insulating sock. I'll just get my money back.