The StormMasters Motocross Sock Set comes with oversized and undersizes pairs. The thigh-high was just tall enough for our knee braces but felt too thin inside our boots.
Some of the most underrated apparel in a rider's gearbag are invariably those sweaty, stinky socks that somehow manage to escape the wash cycles. Most of our riding buddies give little thought to their sock selection and buy in accordance with their favorite brands like Fox, Thor and Fly Racing. However, there are specific sock makers out there which offer quality products and some specialized attention to detail. One of those companies is
StormMasters, a New Zealand-based operation who sacrificed two sets of the overworked, underappreciated footwear to our smelly gearbag.
The Scoop StormMasters Motocross Sock Set
Of the two models, these were the featured item for our winter testing. Our chafed knees were in desperate need of some thigh-high undergarments. The socks are a combination of 100% merino wool, Spandex, Lycra blend with nylon in the heel and toe. After months of hard riding we have yet to find a single unraveled thread or threadbare patch, even in the high-wear areas on the bottom. The Motocross socks proved useful in a range of temperatures spanning from snow-covered toes to sweltering early-summer motos. The materials provide the warmth, but the thinness of the socks allow heat to escape and also pull moisture away from the skin very rapidly; the exact reason merino wool is used by high-quality clothing makers like Patagonia and Mountain Hardware.
Unfortunately, we only had two minor complaints and the thickness issue was one of them. Being so thin, they feel almost like dress socks which leaves a lot of extra room in your boots. We had to cinch down our boot straps but even then our feet would still wiggle around. The second issue is their length. Even though they are tall enough to reach the top of our
PODMX knee braces, it's only by a slim margin. The socks did slide below the upper strap on several occasions and it would be nice to have 3-4 more inches of material in order to fold them over the tops of our braces for a more secure fit.
An added bonus that helps make this sock set worth $21 is the secondary, ankle-high pair which comes attached. These shorties are heavy-duty, thick and extremely warm. StormMasters includes them with the intent of being worn to or from the race, which we did on several occasions. They aren't really necessary, but it's the thought that counts, so we liked 'em.
StormMasters Motorbike
We took both sets of riding socks out on numerous bike tests and were generally happy with the way they performed. They are some of the most durable socks we've ever slipped into our boots
As opposed to the extra-long Motocross socks designed specifically for knee brace support, the Motorbike socks are intended for use on- or off-road. These socks are more like a traditional moto sock and reach above the calf. Much thicker and a blend of 80% wool and 20% acrylic, they give us the idea that it must get cold in NZ. They worked very well for winter riding but we can't bear the hot buggers in even moderate spring-time weather. However, comfort was enjoyable and the durability of the high-backed heel and terry-woven design proved similar to the impressive Motocross digs. Priced at $13.50, these are a good investment for next winter.
The Sentence It's a little strange to see a company dedicated specifically to socks, but StormMasters pulls it off pretty well. Durability was definitely the high mark for both pairs of socks. The thin feel of the Motocross socks and barely-long-enough fit weren't enough for us to stop wearing them, but just a few tweaks in the fit category would convince us to buy multiple sets. If you have tight-fitting boots these are definitely the way to go. Since they are so thin and warm, we actually found ourselves using them for non-motorcycle activities like snowboarding and other winter explorations. StormMasters makes a decent product and if you like spending your hard-earned money with a qualified "little-guy" operation rather than feeding The Man, look no further.
Product: StormMasters Motocross Socks
Sizes:2-5, 6-9, 19-12, 13+
Colors: Black with Blue/Red/Grey/Green top band according to size
MSRP: $21.00 Motocross, $13.50 MotorBike
Find More Info: www.stormmasters.co.nz
