For a motorcycle rider, it might be easy to let our riding socks purchase be dictated by budget. We’ve already allocated a tidy sum for a safe helmet, jacket, and boots, completing the uniform with gloves and pants. Comfortable socks are important, but you’ve probably got a bunch of socks already, and something will fit the bill, right? Well, Hollow Boot Socks are here to make the case for the importance of performance socks. Having ridden with them, it’s hard not to support the concept of top-drawer socks.
Hollow Socks gets their name from the fleece harvested from Huacaya alpacas. This alpaca breed produces a lightweight hollow fiber that regulates temperature and wicks moisture—desirable qualities for an athletic sock. At first glance and touch, though, I was doubtful.
The Hollow Boot Socks are super soft, plush, and thick. My first thought was that they wouldn’t fit in my boots. My second thought was that they would leave my feet clammy as I don’t usually change out of my riding boots when I get to work, and I’m on my feet for 80 percent of my workday, thanks to my standing desk. I was wrong on both accounts.
I expect any alpaca could have set me straight. The hollow characteristic of its fiber keeps the animal warm in the mountains of Peru, sheds water, and is lightweight. Less beneficial to the alpaca, but useful for sock wearers, is that alpaca fiber doesn’t contain lanolin, a secretion in sheep that makes wool itchy. This gives Hollow Boot Socks antimicrobial properties—ideal for long days inside boots where odor can become an issue.
Pulling on a pair of Hollow socks feels luxurious. The cashmere-like softness feels almost decadent for a motorcycle sock, and my feet feel quite coddled. The socks do not have a compression element, nor are they left/right foot-specific. However, the 70 percent alpaca fiber is blended with nylon and spandex, giving the socks enough elasticity to retain shape. A one-inch welt at the top of the mid-calf length socks keeps them in place, so there’s no slouching. As one with tender pinky toes, I particularly appreciate the smooth toe seam, which eliminates irritating hotspots.
While odor will not be an issue, the Hollow socks are not for your summer riding collection. They do wick moisture, so my feet were dry when I pulled the socks off after a midday ride in 95-degree heat. However, I was aware that my feet were warm while riding and walking around.
Care instructions recommend turning the Hollow Boot Socks inside out before washing them in cold water, and hanging them to dry. Having repeatedly washed them in lukewarm water and draped them over the bathtub edge to dry, I am happy to report that the socks have not lost any fuzzy goodness after several runs through the machine.
I appreciate purpose-designed gear when it enhances the riding experience, and the Hollow Boot Socks fit that bill, delivering a deluxe, cushioned experience with no irritation points. Their premium price reflects a focus on comfort and performance, and our feet—sometimes overlooked while supporting us daily—are worth that investment.
Hollow Boot Socks Fast Facts
- Sizes: M, L, XL
- Colors: Black; Grey
Hollow Boot Socks Prices: $40/pair, $140/4-pack, $210/6-pack MSRP
