YES. It’s a thing and you will be glad you know of it. Even Bicycling Magazine reviewed them as amazingly warm socks for cycling. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you can’t ride. Commute to work warm, early morning mountain shred cozy, coffee stop and the only table left is outside – you got this. You have Pearly’s Possum Socks.
Pictured is the Original Pearly
Duke from Pearly’s had this to say:
First let me say that at Pearly’s we have put function ahead of fashion. We have worked really hard to have the very best product in terms of the warmest and most comfortable sock possible. At times that means we have had to choose between fashion and function, we have always chosen function.
How did the concept start and how did the company first grow? You were more or less inspired by Patagonia socks?
Margo and I Mtn Biked around New Zealand’s South Island in 2011, the weather was supposed to be nice, but most days were actually cold and rainy. Our guide, the legendary Phil Oliver suggested I try a pair of possum socks. I found a pair of hiking socks and they were amazing. When we got home from NZ we set about to craft the best possible cycling sock using a combination of Merino Wool and Possum Fur. Pearly’s are the result. They have become a cult sock, we have customers with a dozen pairs who wear them every single day.
Will the product ever expand to new materials or new designs?
New designs – yes, we think our yarn and the resulting product is amazing so we are likely sticking with the materials. Over the last 12 months we did introduce the “Moto” a knee high version. The response has been amazing so we made add more variants in the future.
Do you encounter any problems selling or shipping possum fur?
No we don’t have any problems, but we do get a lot of questions about the possum. The New Zealand possum is a ecological disaster in NZ that the government and environmental organizations are working to solve. Introduced from Australia about 100 years ago, the NZ possum are consuming the native vegetation and destroying the natural habitat of many bird species. The government and Eco Orgs are working to reduce the possum population to stop the deforestation and save their amazing bird populations. That creates a surplus of possum material and Pearly’s is one of several companies that use the fur. Others make golfing gloves from the skins and dog food for the working dogs of NZ from the meat. Our engagement starts at yarn, there is a factory in NZ that spins the yarn for us and we receive spools of it.
Who do you imagine your audience to be?
Our clients are primarily hardcore cyclists who spend time in cold weather. Our customer base is global and the common thread is that people want to have warm and comfortable feet. We have customers who climb mountains in them, a doctor who wears them to work every day, bike commuters who ride year round and many others. Truly every cyclist should have a least one pair in their kit, Pearly’s are like a secret weapon for that day you are going out, and the weather is not cooperating.
Have you ever had any surprising testimonials?
We love the testimonials we get…they inspire us and motivate us to have the best possible product. Our customer simply rock, they are the best. Here are some of my favorites:
Below is an update from last weekends Iceman race in Michigan. Weather was cold and it was a perfect Pearly’s day!!!
From Chris Stirlen:
My feet were warm and dry despite the 20 minutes of 12 mph sleet and rain coming at me on the 30+ mph downhill slalom part of the course.
The photo is from the bike corral after the race and before the rest of the 5000 riders arrived. Shook the sand and mud splatters out my Pearlies and wore them to the after party!
YES. It’s a thing and you will be glad you know of it. Even Bicycling Magazine reviewed them as amazingly warm socks for cycling. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you can’t ride. Commute to work warm, early morning mountain shred cozy, coffee stop and the only table left is outside – you got this. You have Pearly’s Possum Socks.
WomensKit 
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