Fifty Plus (50+) - Socks

I suppose bike socks are superior to ordinary athletic socks, right? I saw some cool Pearl socks in the LBS yesterday (with the Wheaties logo, actually), but they wanted $10 a pair.

TEN DOLLARS A PAIR!

So tell me, why, other than the fancy label, are they worth $10 a pair?

Forget socks for now, get the bike!!!!!!!!!

Pearl socks are really good. We're lucky, we live near a Pearl Isumi outlet store and usually get them for about $4-5/pair. We also live near a sock factory that makes them for other companys. They sell over-runs, etc. for $4.50. They are great because they fit well, don't bunch and wick moisture really well. A less expensive option is the Champion brand coolmax socks sold (here anyway) at Costco for a lot less. One thing I've discovered, Gary, the bike is just the beginning ($$$$$).

I suppose bike socks are superior to ordinary athletic socks, right? I saw some cool Pearl socks in the LBS yesterday (with the Wheaties logo, actually), but they wanted $10 a pair.

TEN DOLLARS A PAIR!

So tell me, why, other than the fancy label, are they worth $10 a pair?
For years I didn't wear socks while riding - that was they style back in the day. Then I started and, of course, it made my feet more comforatable. I have tried a number of socks, in fact I wear bike socks (mostly purchased from www.longscycle.com - great selection and great price) nearly all the time. But when I ride I only wear Pearl Izumi Originals. They, for me, are by far the most comforatable inside my cycling shoes. $10, no. I look for them while they are on sale.
p.s. I should add that there are a number of different Pearl Izumi socks - Originals being one of them. And I should have added that they wear like iron!

One suggestion, if you get expensive cycling socks, keep your toe nails manacured. Another great application for a Dremel tool! Can you tell, it's raining and cold here today?

I feel honoured by my LBS. In 2004 I spent an arm and a leg on upgrading the Tandem- Pushing $1500 and that was with a good discount- Jokingly I asked them for sponsorship for my big ride that year- They do not sponsor as a matter of course, as too many customers doing such rides- What they did though was provide me and my co-pilot with all the shop logo items they had- Water bottles- cycling shorts------and Socks. Those socks are superb. Don't know what they are made of- but they kept the feet cool- kept them dry from sweat and were comfortable.

Shorts they provided- I was doubtful about as instead of a thin Chamois- they had a thick Sponge like liner- Felt as though I was wearing a double thick nappy (Diaper) They were comfortable though- but I have to admit, the socks were the best I have ever worn on a bike. All I am trying to do now is get him to source pairs with Heating elements for winter riding. Hold on--- Springs here-- Forget the heaters- where's the sun cream.

I suppose bike socks are superior to ordinary athletic socks, right? I saw some cool Pearl socks in the LBS yesterday (with the Wheaties logo, actually), but they wanted $10 a pair.

TEN DOLLARS A PAIR!

So tell me, why, other than the fancy label, are they worth $10 a pair?

So turn it around. If you were able to get people to pay $10.00 per pair for your socks, why would you want to accept anything less?

Personally, I think it best to buy my bikes at the bike store and common clothing items, like socks, at the clothing store.

In my younger days, my perforated Duegi's had shrunk in the rain...helped by me hanging them over the heater vent to dry for the next day. So I had begun going sockless (those European sizes were narrow and ventilated..."cool" in both ways.) I cut the toe boxes out and rode for a summer with my toes in the breeze. Started wearing socks because the little toesies seemed so vulnerable. It worked. Clips didn't bother them.

With those old, limp European uppers now gone, and as uppers have gotten stiffer, sockless doesn't seem so comfy. Gary, to be honest, I never have felt the need for logo'ed, special socks. I get plain ankle top socks in the bag, with padded bottoms, and go any distance I like.

Or you could go the Shimano SPD sandal route. Skip the socks altogether in the summer. Wear 'em in the cool weather. I wear these all summer long and can walk just fine in them:

Actually good shoes, pedals and socks were one the cheapest upgrades I've done that produced the most comfort on long hot rides. I went from toe clips to clipless with ventilated shoes and buy Asic running socks at $5.00/pr. When I get back my feet are dry and cool and I have not had a single foot problem. Now when the temp goes below 50F you need shoe covers or your going to have numb toes. Good thing that doesn't happen much down here ;>)

I purchase socks from www.longcycle.com as well. Excellent value and good stuff. I use the heavier wool socks in the winter and regular cycling socks other times. You just need to make sure you get the right color to match your other cycling stuff.....

I purchase socks from www.longcycle.com as well. Excellent value and good stuff. I use the heavier wool socks in the winter and regular cycling socks other times. You just need to make sure you get the right color to match your other cycling stuff.....

See that's hard for me. IRL, I have two kinds of socks -- white ones, and black ones. Black ones for business, white ones the rest of the time. I never have to match anything to anything, except some of the black socks are longer than others. All the white socks go with each other and they're all the same kind (can't remember what they're called, but they come up half way on my ankle).

If I make the exception and buy a pair of fancy dress socks, that have to be matched to one another, I can win money betting that one will be lost in the laundry shortly.

Hence black, and white.

A good, padded moisture wicking sock will do. My wife recently bought me some (don't have the labels, so not sure of the exact name of them) from Target, and they work great. Comfortable, seem to be well-padded, and my feet are dry (which is an accomplishment!). Just don't use cotton!-worst thing for your feet-holds and retains moisture, not good for your feet. Guess I'm cheap, but can't see spending all that for socks, when I can find something that works for me.

Gary, since you're in San Diego, check our Road Runner Sports. I'm not sure if they have an actual store, or are only online. I love their running socks. The important thing for me with socks is a wicking fabric. Cotton holds the moisture in and let's my feet rub inside my shoe, which cause blisters.

It looks like they have a local store.
Road Runner Sports
5553 Copley Dr
San Diego, Ca 92111
(858)974-4475

Gary, since you're in San Diego, check our Road Runner Sports. I'm not sure if they have an actual store, or are only online. I love their running socks. The important thing for me with socks is a wicking fabric. Cotton holds the moisture in and let's my feet rub inside my shoe, which cause blisters.

It looks like they have a local store.
Road Runner Sports
5553 Copley Dr
San Diego, Ca 92111
(858)974-4475

Has anyone ever tried "Smartwool" socks? The advertising says they will last longer than other cycling socks and remove moisture better.