Fifty Plus (50+) - Bike socks

Bike socks have become my favorite bike-related purchase. I received 2 pair for Christmas last year and now I'm hooked. I like them because they are fun and colorful.

On today's group ride on the Roubaix, I wore my mountain bike shorts, a baggy grey cotton t-shirt that says "Ride for Life!" on the back, my new red anklets with the daisies, and my Sidis. Fred, or anti-Fred? :)

Anyway..... bike socks are much more expensive than other socks of similar style. Anyone know of a source for bike socks that don't cost $10.00/pair?:twitchy:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d623b3127ccec4919f3f6f9600000040O08Eas2TVu4cg9vPgQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

Every year on BRAG a vendor has 3 for $10 Sock Guy socks. Limited selection and a lot of oddball leftovers of custom socks for rides and promotions, but some of them are cool and all of them are good quality.
They offer the same deal online, but you don't get to choose the designs.
http://suncyclecenter.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=1018

I bought a 12-pack of irregular Hanes low-cut athletic socks for $6. But they are 80% cotton. Which works fine for me as my feet rarely ever sweat. I can ride 40 miles & then pull my socks off and they are dry.

They look like this:
http://www.hanes.com/Hanes/Products/Men-Hanes/Men_ShopByCategory-Hanes/Men_Socks-Hanes/Men_Socks_Athletic-Hanes/H88.aspx

I've seen cycling socks on sale for $3.99/pr. REI has socks they sell for around $6-$7 pair and sometimes have sales on them.

On today's group ride on the Roubaix, I wore my mountain bike shorts, a baggy grey cotton t-shirt that says "Ride for Life!" on the back, my new red anklets with the daisies, and my Sidis. Fred, or anti-Fred? :)


It sounded good, at least up to the point where you mentioned the Sidis.

I can ride 40 miles & then pull my socks off and they are dry.



TMI, Tom. Just sayin' :D

Like T Bomb, I wear cheap cotton low cuts. Unless it rains, my feet stay comfortable.

So far, I haven't been sucked in by the cutesy sock trend.

Although I have noticed how nice they look on women :innocent:, perhaps it's more of a girl thing.

Like T Bomb, I wear cheap cotton low cuts. Unless it rains, my feet stay comfortable.

So far, I haven't been sucked in by the cutesy sock trend.

Although I have noticed how nice they look on women :innocent:, perhaps it's more of a girl thing.

What does that say about me? I have lots of 'cutsey' socks. Including the blue and yellow smiley socks the OP owns. :(

Once you go wool, nothing else will seem good enough.

Every year on BRAG a vendor has 3 for $10 Sock Guy socks. Limited selection and a lot of oddball leftovers of custom socks for rides and promotions, but some of them are cool and all of them are good quality.
They offer the same deal online, but you don't get to choose the designs.
http://suncyclecenter.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=1018

Sorry, it doesn't appear the special is available online.

What does that say about me? I have lots of 'cutsey' socks. Including the blue and yellow smiley socks the OP owns. :(
:D I'm certain that I'm in the minority, as usual, when it comes to style - cycling or otherwise.:) maybe DnvrFox should do a poll. :p

I like fun socks, period. I like wearing bike socks with my jeans to work. I like the height (not anklets that fall down into the shoe, or higher socks that fall down anyway). I don't think it's a cutesy girl thing.... for me, I can be myself and not adhere the standard cycling uniform. I can express my individuality through socks.

I cannot imagine wearing wool clothing next to my skin and sweating in it in any weather. :eek: What is the appeal? No, really - I want to know.

TMI, Tom. Just sayin' :D

In this case, it was relevant. The weakness of cotton is when it is wet. If it isn't wet, then cotton is fine. For socks, jerseys, or whatever. For some people, cotton socks would be a bad thing.

I never used to wear cycling specific socks- till my LBS gave me a a pair in 2003. What a difference- my feet were comfortable for a 14 hour ride. As Tom said- These were wool socks.

Then come a certain winter and it was was Cold and wet. I splashed out on a pair of Sealskin socks. Waterproof and warm. Fantastic. It must be the Lack of cotton in Cycling socks that does i.- Now where can I get woolen shorts for those Enduro rides.

I could never make up my mind about socks. Some wear white while some wear black. (some wear none but that's a different problem)

Rather than struggling with the decision I bought about 2 dozed pair of grey.......:)

:D I'm certain that I'm in the minority, as usual, when it comes to style - cycling or otherwise.:) maybe DnvrFox should do a poll. :p
I use cheap cotton ankle socks that I buy in bulk at Sams Club.
I do have two pair of athletic hi-tech socks that I bought 5 years ago for another sport and I wear them from time to time - they are slightly more comfortable on a long ride. I have been thinking about bike specific socks but that might be a good thing for the christmas list.

The book is upstairs, I'm downstairs, and I don't want to go up and wake up my wife (I'm 10 minutes from leaving for a 45 miler). The book, "Long-distance cyling handbook" says clearly that only white socks may be worn whilst riding. Period. The book was written by an elistist Brit (probably a Tory), so who am I to argue with him?

Since my jerseys are colorful I tend to stick to white or yellow socks. Most are the Livestrong socks I picked up at the events I attended the past two years. Performance and Nashbar usually have socks for $5-7.

I do have some "just for fun" socks. I bought this pair recently and love them. I always wear them with my 50+ jersey:) Most people don't pickup on the fellow flipping the bird but those who do just smile.

Once you go wool, nothing else will seem good enough.

I love my wool socks once the temps turn a little cooler. I know they're good in warmer weather but I stick to sandals or my light socks during summer. I even bought non-cycling wool socks to wear after trying the cycling type.

Here is a source of cheaper cycling socks. You can pick your own style, or else get the cheaper, grab bag price- they pick the colors for you.

http://www.longscycle.com/webstore/shopping.asp?categoryID=23

http://www.longscycle.com/webstore/shopping.asp?categoryID=23

Hi, Beverly. I recognize you from Pedalopolis. I live in Springfield.

I find them on sale frequently enough, I stock up then. Cotton socks are too bulky. They feel hot and some how make for more friction. Plus on group rides, my beer stein socks helps to remind us of how we choose to relax post ride. A couple beers.

:D I'm certain that I'm in the minority, as usual, when it comes to style - cycling or otherwise.:) maybe DnvrFox should do a poll. :p

I tried the low cuts and they slip down or don't cover my heel properly.

I use Freddish high top white socks for everything - walking, bicycling, etc. Or, I wear no socks at all at times.

So, there is MY poll!

Staying in Logan, UT for the summer where LIN socks are manufactured.
They had cycling socks, 3 pr for $10, at their annual Sidewalk Days Sale.
Swapmeets are another great place to pick up cycling sox for under $5 a pair.
Yeah, 9 bucks a pair is too pricey!
As for wool cycling clothing, that's all that used to be available. Nice thing about wool is that it does NOT smell even if you sweat heavily. It's warm in cold weather and wicks and keeps you cooler in the heat. Even in the rain you'll be warmer/more comfortable in wool than synthetics.
The only drawback now is the hefty price.

Hi, Beverly. I recognize you from Pedalopolis. I live in Springfield.

Good to see another Pedaloplis member here:)

I was at an Orvis outlet store today - I saw wool athletic socks for $6. Unfortunately they did not have anything in my size.

+1 Longs Cycle. Cost about $3/pair. Just bought another six pair last week.

Lotsa socks at pricepoint.com for cheap. I got pricepoint and sette socks 2 pair for price of 1 last spring. They're all made in USA and holding up great. http://www.pricepoint.com/thumb/1-Clothing-18-Socks-False.htm

"Bad Kitty" for 6.98 http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/15276-515_SOCBK6-1-Clothing-18-Socks/Sock-Guy-Women's-Bad-Kitty-Socks.htm

As for wool cycling clothingMy skin doesn't like wool.

If you ride 200k brevets, you'll want the good socks. For my short weekday evening rides, I just wear my Shimano sandals without socks, but for the brevets and longer club rides, it's my Sidi Dominator shoes and the good socks.

I really love the fit and feel of the Sock Guy socks. I bought a pair of these (I figured I had earned them, and besides, Sock Guy donates 20 percent of the proceeds to cancer research).
http://www.sockguy.com/media/08%20products/cancerblack.jpg (http://www.sockguy.com/product943.html)

Have you gotten a pair yet, BD?

http://www.sockguy.com/media/08%20products/cancerblack.jpg (http://www.sockguy.com/product943.html)

Have you gotten a pair yet, BD?

I just ordered 2 pair from Pricepoint. Thanks for the tip. :)

I just ordered 2 pair from Pricepoint. Thanks for the tip. :)

I think I'll order some too.

I just ordered 2 pair from Pricepoint. Thanks for the tip. :)

Count me in too.

I prefer the no-show socks because it cuts down on the dork-tan. I can handle white feet but white ankles? Ugh.

So I found some She-Beest no-shows at my LBS last year for $10/pr., but as a race team member I get 30% off that. And they had white, black and blue. Ho-hum

I found C*stco had 10 pair of striped and solid socks in fun colors, a package of all bold colors and one of pastels. They're a combo of cotton, nylon and Spandex. I bought the pastels because there were 3 pair that coordinate with my Diva, and 3 that coordinate with the tandem. That satisfies my OCP-ness, as well as my desire to be fashion-forward. And since they don't show, nobody knows but me what color I'm wearing. :D

I like my shorty high-tech socks, but I love my Smart Wool!

I cannot imagine wearing wool clothing next to my skin and sweating in it in any weather. :eek: What is the appeal? No, really - I want to know.

Yen, we're not talking about the rough wool rag socks from the 70's, but the smart wool products of the 2000's. You get all the benefits of wool without the itch.

The first thing I Googled... http://www.wooliebees.com/benefits.html

+1 on the wool socks or any merino wool gear. I've found good buys at TJ Maxx and am not sure wool running socks are very different from ones designed for the bike. Mine function well during both activities.

The book is upstairs, I'm downstairs, and I don't want to go up and wake up my wife (I'm 10 minutes from leaving for a 45 miler). The book, "Long-distance cyling handbook" says clearly that only white socks may be worn whilst riding. Period. The book was written by an elistist Brit (probably a Tory), so who am I to argue with him?

Must have been a roadie as White socks attract mud. Come to think of it- Could have been our Boris (Boris Johnson- the New London Mayor as he rides a bike and is a tory) but he wouldn't know what colour socks he wears as he can't see over his 12 pack.

Thanks everyone, especially for the links!

Swan652, interesting and nice site about wool. Thanks.

Gold toe 3/4 from the evil WalMart. $6 for 2 pairs. Could not find a link but they are white with a black pattern woven in.

I don't know if there is a difference between running and riding socks, but I buy coolmax socks from Target ( and have found them at TJMaxx & affiliates). They have been great on the long runs & walks--but they are plain. But, who says that only children can decorate their clothes with markers. glitter, and puffy paint?

I was going to order some, but I went to TJ Max this morning and bought some of the cycling smart wool socks for $6 a pair.

Bike socks have become my favorite bike-related purchase.

Anyway..... bike socks are much more expensive than other socks of similar style. Anyone know of a source for bike socks that don't cost $10.00/pair?:twitchy:
Try bikejerseys.com. Here's a link to their socks page.
http://www.bikejerseys.com/socks.html

I don't know if there is a difference between running and riding socks, but I buy coolmax socks from Target ( and have found them at TJMaxx & affiliates). They have been great on the long runs & walks--but they are plain. But, who says that only children can decorate their clothes with markers. glitter, and puffy paint?

On a suggestion from someone (??) on one of these forums I bought some of the coolmax socks at Target. They come in a 3-pack for about $7. These are my favorite bike socks now. They are soft, but not too thick. They are low anklet length, but have a longer part that comes up the back. Mostly white with this gray tab thing on the back. Highly recommended.:thumb:

My favorite socks are smart wool cycling socks. I have them in light, medium and thick weight so I've got all the temps covered. They have thicker material where its needed for padding and thinner material where the shoe meets the top of the foot. Over the years I've purchased some of the novelty socks only to have them taken by my wife and boys. I would see them wearing them and ask where they got them. The usual answer was that they found them in the laundry room and they didn't think they belonged to anybody. I've tried regular cotton socks, when my regular socks were in the laundry or on family member's feet, and have got blisters on long rides when the socks got damp from sweat.

During the past year I switched to Smartwool cycling socks. I have a couple of pair of Pearl Izumi Attack socks, but prefer the Smartwool. I get them at REI

I find the cycling socks very comfortable......... and cool (in more ways than one)!

My favorites are the "Bad Kitty" socks from Sock Guy.

Come on........basically socks are socks. I saw some in a running magazine that have individual compartments for each toe. These are touted as high tech etc etc. If you buy decent quality cotton or wool socks, they are fine, although coolmax for a little more money tends to wick away some of the moisture. If you are concerned with the cotton getting soaked and heavy, bring a change of dry ones. I do concur however that some of the socks in these posts look like fun.

Come on........basically socks are socks. .......

I feel that way about jerseys. I prefer the type with a regular t-shirt style and fit.

Not all socks are created equal. I always ride with biking socks; they keep my feet dry, my shoes ae fitted to them, and they have lots of cool designs. In moab I always wear my chili pepper bike shop socks. Yesterday I wore the sock guy "dopers suck" socks. Around here, my "impeach bush" socks go over very nicely thank you.
If its cold (wasn't cold yesterday but the high here was only 63) I wear shoe covers.

Gold toe 3/4 from the evil WalMart. $6 for 2 pairs. Could not find a link but they are white with a black pattern woven in.

Sorry, checked yesterday, 3 pairs for $6.

I find the cycling socks very comfortable......... and cool (in more ways than one)!

My favorites are the "Bad Kitty" socks from Sock Guy.

:lol: