Sandals and what wool socks?
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Sandals and what wool socks?
This is a question for those of you who wear sandals outside of the summer months while riding. I've seen a lot of posts from people who just put wool socks on and continue to wear their sandals when it gets cooler outside. I feel like I could be a sandal kind of guy, so I got a pair of Shimano sandals on closeout a few weeks ago. Now what kind of wool socks should I look for? Hiking? Skiing? What's the difference between alpaca and merino wool? What the heck is smartwool?
I just want to keep my feet warm on those cool spring and fall mornings when I'm going for a long ride or doing a multi-day event. Does anyone wear socks with their sandals in the hot summer? I see some that claim to keep you cool in summer and warm in the winter. How is that possible?
I just want to keep my feet warm on those cool spring and fall mornings when I'm going for a long ride or doing a multi-day event. Does anyone wear socks with their sandals in the hot summer? I see some that claim to keep you cool in summer and warm in the winter. How is that possible?
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I rode in Shimano sandals for a year or so, I always wore summer socks to avoid chaifing and sunburn. After about 3 or 4 K miles on the sandals, my arches started to hurt when riding in the sandals. At first the pain would start after about 50 miles in a day, and gradually sooner and sooner. When they started hurting after about 30 miles, I pretty much gave up on the sandals. When I went back to regular shoes, the pain stopped completely. I don't know if the sandals got softer after they got some age on them, and didn't provide enough support, or what.
Up untile the pain started, I really enjoyed riding in the sandals, they were real comfortable and, of course, cool
Up untile the pain started, I really enjoyed riding in the sandals, they were real comfortable and, of course, cool
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I love my Lake sandals and I wear it no matter what the weather is but I live in Los Angeles so that tells you something. I'm not really answering your question but it's cool to see some other sandal users out there.
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I don't ride with sandals, but I do roll up my pantlegs year round. I wear smartwool socks. It's washable, durable merino wool. Soft and not itchy at all. I love my smartwool socks a lot.
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Hmmmmmm, the question of the day: Are any of you talking about SPD sandals or plain sandals? The reason I ask is because the SPD type (Lake) have a sole stiffener while the others probably won't.
I just bought a pair of SPD Lakes from Nashbar. I've heard good things about them.
Regular sandals won't have the support your feet need and it could make your arches a little sore after a short ride.
When I tour (and sometimes when I commute) I bring my Nike sandals (non cleated) to bum around in. I like sandals in the summer, too. I hope these cleated Lakes work!
I just bought a pair of SPD Lakes from Nashbar. I've heard good things about them.
Regular sandals won't have the support your feet need and it could make your arches a little sore after a short ride.
When I tour (and sometimes when I commute) I bring my Nike sandals (non cleated) to bum around in. I like sandals in the summer, too. I hope these cleated Lakes work!
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Iv'e been riding with shimano sandals for a couple of years now. I've never had trouble with chaffing so in hot weather I don't bother with socks. In the winter (western Oregon, wet and mild) I usually wear a thin coolmax sock, a warm (smartwool or whatever) pair of socks, seal skins & sandals. I just discovered smart wool this year and I love it!
If it's really wet or cold I might put on my rain booties as an extra layer. When we ride our tandem it dumps buckets of water on my feet & legs, so I end up getting wet feet if it comes in over the top of my seal skins & wicks down. I stay warm though...just wet. On my single I don't seem to have this problem. I find them to be pretty comfy off the bike too.
kari
If it's really wet or cold I might put on my rain booties as an extra layer. When we ride our tandem it dumps buckets of water on my feet & legs, so I end up getting wet feet if it comes in over the top of my seal skins & wicks down. I stay warm though...just wet. On my single I don't seem to have this problem. I find them to be pretty comfy off the bike too.
kari
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sandals rock...they make me feel like jesus...but socks are a no go with them haha. socks and sandals just dont work well, and the sandal tan you get is a good conversation starter.
steve
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Originally Posted by jharte
Hmmmmmm, the question of the day: Are any of you talking about SPD sandals or plain sandals? The reason I ask is because the SPD type (Lake) have a sole stiffener while the others probably won't.
I just bought a pair of SPD Lakes from Nashbar. I've heard good things about them.
Regular sandals won't have the support your feet need and it could make your arches a little sore after a short ride.
When I tour (and sometimes when I commute) I bring my Nike sandals (non cleated) to bum around in. I like sandals in the summer, too. I hope these cleated Lakes work!
I just bought a pair of SPD Lakes from Nashbar. I've heard good things about them.
Regular sandals won't have the support your feet need and it could make your arches a little sore after a short ride.
When I tour (and sometimes when I commute) I bring my Nike sandals (non cleated) to bum around in. I like sandals in the summer, too. I hope these cleated Lakes work!
You will love the Lakes. It's super comfy that sometimes if they permit me, I wear mine at work .
Last edited by Pigtire; 02-10-06 at 07:42 PM.
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Originally Posted by SteveFox
sandals rock...they make me feel like jesus...but socks are a no go with them haha. socks and sandals just dont work well, and the sandal tan you get is a good conversation starter.
steve
steve
See I feel like Moses, it's still cool either way! Definetly no socks either....thats the whole point of sandals!
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Originally Posted by Travelinguyrt
Gentlemen DON'T wear sox with sandals
Max
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Originally Posted by jharte
Hmmmmmm, the question of the day: Are any of you talking about SPD sandals or plain sandals? The reason I ask is because the SPD type (Lake) have a sole stiffener while the others probably won't.
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Originally Posted by Travelinguyrt
Gentlemen DON'T wear sox with sandals
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I wear defeet brand woolie boolie in cool temps. Smartwool socks in cold temps. Both in real cold temps.
I also use a thin bootie, not the thick neoprene ones, as a wind layer in the winter.
https://www.sugoi.com/consumer/produc...91&srtx=95050U
I also use a thin bootie, not the thick neoprene ones, as a wind layer in the winter.
https://www.sugoi.com/consumer/produc...91&srtx=95050U
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another vote for smartwool. light hikers, ankle length. two pair per tour. one is usually on my feet while the other is tucked under a bungee, drying off in the wind.
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Any hiking weight merino wool sock works. I have REI, Smartwool, Dhalgren, Fox River, Carhart, etc. they all work fine. While Smartwool is fine and dandy, all of them work and I would buy the ones that look the sturdiest.
I have been most impressed with REI socks, and in really cold weather I wear Carhart arctic socks. Just make sure you can fit your feet in the sandal comfortably with the sock.
I have been most impressed with REI socks, and in really cold weather I wear Carhart arctic socks. Just make sure you can fit your feet in the sandal comfortably with the sock.
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Smartwool, from light hikers to expedition weight. I wear their Ultimate Sandal socks in warm temps, to protect from the straps chaffing. i have worn this combination on centuries.
#19
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Originally Posted by Travelinguyrt
Gentlemen DON'T wear sox with sandals
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I wear sandals all year round though I am currently on a digresion of wearing those urethane clogs. I wear socks with my sandald all year round and so did my cousins in Ireland, this no socks thing is stupid. I most comonly wear a wool dress sock. There is a local place that sells them by the three pair, and they work as well as any of the high tech socks. In winter I sometimes wear heavier socks, I don't find my feet get cold unless I step in a puddle, I live in Canada. When it rains I wrap the socks in plastic bags and keep going. Goretex socks would be a good option, but unfortunately I can't find ones I like, and the prices are ridiculous. I wear Lake sandals for cycling, and find them very good, otherwise I keep my eyes open for sales.
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Originally Posted by Bikepacker67
A sandals post in the first week of February?
Some of you southerners are downright sadistic.
Some of you southerners are downright sadistic.
In Canada here, I wear sandals year round. Best part about em, they expand unlike my road shoes to allow 2-3 layers of wool socks and a gortex sock
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Originally Posted by jimmuter
What's the difference between alpaca and merino wool? What the heck is smartwool? ... I see some that claim to keep you cool in summer and warm in the winter. How is that possible?
Alpaca is from an alpaca - an animal that gets sheared for its wool, just as sheep do. 100% Alpaca fiber is soft, but is almost too warm for garments like sweaters. It is nice for scarves or hats - where you want a lot of warmth from a small amount of fabric. My judgement would be that 100% alpaca would be too warm for socks, but if you're looking at a blend, then the alpaca will contribute warmth and the other fibers will keep the whole thing from being overwhelmingly hot.
Merino is a breed of sheep that produces soft, fine wool.
Here's more info than you may want about SmartWool, but it's interesting reading. (OK - to a knitter, anyway.) https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm Click on WHY SMARTWOOL.
Last edited by YamacrawJ; 02-12-06 at 09:19 PM.
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Originally Posted by YamacrawJ
jimmuter, I don't see answers to these questions yet. As a knitter, I can't resist:
Alpaca is from an alpaca - an animal that gets sheared for its wool, just as sheep do. 100% Alpaca fiber is soft, but is almost too warm for garments like sweaters. It is nice for scarves or hats - where you want a lot of warmth from a small amount of fabric. My judgement would be that 100% alpaca would be too warm for socks, but if you're looking at a blend, then the alpaca will contribute warmth and the other fibers will keep the whole thing from being overwhelmingly hot.
Merino is a breed of sheep that produces soft, fine wool.
Here's more info than you may want about SmartWool, but it's interesting reading. (OK - to a knitter, anyway.) https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm Click on WHY SMARTWOOL.
Alpaca is from an alpaca - an animal that gets sheared for its wool, just as sheep do. 100% Alpaca fiber is soft, but is almost too warm for garments like sweaters. It is nice for scarves or hats - where you want a lot of warmth from a small amount of fabric. My judgement would be that 100% alpaca would be too warm for socks, but if you're looking at a blend, then the alpaca will contribute warmth and the other fibers will keep the whole thing from being overwhelmingly hot.
Merino is a breed of sheep that produces soft, fine wool.
Here's more info than you may want about SmartWool, but it's interesting reading. (OK - to a knitter, anyway.) https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm Click on WHY SMARTWOOL.
I wouldn't wear it in the 60s and 70s, but neither would I wear my thickish wool sweaters.
And: my neighbor has several alpaca down the street.