Socks
#2
Tragically Ignorant

Joined: Jun 2018
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From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
#4
Hear myself getting fat
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 758
Likes: 277
From: Inland Northwest
Bikes: Sir Velo A Sparrow
Low ankle socks, white works great (like 2 time stage winner of the Vuelta-Ben King), the brand is irrelevant.
Worth it just to see the spittle forming at the corner of the mouths of the scolds and lecturers as they sputter about some blah blah thing.
Worth it just to see the spittle forming at the corner of the mouths of the scolds and lecturers as they sputter about some blah blah thing.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 157
Likes: 16
From: Annapolis, MD
Bikes: BMC Teammachine SLR02 Disc, Cannondale CAAD 4
In the winter I wear Smartwool or Darn Tough wool socks...never have cold feet. Rest of the year I wear whatever "sport" socks are laying around, doesn't seem to matter to my feet.
#6
Senior Member


Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,678
Likes: 2,053
From: Sussex County, Delaware
To each his own. I like and wear white socks a lot, general wear, work, bicycling, I wear them with any color of shorts or long pants/tights, black shoes, blue shoes, boots, whatever. I am not going to change that because others think they are not stylish. I do not care, think what you will.
Last edited by cb400bill; 01-31-20 at 07:18 PM.
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Eastern VA
Bikes: 2022 Fuel EX 8, 2021 Domane SL6, Black Beta (Nashbar frame), 2004 Trek 1000C for the trainer
#10
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,701
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From: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
For me it has to be wool...There is nothing better than wool socks. I buy mine for cheap at an industrial/work clothing supply store.
#12
Tragically Ignorant

Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 15,593
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From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
To each his own. I like and wear white socks a lot, general wear, work, bicycling, I wear them with any color of shorts or long pants/tights, black shoes, blue shoes, boots, whatever. I am not going to change that because others think they are not stylish. I do not care, think what you will.
I had too many of them get stained by mud and grease. Not a problem with black.
Style has nothing to do with it. White socks are fine if I'm not biking.
Last edited by cb400bill; 01-31-20 at 07:22 PM.
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,341
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From: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
They leave enough room in my shoes for insoles correcting my valgus or varus, wick sweat, don't feel like a long caterpillar crawling up my leg, and don't develop visible stains.
I also wear them when not cycling.
Doing laundry I just pair the two nearest socks because they all match.
At $10 a pair they're much more expensive than cotton, but worth it for the comfort.
Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 02-02-20 at 10:15 AM.
#14
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 467
Likes: 278
I like black socks myself, same reasons, mud, dirt etc. I do like the low cut models though. Just can't get excited about those mid calf socks.
I get a couple of 3 packs and I'm good all week.

If you sweat on black socks, no stains. I have had white socks stain from sweat.

Every once in a while, I find a good deal on cycling socks. Don't care for white but for 2 bucks, can't beat the price and they match my bike, my other bike!

Wife likes the ankle socks too. But she likes Walmart types as they have multiple colors to match her tops.

I loved my rubber ducky socks but being white, they got thrashed, bugs, sweat, dirt, grease. The water didn't bother them though cause they are duckies!
I get a couple of 3 packs and I'm good all week.

If you sweat on black socks, no stains. I have had white socks stain from sweat.

Every once in a while, I find a good deal on cycling socks. Don't care for white but for 2 bucks, can't beat the price and they match my bike, my other bike!

Wife likes the ankle socks too. But she likes Walmart types as they have multiple colors to match her tops.

I loved my rubber ducky socks but being white, they got thrashed, bugs, sweat, dirt, grease. The water didn't bother them though cause they are duckies!

#15
Senior Member


Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,678
Likes: 2,053
From: Sussex County, Delaware
livedarklions, I did not mean to imply that you specifically had a problem with white socks. I get the part about stains from bicycling. I was trying to give the opinion that one should not be concerned with what someone else thinks of as a style faux pas. I am not always able to abide by that myself. White socks is one area that I really do not care.
#16
I was given a pair of bamboo socks- they are quite comfortable but I don't wear them on the bike.
The fleet of Nashbar Wooleaters are wearing out, supplemented by a variety of mostly wool ones.
Being between shoe sizes, I wear either thin liners under regular ones, or one layer of thick socks.
Black for the most part, but a few "sock game" contenders. No low or ankle socks.
The fleet of Nashbar Wooleaters are wearing out, supplemented by a variety of mostly wool ones.
Being between shoe sizes, I wear either thin liners under regular ones, or one layer of thick socks.
Black for the most part, but a few "sock game" contenders. No low or ankle socks.
#17
I'm also a fan of the 3" cuff...not sure why.
Lately, I've been a fan of hi-viz socks with interesting phrases on the back. Kinda like bumper stickers for my ankles. I put thin wool socks underneath for mildly cold temperatures.
I tend to be a bit picky about socks, so I do not mind spending a bit on them. Sale prices, though.
Lately, I've been a fan of hi-viz socks with interesting phrases on the back. Kinda like bumper stickers for my ankles. I put thin wool socks underneath for mildly cold temperatures.
I tend to be a bit picky about socks, so I do not mind spending a bit on them. Sale prices, though.
#18
Tragically Ignorant

Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 15,593
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From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
livedarklions, I did not mean to imply that you specifically had a problem with white socks. I get the part about stains from bicycling. I was trying to give the opinion that one should not be concerned with what someone else thinks of as a style faux pas. I am not always able to abide by that myself. White socks is one area that I really do not care.
No problem, I just used to have the habit of wearing white socks while riding, and one day realized I had a drawer full of stained ones. It was kind of a d-uh, black socks moment for me. I actually thought it was funny how long it took me to realize this.
#19
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Ontario, Canada
Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX
When I wear pants instead of shorts I wear calf-high socks that I tuck the pant legs into. In winter those socks have a high wool content for warmth.
Cheers
Cheers
#22
Senior Member

Joined: May 2017
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From: Hacienda Hgts
Bikes: 2026 Motobecane Mulekick 520 Steel 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
I purchased a pair of knee high graduated compression blue Alpaca wool socks but they are too damn nice to wear on bike rides. I thought they would be great in the mountains on cold days to go with some thermal bibs but it has been too warm in SoCal lately to wear them.
#23
Senior Member



Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Orange County, California
Bikes: Yes
A thread about socks? This reminds me of a Monty Python skit that I won't post cause it would probably get me banned for life. 
I buy two 12-pair bags of cotton crew socks from Hanes every year, $12/bag. One bag is white socks, the other black. I usually wear the whites while bicycle riding, jogging, etc. Black socks are for work, but may occasionally wear them while riding/jogging. By the end of the year the white ones are usually looking kinda dingy and worn, and I suspect the black ones are in similar shape, so I just 'retire' them to housecleaning duty and get a new bag of each. Works for me.

I buy two 12-pair bags of cotton crew socks from Hanes every year, $12/bag. One bag is white socks, the other black. I usually wear the whites while bicycle riding, jogging, etc. Black socks are for work, but may occasionally wear them while riding/jogging. By the end of the year the white ones are usually looking kinda dingy and worn, and I suspect the black ones are in similar shape, so I just 'retire' them to housecleaning duty and get a new bag of each. Works for me.
Last edited by skidder; 02-01-20 at 08:05 AM. Reason: additions and corrections
#25
Super Modest



Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Central Illinois
Bikes: Trek Domane+x2, Trek Emonda
I like wool in the cooler months but own just about everything for summer - white, black, colors, etc. I also prefer slightly shorter socks but not too short. I'm short, too.
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