I'd like to get some mid-weight ankle high socks for biking - not thin ones like golf "ped" socks but also not thick padded ones like Thorlo - anyone have any suggestions for a source ? thanks in advance for your thoughts .

You're probably gonna get flamed for the ankle socks thing because this is the road cycling forum and these things matter, but I'll offer some cover:

I've never understood what makes a cycling sock any different than any other sock.

REI has lots of smart-wool socks in various thicknesses and heights. They advertise these for running and hiking, but they seem to work just fine for cycling too. Lots of different colors and designs to choose from. I mostly just wear those for cycling now, and have some heavier weight versions for winter riding, and lightweight versions for summer.

My favorites are from Swiftwick in the the Pursuit line (which are a merino wool blend). They're lighter weight on the top of the foot, but the bottom/toe/heel area has thicker, but very soft napping. The come in varying cuff heights, as denoted by the number (Pursuit 4 has a 4" cuff, etc). Expensive, but awesome.

Runner up would be from Smartwool, in the "Light Elite" weight, which can be tough to find. Similar to the Swiftwick with targeted padding in the bottom/toe/heel areas.

Another vote for Swiftwick. Definitely my favorites. However, I have a narrow foot. A buddy with wide flippers says they feel too tight for him.

You don't want cotton or you'll have stinkfoot.just like you don't wear cotton briefs.

Honestly and "sports" sock will work.

I think that modern tall cycling socks look stupid in addition to producing a stupid looking tan line. Short ankle socks can be as simple as the black fruit of loom socks that I got for about $1 a pair at Walmart to the $10 per pair swiftwick aspire ones that I also have. The Walmart socks are not cotton and have worn amazingly well.

https://swiftwick.com/products/aspire-one?variant=10908878471211

Cycling shoes that I've had and tried are pretty padded or if not, then well shaped for my feet. So ideally thin is better for me. I do like the compression that Swiftwick gives to my feet. And IMO, feet are the only thing that need a little compression when cycling. Shorts, bibbs and jersey's are only supposed to be snug enough to be form fitting.

Jezuz, he must have some really wide feet - I've got wide feet and they're bliss.

Then again, he might be talking about a different Swiftwick line. The Pursuit (merino) don't have half the compression of the Aspire (Olefin). I don't like the Aspire as much, they're less cushioned and don't feel as luxurious, but they do come in some gaudy bright colors that I like.

You could also try https://darntough.com/collections/mens-running-socks

I wish I could say Swiftwick, but I lost the one pair I tried out on the first day I used them by accidentally leaving them mixed up with some towels that I threw into the towel laundry bin at work. And yes, they were red, but I never saw any pink towels later, not that there's any guarantee that there aren't any floating around.

I also have cycling specific socks from Pearl Izumi, Pactimo, and DeFeet. All disappointing from a durability standpoint. I've switched to Darm Tough socks, with the light and ultra-lights being are a bit tight around my toes so I size up, but otherwise seemingly much less prone to holes and pilling.

I picked up some Gore bike wear socks on sale somewhere and they are my favorite so far. The only socks I've ever had that had a left and right designation. I also have some Switwick that are very good but I like the Gore socks better.

For colder weather, I have some Endura merino wool blend socks that I like.

I run/cycle in Swiftwick Aspires. Never had a blister even after a marathon. The wife uses Swiftwick Maxus. Opposite ends of the cushion/compression spectrum. There are 1 or 2 between those as someone mentioned. Can't go wrong with Swiftwick. She has some Balegas as well.

That being said, if you have Marshall's/TJ Max stores in your area, you can find something there on the cheap that will work. OP should take the shoes he/she will be wearing for the try on if possible. One of the reasons I wear the Aspire is because it makes the fit of my running shoe of choice just right. I used to wear the Vibes, but I switched the brand of shoes. The Aspires make for a better fit now. I think I have a pair of Aspires in every solid color they've been made.

I think he tried the Aspire socks, which are the same ones I use. I like the squeeze on my narrow feet, and cushion isn't really a factor for me. That said, maybe I don't know what I'm missing with the Pursuit socks.

+1 for no more ankle socks, that ship sailed a couple of years ago. Kind of a bummer since I have a bunch of formerly cool socks from events, etc.

I wear the Sock Guy socks. Not too expensive, decently long lasting and forget about them comfortable. And, simply because I love how they feel and I never regret it, I wear REI silk socks under them year round. (Climbing on the fix gear is a level up in ordeal for feet over anything you are ever going to do on a geared bike. The fix gears are half my riding, I sometimes change my mind about fixed vs gear when I get to the garage, so always wearing the silk liners keeps me covered and I never regret it.)

I got these off Amazon, not expecting to like them, but gave them a whirl with an Amazon card I was given for my Birthday. I found that I really like them. I would have liked the first set to be just a tad shorter, but I found it did not really matter in the end. The second group I really like the feel and height very much.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got some really nice fake Sidi socks off AliExpress. Perfect length and nice elastic. 10$ for 3 pair.

Just order them 6 months before you need them. (Really about 2)

Ankle length is pretty easy to find really cheap options, eg
https://www.sierra.com/mens-active-socks~d~9888/

I have socks from...DeFeet, SockGuy, Castelli, Rapha, Swiftwick, Twinsix, and RidgeSupply. Oh, and Handlebar Supply.

Personally, I think what you get heavily depends on what you want. Clearly we all want something different. Price, materials, visual design, etc- all vary widely.
My favorite for comfort are a couple pairs of SockGuy socks that are a mix of threads with a small bit of wool I think. They have some wild graphics though(unicorn pooping a rainbow and a rastafari sasquatch).
DeFeet and Sockguy typically have wild graphics.

My favorite for appearance are the RidgeSupply, Swiftwick, and Ridgesupply. Black sock with modest color design is my default preference and these brands have good options which fit that preference.


But really- they are socks. I dont think about them after I put on my shoes. If they stay up on my leg(all of em do), then Im happy.

Darn Tough or Cabot & Sons make a really great sock. Love the wool blend ones. Sometimes Sierra Trading Post has them on sale. Not cycling specific, but a great sock.

Thanks for all the great replies , after reading them all and watching the video I may re-think the length criteria - I got use to wearing a Thorlo ankle sock because my old Shimano road shoes ( bought in 2003 ) were stretched out a bit and my feet are narrow - it appears that the current trend is for socks to go just below the calf muscle - I now have a lot of options and suppliers to check out - I also just got a pair of Shimano shoes and they're much more narrow and streamlined .

Ridge Supply, Ornot and La Passione are my favorites. Ridge Supply are made by Defeet and vibrant (but attractive) for safety. Ornot has really nice subdued merino socks. La Passione are traditional thin (but durable) cycling socks in tasteful designs with no logos.

I'm finding that I prefer 4"-5" cuff length as a balance between the "old days" and the current trend for longer socks (which I don't care for the look of).

I feel pretty much the same way and with a 4" - 5" cuff length I could use them for golf as well .