because i need capo forma socks to match my capo forma arm warmers, knee warmers and kit. duh.

I like a mid-calf white tube sock with colored bands at the top. Sure my feet sweat a bit, but that is a small price to pay to look kewl.

They breath is the big difference. Are they all that more expensive. I've paid like 12 dollars for a set of two dress socks.. Of course the material used in cycling socks is a bit more expensive. Not, that bike shops don't take advantage of us.. But, wait until they go into the end of year bin.. They'll cut the price by half.

Cycling socks are not expensive. Skip the cafe latte just one day next week and you've paid for the difference.

They do the same job marginally better. Frankly, i find 100% cotton socks fine for riding, and save my 'overpriced expensive cottonless sock money' for my running socks.

btw - cotton is fine for summer.

in winter, about the time cx gets going (now, for TX), I switch pedals and shoes from the ventilated road shoes to the heavier / warmer / roomier cx/mtb shoes. That also gives me more sock room for wool socks.

if you don't mind the fred factor, cheap dress socks are made of acrylic, which is pretty warm like wool, but unlike wool will stink to high heavens after one ride.

Not if you want to ride comfortably it isn't.

With the high humidity we have here year round...the cycling/sports specific fabric blends work much better.

I ride barefoot.
You should too.

Cotton socks work fine, as long as I'm not sweating or riding over 20 miles or so.

I'm more susceptible to hot spots in the summer, so I use either wigwam coolmax or smartwool ultralights then. In the winter I'll move to slightly thicker wool socks.

Who do you think I am? I don't drink cafe latte. And even on PBK the cheapest I can find in stock is about $7 a pair. If you don't think $7 for a pair of socks isn't ridiculous, you've been cycling too long.

I used to use the 6-pack socks from Walmart, but then started developing blisters when walking long distances with them. So ... I switched to wool socks ... also from Walmart. They are a lot less expensive than cycling socks and are very comfortable. Plus I don't get blisters when walking anymore.

The socks I've got on right now cost me about $2/pair.



(Like you Flatballer ... I think $7 for a pair of cycling socks is ridiculous!! I also think $7 for a cafe latte is just unbelievable ... I've never even touched one of those things and have no intention of doing so. My entire jar of my instant coffee is supposed to make 100 cups of coffee, and it only cost me $5!!)

I'll try the Under Armour or similar. I've been using cotton Hayes socks and they've been fine so far. But I haven't ridden in anything over 85* so far, I would probably notice in the summer. I might pick some wool cycling socks up too if my friend finds them for cheap at the swap meet.

SOCKS?..........We don't need no stinking socks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

marshalls/tjmax get some three pack underarmour ones. I think they are a polyester blend. Heck.. pick up some there that are coolmax as well.

These are the socks I bought last time and they work great for both cycling and running.

For a lot of people the difference between paying $7.00 or $4.00 for socks is negligible. But for those that can't afford the extra few dollars, just keep your eye out for sales. For example, Hammer Nutrition is having a sale November 10 through December 17 where they're selling their "cycling socks" for $2.50.

being a runner for 3 years at college and have done cycling for about a year now i will say that cycling sock are expensive for the same reason running socks are expensive. if a fool paid thousands for a roadbike having to pay tens of dollars make sense. if a runner spends 40-80 for running shorts waht is 15 dollar per pair of running socks. i know i did not.

Picked up LIN cycling socks in Logan, UT (where they manufacture them) at 3 pair for 10 bucks. Same socks sell for $9+ in catalogs.
Inflation is part of the answer for high prices . . . like what happened to 10c cup of coffee?

Ha! The Braves weren't eliminated, they moved to Atlanta.

We've got the Brewers now.

my biggest pet peeve about cycling is tan lines. i refuse to wear cycling socks or any socks that isn't black and no show. btw white socks are god aweful fugy. they really stand out and in a really bad way. black socks are just better in every way.

i bought a bunch of underarm socks on ebay, think it was 6pairs for 15bucks w/ shipping. though it was a good deal. they work well, but my feet still sometimes get wet. i dance and cycle, so my feet are extremely improtant to me. even so +8bucks for one pair of socks seems outragious. i'll pay $400 dollars for shoes and wear them on the street, but socks i'm cheap on. i blame american sock adveristing and sock deals. for winter i plan on getting woolsmart socks.

Chainlove.com

I got six pairs of CapoForma socks for $20 or something. Multiple pairs of socks are key, because if one of them disappears into the hozone, you can still make do with the rest.

The idea that cotton socks are no good for long rides is silly imo. If anything, it tells me your shoes don't fit you properly. I did many a century this year in cotton socks....no blisters, no hotspots, and my feet weren't too sweaty.

Maybe I'm just lucky.

Down in my neck of the woods, it isn't silly. It's just a fact.

And yes, you're probably just lucky.

I use the big tube socks; the ones that go up to my knees; the ones that have three colored rings right at the top. These will keep your legs warm in the winter and no tan lines in the summer; well, save the seven-inch tan between the sock and the shorts. You can buy them at the army surplus, and they come in many different colors, too. Personally, I like the green, but you can choose from a wide assortment of colors. Try and match them to your jerseys. You can even match them to your bike if you like. Oh, you can even use them for running, mowing the lawn, driving, cleaning the garage, raking leaves, working on the computer, washing the car, working in the garden, walking to the store, trimming trees, jogging--you get the idea, huh?

Let me know how you like 'em:)

thin wool socks in the summer beat the hell out of any athletic socks ive bought at target.