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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Do biking socks make a difference?

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Old 08-18-09 | 03:34 AM
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For short rides, easy rides, I doubt the socks make much difference. But l found on longer rides with temps at either extreme, decent socks DO make a difference. Wicking, and some bulk on the sole with a thinner top makes a great cycling sock. I use PI Attacks, SockGuy & DeFeet. All are reasonably priced.

Now if I can just convince my wife that they're not to be used as slipper socks, I'll be all set.
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Old 08-18-09 | 04:06 AM
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do cycling socks save a few grams?
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Old 08-18-09 | 04:29 AM
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I really like The Sock Guys Wool, they definitely make a difference. I also will wear them as dress socks when i go out. Nobody can tell the difference.
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Old 08-18-09 | 05:38 AM
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My socks make a big difference, one pair says "Cancer Sucks" and the other says "Team In Training"
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Old 08-18-09 | 05:44 AM
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Most of the time, no socks at all during the Summer. If I do wear socks I like the thin ones from Asics.
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Old 08-18-09 | 07:01 AM
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I like goofy socks. The fact that I find them comfortable while riding is also a plus.
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Old 08-18-09 | 07:47 AM
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I wear Nike and Under Armour Dri-Fit. They seem to work pretty well. I have not had a problem w/ hot feet or sweat. I think I paid $15 for 4 pr.
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Old 08-18-09 | 08:03 AM
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I wear cycling or running socks even when I am not on the bike. I like the little extra bit of compression that the sock gives to me feet, and the wicking properties are the definition of awesome. These socks are full of awesome!
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Old 08-18-09 | 08:10 AM
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I love the PI Pro socks, just the right feel and height. DeFeet also makes great summer socks. I look for them on sale ($6.99) and stock up for next season.
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Old 08-18-09 | 08:42 AM
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Good bike socks can make a difference. If they're ill fitting or made with poor materials or stitching they'll kill your feet.
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Old 08-18-09 | 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by dauphin
...trust me...capo forma...
Which model/s?


I also would like to add that I love my DeFeet cycling socks, albeit I don't know the particular model...
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Old 08-18-09 | 09:48 AM
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Originally Posted by SgtPepper64
I just got two pairs of the Specialized SL sock. Really nice. I like them better than my favorite Pearl Izumi socks.

Sure, they're not cheap at $13 for one pair, but they're so light and they dry so quick! They're made of 68% Micro Nylon, 10% Nylon, and 22% Lycra Spandex. I got one pair of white and one pair of black.
+1. I have these as well and they are very comfortable and keep my feet dry. The quality is great plus they are black with red accents and look great with my black Specialized shoes.

Thanks, Mike.
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Old 08-18-09 | 09:58 AM
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I prefer adidas clima lite socks.
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Old 08-18-09 | 10:37 AM
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I wear the Adidas athletic socks from Academy Sports and Outdoors. Never tried cycling socks, but these are miles ahead of the cotton socks I was wearing. MUCH cooler and smell less after a hard ride (assume because moisture wicks away and they dry out as you ride).

No... it has nothing to do with having adidas cycling shoes
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Old 08-18-09 | 11:43 AM
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Bike socks added 2mph to my average speed

wear what you want
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Old 08-18-09 | 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by mzeffex
Well I got some birthday money and what better to spend it on than stuff to go with the new shoes?

I was wondering if they are any different than regular socks. And if so, in a positive way? Whats so special?
Cotton socks work fine...until you get caught in the rain.
Then you will wish you were wearing a synthetic or wool.
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Old 08-18-09 | 01:30 PM
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Defeet Aeorators, team socks so there like $5
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Old 08-18-09 | 02:59 PM
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I love Darn Toughs. I have the 1493s for cycling, and summer wear. + lifetime guarantee.
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Old 08-18-09 | 03:32 PM
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All I wear are merino wool socks on and off the bike it beats everything I've tried cotton, polyester, hemp, bamboo. On the bike my preference is Defeet Wooleator for summer, spring and fall and there Wollie Bollie for winter. I have had mine for years with no sign of wear.
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Old 08-18-09 | 05:04 PM
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Originally Posted by mzeffex
I do work at a bike shop, but no, for some reason my boss doesn't like to sell clothes. We sell shorts, thats it. This is the other reason I had to pay retail (although they were a gift) for shoes, because I don't want to order shoes without trying them on.
Tell your boss to wake up!

Clothes are high margin items and they can help you through the Christmas/ winter season.

Also women tend to buy A LOT of clothes and they are far more loyal customers than men.

Try out some basic jerseys and socks. Let the number speak for themselves.



About the cycling specific socks it is not only the material but the placement of seams especially in the toe cup. That makes a huge difference in comfort.

You spent how much on shoes only to buy cheap socks?
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Old 08-18-09 | 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Shimagnolo
Cotton socks work fine...until you get caught in the rain.
Then you will wish you were wearing a synthetic or wool.
Oh man, I HATE that feeling. So much. Do the synthetic ones make that much difference? Or wool for that matter?

Originally Posted by Bob Dopolina
Tell your boss to wake up!

Clothes are high margin items and they can help you through the Christmas/ winter season.

Also women tend to buy A LOT of clothes and they are far more loyal customers than men.

Try out some basic jerseys and socks. Let the number speak for themselves.
I've tried, then I can buy more stuff cheaper . I hate the feeling of having potential of getting stuff cheap but having to pay full somewhere else. Like a derailleur, without touching it, thats not a problem to order. When it comes to clothes, it is. And according to him he hasn't had luck selling shoes. You have to have so many sizes of the same one, and it ends up being a loss. Same for jerseys.

Another reason, although he didn't say this I would assume this is (somewhat?) true: We get most of our business from people who have hybrids. Or mountain bikes used for urban stuff (Not urban freeride; communting and such). It seems most people who ride hybrids don't have clipless, don't want to wear lycra, and wouldn't be seen in a tight jersey. Just what I've noticed..

Last but not least, I think that spending $200 dollars on shoes and $80 on a jersey, and most absurdly, 180 bucks on a bib, is an extremely appauling idea for anyone but enthusiasts.
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Old 08-18-09 | 08:12 PM
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My bike shop gave me a pair of cycling socks made with Cool-max. They were so much more comfortable than the Walmart cotton-free sport socks, that I went back to the bike shop to buy 2 more pairs.
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Old 08-18-09 | 10:18 PM
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compared to other quality low cut athletic socks, they are about the same in practice.
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Old 08-19-09 | 07:42 AM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by mzeffex
Another reason, although he didn't say this I would assume this is (somewhat?) true: We get most of our business from people who have hybrids. Or mountain bikes used for urban stuff (Not urban freeride; communting and such). It seems most people who ride hybrids don't have clipless, don't want to wear lycra, and wouldn't be seen in a tight jersey. Just what I've noticed
Show you boss a clothing catalog from this century.

There is a plethora of cross-over clothing like casual shorts with pads sewn in, skorts for women, loose, baggie clothing that doesn't look like sports wear when you get off the bike...

This stuff can be found at lower price points and would DEFINITELY appeal to the hybrid/ commuter / casual rider (female) type.

Shoes can be tough. This I understand.
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Old 08-19-09 | 08:27 AM
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I also run, so I wear good running socks, and they seem comparable to the few pair of cycling socks that i have. They are a big upgrade over cheap cotton socks however..........
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