Do biking socks make a difference?
 

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?

I bought some, although I was quite skeptical. I have to say they've made a significant difference. During the summer I ride in 100F+ on my commute home almost everyday. My feet were always the most uncomfortably hot part of my body. Now that wrap my tootsies in a fancy-shmancy cycling sock, they seem to stay as regulated temperature wise as the rest of my body.

My .02

Strictly a comfort thing for me. Regular socks are just too thick and don't feel right with good bike shoes.

Comfort/wicking is beyond awesome.

My feet were generally on the sweaty side, the socks completely changed that.

You'll get sores and stuff because your feet are swimming in sweat with normal cotton socks.

I wear really skinny road socks (dunno what they're made of) in the warm months, and then in the winter I wear wool (warm, but doesn't absorb sweat).

If you're used to wearing cheap department store socks, they'll make a big difference. If you already wear quality socks that are made for sports (running, for instance), they won't make any difference at all.

You can buy any number of Nike/Reebok/Adidas socks at your local sporting goods store that all wick the sweat away (check the fabric blends), and you can buy them in bulk packs and save a lot of money (and often not have silly graphics on them).

You can even choose the height you want, from no-show to slight rise to full rise above the ankle and more.

But yes, anything is better than a 100% cotton sock when doing any kind of activity that makes you sweat.

I picked up several pairs of the SmartWool cycling socks this year and have really been enjoying them.

I forgot to mention, as others have, you don't have to get the expensive ones. I use some Performance brand things that were on sale for like $2 each. Not cheap for socks, but pretty cheap for cycling socks. Plus they don't have graphics (except a small 'P'), and they come in colors to match your kits.

Ok, so I went and looked, and they're the Performance Team ones. No cotton, and they're $7 on sale, $8 normally. Kind of expensive I guess for socks, but I like them.

Alright I think I'll look into them. The specialized BG ones are $15, which seems like a LOT of money to spend on socks. For one pair. Thats like 12 pairs for what I wear now :D. Anyone have experience with these?

+1, I would also add they help vent your feet to keep them cool during the summer

This

I've tried them all and the absolute most comfortable cycling socks are made by Capo Forma...period.

I'll order them later this week then!

Don't you work at a bike shop? Does it sell clothing as well? If so, why are you so suprised at the price? Why aren't you asking your co-workers these questions?

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.

I swear to god, my absolute favorite socks (and I've tried MANY, MANY pairs - mostly for running though) are the polyester socks that they sell at Wal-Mart. They're rock-bottom cheap, hold up great, and work 100% as well as the uber-fancy ones I've tried.

I put these thru the wringer as a runner too - I ran (not biked) 80-100 miles per week for several years for most of the year, and these were my go-to socks at all times. I bailed on all my Wrightsocks, Nike socks, Adidas socks, etc. and preferred these in the end.

I'm rocking them on cycling now for 5-6 hour bike rides every Saturday, and have had no problems.

...trust me...capo forma...

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.

Thinner, wicks away sweat, better cushion (depending on price/quality).

I have DeFeet, CapoFormas, and some wool socks. I prefer the wool socks over the other two. They have a great feel, don't capture odor as easily, wick sweat away better, keeping your feet cooler on those hot summer days. Wool is very versatile; can be worn in all seasons--important if you do not live on the West Coast.

Downside is that wool is more expensive and higher maintenance than generic, synthetic socks.

I am a total comfortable sock fanatic. And yes, socks make a huge difference.

When it comes to socks, I hate synthetics, I love wool.

Socks in my order of preference:

1. Sock Guy Wool
2. DeFeet Wooleator
3. SmartWool Cycling Ultra Light

I'm such a fan of socks that we give a pair of these to everyone who goes on a bike tour. Wool socks, made by Sock Guy.

Bike socks are mostly just thin synthetic or wool socks. Do you like thin socks? If so, you'll like bike socks. If you don't because you find thin socks to not give as much moisture or shock absorption as you like, you can use a slightly thicker or even moderately thick athletic socks. I use the Fox River AXT (short length) socks. Perfect for me, awful for others.

As petty as it may seem, socks are one more issue in road cycling where you are "supposed to". You're supposed to set your handlebar as low as possible. You're supposed to run a double. You're supposed to run 700x23's. You're supposed to wear thin socks. You're supposed to..

they do make a big difference. I personally like the Smartwool Ultra Light socks but my all time sock is the Wigwam Ironman socks, can be found at REI..

http://www.rei.com/product/696684

DeFeet and SmartWool are my two favorites. Department store athletic feel like rubbish compared to wool...

+1 for capo forma. I wear them even when I'm not on the bike, they're so awesome.