Socks
 

Has anyone here tried socks from NLZ? Certainly cheap but is this a case of "you get what you pay for"?

http://www.nlzwear.com/rbrsocks.html

What should be looked for in a cycling sock? I've been wearing your basic Hanes low cut athletic sock which is fine for my 10 mile commute but think I'd prefer something cycling specific for hot summer weekend rides.

I ride with no socks. It's a habit I picked up back in the early 1980's when only dorks (ie freds) used socks.

The world has changed but I haven't, at least when it comes to socks...I still size my shoes for sockless.

They look good. I switched from cotton socks a few years ago and love the difference. The cotton ones just turn into big sponges. The type you're looking at will wick sweat away and keep things drier. They are slimmer, so if you already have a roomy shoe, it's gonna get roomier.

Spend the money for good wool socks. You'll be happy.

/thread

Really, it gets no better than good wool socks.

My sister gave me a pair of Smartwool Cycling socks for Christmas! They are by far my favorite socks to ride in no matter what the temperature. I rode in them mountain biking in July and road riding early spring. They do a nice job of temperature regulation and the criss cross stretch across the top keeps them in place while riding.

Good socks make a huge difference.

In the mountain-hiking world (my other activity) we have a saying: "Cotton kills". Maybe not so much on a bike, but try peaking a 19,000 foot mountain after 7 hours of exertion, sweating into cotton that is now freezing onto your body ... and you'll see what they mean.



To the OP: Those socks are retailing at $10? Expensive. I get mine from REI or my LBS for about $7.

Their MSRP is $10 per pair but it's almost certainly an inflated price that they never actually sell for. They are selling them for $2.50 per pair at the link in the first post.

You're right - I didn't read the site properly.

$250 is a very good price- if the product is good. I'm not familiar with NLZ, but they may be okay.

I tried to buy a few, but it wants a coupon before I can get the discount. My price, $10. :(

If you don't want to buy socks, try the Specialized Trivent Elites :)

It's tough to go back to cotton after wearing some good merino wool socks, on or off the bike; I think that I've replaced all but two emergency pairs of non-wool athletic socks.

+++1 smartwool socks.

Are Smartwool socks are good for both summer and winter (well, Los Angeles "winter")?

No socks ever? weather on or off the bike? Since it's been about thirty years, I say you give socks another chance! Try it. You'll like it!

excellent for year round riding. I get thicker ones in the winter, but yeah, these really are the best. I also have some DeFeet socks which are pretty nice too.

The SmartWool sock I have are too heavy for summer riding. I'll have to look around for thinner summer-weight ones.

I have a pair of PI socks that are specific for right and left that are my favorites. A couple of pairs of Hincapie's are good, too. Have some of the DeFeet socks, but don't like them as much. It seems like the seams are more noticable on them and I'm sensitive to that.

Thinnest socks i can get. my shoes don't allow anything more. i've done barefoot when i've forgotten but not by choice.

You really need look no further than your local Ross/Marshall's or the like. While cycling-specific socks are nice, they are entirely overpriced. I got a couple of six packs of Timberland no shows, dri-fit/wicking material and supported arch for what came out to be $1 a pair.

Musta been hard to clip in!

I have a few pairs of SmartWool ultra-lights - they're very thin, no napping (flat weave). I like them, but the toenail on my big toe cut holes in to them in a little more than a summer, and it wasn't just a case of me needing to clip my damn nails.

My favorite all around socks are the Swiftwick Merinos. To me, they feel great any time of the year (but I wear shoe covers under 40 degrees, or so).

I prefer the "high cut" or the 3 inch cuff, as opposed to the typical 1.5 inch cuff.

Yes.

Back in the day, we wore wool all over (jersey, shorts, and socks) year round, but with global warming the synthetic shorts and tops are just fine. But on the feet wool's still the best, and Smartwool's socks are so much better than what we used to have. I like the PhD Cycling Ultralights because my shoes fit snug.

Unlike synthetics, wool wicks moisture while it's still vapor, so wool socks don't get soggy with sweat.

I'm a big fan of Smartwool also.

$10 cycling socks are not expensive. Those are actually pretty reasonable. They make cashmere cycling specific socks (Why exactly?) that go for about $60 a pair.