When I was a runner (jogger, really) I wore cotton socks that just came up to the ankle. Once I started biking, these seemed to do fine. Looking through Nashbar and Performance catalogs, I saw listings for bicycle-specific socks, which I thought was ridiculous overkill. After all, socks are socks.
That attitude has changed. Last Christmas, my wife gave me a red jersey, and she had to throw in a pair of red bike socks with it. It took me one ride to decide bike socks were worth having.
They’re worth having because they’re light, and thin, and their polyester yarns keep your feet so much drier than plain old cotton socks. And they’re just so comfortable! I wouldn’t ride without them now.
But I’m still not sure about some of the designs that can be found on the socks. Even the relatively tame two-tone blue ones are a bit “out there” for me.
No matter. I’m tempted to buy more pairs, and use them for activities other than biking. Cotton socks, your time is over!
Those are too high on the ankle for my taste. I roll with Champion anklets, they don’t peak out over my shoes at all. Ever see any low cut cycling socks?
I’m amazed you stayed with the cotton socks for jogging, even 🙂
I use some fairly thin Nike anklets for both running and cycling. Although I have thicker “X-Socks” (which seem to have been bought out by Gore) for cycling as well, particularly when I’m likely to be going along paths and having brambles scraping across my ankle 😀
Steve, I just didn’t know any better. The sweat-soaked socks didn’t bother me, or lead to blisters, so what the hey?
Mike, before switching to the synthetic bike socks, I used low cut Hanes cotton socks, briefly. In fact, for yesterday’s 15-miler after work, I wore a pair, since the bike socks were in the wash. I can’t use them for anything else, since they slide down my foot when I walk in them — but since the foot isn’t moving when it’s clipped into the pedals, they’re OK for the bike.
What’s better than bike socks? Bike Sandals!
I have a few socks but only about one or two pair of bike specific socks. The problem with switching socks is the impact on how the shoes fit.
But a least it is socks you are collecting and not shoes.
I like the bike socks too. Especially if I find a pair with a cool design or phrase.
Getting back on my recognizable horse, or should I say sheep, have you tried smartwool?
https://www.smartwool.com some of the most comfortable socks I have ever worn, I don’t even change them when I commute to the office sometimes.
I’m a big fan of the black Pearl Izumi attack socks. Always wear them first (if they are clean!)
I love bike socks! They are nice little accessories to my bike attire – like a different pair of earrings to compliment a dress, but I speak only for myself as a woman. I don’t recommend them for men! But back to the socks – they can be fun and a nice little fashion statement. I love to buy them from events I’ve participated in, like the Trek Across Maine or the Lobster Ride & Roll. I even wear them off the bike. Note: don’t wear white or light colored socks if you know you are going to get caught in the rain. Lighter socks can be hard to get completely clean of all the road grime that sticks to them when wet.