The Great Sock Shootout of 2021

[Too Tall]

My stash of favorite Velocio signature white or black socks is showing sad signs that I need to up my game. To be completely honest I'd be quite happy to replace them with same same.

What am I missing?

[SlowPokePete]

Check TenSpeedHero.

Life's not all black 'n white...

https://store.tenspeedhero.com/collections/socks

SPP

[Peter Polack]

Cycling socks are so stupid tall now, why not just save your money and wear dress socks? No one would know the difference!

[smontanaro]

I'm sure I must just be lazy, but I look in my sock drawer and pull out a pair which looks like it will do the job for that ride. I have a lot of Smartwool and other similar socks in various thicknesses my lovely wife finds on sale at places like Marshall's or TJ Maxx. (I basically wear wool socks year 'round, except see here ——>.) I also have a handful of socks from GCN received over the course of several months from a "cycling club" membership my son bought me last Christmas. (I'm sure GCN lost out on that deal, having to send me a pair of socks from the UK every month for six months.) It says they are made in Italy (so they must be authentic!). They clearly aren't even dumb wool, but they are colorful, which I find to be an advantage when trying to make myself visible on the road. On one ride I was wearing my hi viz yellow GCN socks. I happened to pass a school crossing guard on Sheridan Road in Evanston. She was all kitted out in hi viz yellow as well. She yelled "Nice socks!" as I rode by. At least someone noticed me and avoided running me over that day.

[PaMtbRider]

Darn tough wool socks. Made in Vermont, lifetime warranty, plenty of color options if that's your thing.

[vertical_doug]

https://www.assos.com/gb/rsr-socks-95723.html

trust me on the rsr socks

[Too Tall]

Doug, I'd buy those if maybe I stand in the rain and my clown feet were to shrink a few sizes ;)

Still tabulating results...

[Matthew Strongin]

I’ve never found anything more comfortable than Defeet Levitator Lite. Snug and not slippery inside the shoe. I have some of those Velocio, Toots, and they’re great. I like the Levitator Lite more.

[swt]

I’ve never found anything more comfortable than Defeet Levitator Lite. Snug and not slippery inside the shoe. I have some of those Velocio, Toots, and they’re great. I like the Levitator Lite more.

+1 for Levitator Lite. And Defeet is MUSA.

[earlfoss]

I have a bunch of socks by Pongo out of England. Really nice stuff!

https://www.pongolondon.cc/

[Too Tall]

+1 for Levitator Lite. And Defeet is MUSA.

Dewd. Thanks, I know the XL fit from past experience.
I'll order some rat now.

[gt6267a]

don't even know why i buy other shit since i always grab these first. meanwhile, i'll probably try the pongos recommended above.

https://www.smartwool.com/shop/phd-c...ariationId=001

[KonaSS]

don't even know why i buy other shit since i always grab these first. meanwhile, i'll probably try the pongos recommended above.

https://www.smartwool.com/shop/phd-c...ariationId=001

You put these on in T1?

[dashDustin]

Levitator Lite is a solid choice.

I’ve got a bunch of socks from Wahoo, made by Le Col. Love these, too, but am unsure which mode they are.

I’ll say this about the Le Cols, too - all 4 pairs of mine are the same length. Which is important when they all look alike. Some manufacturers aren’t this consistent (looking at you SwiftWick). I went all in on another brand (cough swiftwick cough) a number of years ago and every pair of the same exact sock was a different length, by up to an inch. That was maddening. Ended up coloring parts of the SW logo in order to match proper L with proper R.

[Matthew Strongin]

Levitator Lite is a solid choice.

I’ve got a bunch of socks from Wahoo, made by Le Col. Love these, too, but am unsure which mode they are.

I’ll say this about the Le Cols, too - all 4 pairs of mine are the same length. Which is important when they all look alike. Some manufacturers aren’t this consistent (looking at you SwiftWick). I went all in on another brand (cough swiftwick cough) a number of years ago and every pair of the same exact sock was a different length, by up to an inch. That was maddening. Ended up coloring parts of the SW logo in order to match proper L with proper R.

Also, why does Swiftwick insist on only making the 4 inch model in outrageous designs vs. simple black or white in the 5s? If anything it should be the opposite. Knee socks in crazy patterns and 4s in black or white.

[roseyscot]

Bombas is making nice cycling socks these days. Comfy if you like a little thicker sock

[dashDustin]

Also, why does Swiftwick insist on only making the 4 inch model in outrageous designs vs. simple black or white in the 5s? If anything it should be the opposite. Knee socks in crazy patterns and 4s in black or white.

They make 4s in black and white.

They're just labelled as 5s, and you won't really know till 3/4" of your tanline is exposed on one leg only.

[Matthew Strongin]

They make 4s in black and white.

They're just labelled as 5s, and you won't really know till 3/4" of your tanline is exposed on one leg only.

Maybe if I buy a few pairs I can piece together a set of white 4s.

[SpeedyChix]

Bombas is making nice cycling socks these days. Comfy if you like a little thicker sock

The Merino blend ones?

[bbattle]

I'm a fan of The Sock Guy, Swiftwick, and DeFeet. . I just got a pair of DeFeet Woolies for the winter riding season. Never noticed a height difference with my Swiftwicks but mine have differing designs so they don't get mixed up. My socks get taller as the weather gets colder but there's always at least a thin band of calf showing between the sock and the knicker leg.

Most of my socks are black with some design on the ankle like a shamrock or beer mug, skull and crossbones, flag, etc. I have some red ones that match my red jersey and a pair of yellow ones with the lion of Flanders on the ankle but my yellow jersey fell apart so now I don't wear the yellow socks.