I like the Wigwam Ironman sock.
Is that not a cycling specific sock?
They wouldn’t continue making them if you were the only one buying them. Socks are a competitive market and realistically, there are many socks that work just fine for cycling. I do think Wigwam socks in general are of good quality, and suitably thought out - but you can get decent cycling socks for $2 or $3 a pair. They may not be of Wigwam quality, but there is no reason to pay for more than you need.
I’m currently using UA charged cotton, low cut. $20 / 6 pr. I’m pretty picky (well my feet are), and I can’t wear anything that has any sort of tightness in the arch. It seems like EVERY sock these days provides some sort of proclaimed “arch support”. Zero out of 1000 of those work for me.
Why do you wear socks?
They wouldn’t continue making them if you were the only one buying them. Socks are a competitive market and realistically, there are many socks that work just fine for cycling. I do think Wigwam socks in general are of good quality, and suitably thought out - but you can get decent cycling socks for $2 or $3 a pair. They may not be of Wigwam quality, but there is no reason to pay for more than you need.
you can wear anything, but i really do appreciate a good cycling sock.
for all of you, if you voted “other” what are you voting for?
and if you voted “don’t care” is it because you truly don’t care, or you haven’t been exposed to various cycling socks enough to know which you should vote for?
That’s a longish story of an undiagnosed complex nerve problem in my feet—essentially I would develop fire like pain in the soles of my feet after standing for short periods. Initially thought to be plantar faciitis, but also diagnosed as tarsal tunnel syndrome, neuromas, and other more complex and mysterious syndromes over the years.
It developed about 10 years ago. At one point it was so bad that I couldn’t stand for more than about 10 minutes. I saw countless doctors of all kinds (podiatrists, orthopedists, neurologists, immunologists, etc) during the ensuing several years. I had numerous treatments for all manner of ideas, none of which worked…most of which made it worse. In the end no one ever figured out what was wrong, nothing was ever fixed, and I just learned to manage it. I could walk (maybe a mile at a time), but I couldn’t run or bike (even super easy) without lighting the fire (so to speak). I couldn’t swim because the nerves were so “activated” all the time, that I would immediately develop debilitating toe and calf cramps within minutes of entering the water. I found during all this that extra cushioning on my feet helped manage the problem. I also found that any tension in the arch of the sock just lit my feet on fire within 30 minutes of putting them on (even with my feet propped on the couch). So, I began wearing double plain old tube-socks day-2-day.
Fast forward 10 years later…magically one day, I noticed that I didn’t seem to have many symptoms anymore. I found that I could ride the bike (easy trainer rides) without problems, and I could walk longer distances (2-3 miles). I’ve spent the last 2 years easing back into things, just accepting what my feet are willing / able to do. 2 years in, I’m running 35+ mpw (BarryP style), swimming 10-12k (4-6 days a week), and biking 150 mpw. I’m now poised to compete in an Oly in September, and a second in October…which will complete my return to endurance sport. I’m not the athlete I was 10 years ago, but I’m not stuck on the couch!
I did all that on stupid doubled up walmart tube socks, because I still cant wear any kind of the “cool kids” socks (that still fill my sock drawer…to this day) with that tight arch support elastic. But, sockless feels like my feet are being slapped repeatedly. In an effort to not look so noob-ish (even though I’ve been at this since the early 90s), I’ve tried every semi-technical sock I can get my hands on that wicks moisture a little better than walmart tubes. I think I’m probably on a hit-list at Amazon by now for all the returns I’ve sent back. I finally found the UA Charge Cotton socks mentioned above in a local big-box sporting goods store. They are quite comfortable, have enough cushion that I can wear a single layer, and NO arch support. Contrast that with the v2.0 of the same sock…I can’t wear them AT ALL (v2.0 added…you guessed it…arch support).
I tried to keep it short, but “because that’s what works for me” seems too flippant, and the above really is “the short version”.
Who knew socks could elicit so much verbiage?
you can wear anything, but i really do appreciate a good cycling sock.
So do I…it kills me that I can’t wear any of them.
for all of you, if you voted “other” what are you voting for?
See above.
I truly do not like a good cycling sock, but hate a bad one! I almost always wear socks and 95% of them work for me.
What makes a good cycling sock for you?
A bad sock for me just is not smooth on the foot.
I voted other but I wear Wigwam Ironman socks. I’ve been wearing that brand since I got a free pair at Eagleman in 2004
I truly do not like a good cycling sock, but hate a bad one! I almost always wear socks and 95% of them work for me.
What makes a good cycling sock for you?
A bad sock for me just is not smooth on the foot.
for me, a good cycling sock - 3/4 crew - is the best sock for everything. cyclists have it over running in apparel in general, and socks are no exception. i like a fair bit of compression in the sock, form fitting, i don’t like the sock to move around on my foot, i don’t like bunching in the toe area, and i don’t like a lot of cushion. i like low to moderate cushion. i’m not that particular about material. wool is fine, polypro is fine.
i like sockguy’s SGX and i’m going to get some swiftwick aspire 2 and aspire 4 in 1/4 crew to see how i like them.
the older style cycling socks, with no form to them, no compression, just thin ankle socks, i don’t like them. i won’t wear them. but the newer socks like i describe above, i wear those for cycling and running. i don’t much like running socks for running.
+1 Wigwam Ironman Triathlete Pro Quarter in black. These are basically the only socks I own and need; wear to work, running, cycling, racing etc… Just ordered 10 more pairs and that will last me another few years.
if you voted “other” what are you voting for?
Hot days - Rapha Pro Team socks
Cooler days - Rapha Brevet Socks
Being a bike racer, I spend a lot of time in team kits (so I’m generally in Panache apparel). I like the Rapha socks enough that I spend the money and stock up on them. The brevet socks are great for much of winter (with overshoes) through to spring (or fall). In the summer I’m in their Pro Team socks where possible.
Swiftwick Seven. I have four pairs and I wear absolutely nothing else.
Also, don’t be afraid of wool!
for all of you, if you voted “other” what are you voting for?
and if you voted “don’t care” is it because you truly don’t care, or you haven’t been exposed to various cycling socks enough to know which you should vote for?
Smartwool
Although I was tempted to vote “don’t care” as I’ll typically wear what I can find for cheap that is thin material wise. I really can’t tell much of a difference when I’m biking whether it’s smarwool, darn tough, fitsok, balega, sock guy, etc.
+1
Swiftwicks in any ankle length. Great for everything (cycling, running, work) except puppets.
I voted I dont care because I buy whats at my lbs. Sockguy,Defeet,Endura, and wool LL Bean socks in winter.
X-armour UA undeniable mid crew. Perfect length and has some cushion. Have become impossible to find.
for all of you, if you voted “other” what are you voting for?
Rapha, TwinSix, CompresSport
I was formerly SmartWool for everything, they seem to breakdown easy in the wash now. I tried Darn Tough and they wer absolutely great. And the lifetime replacement is awesome.
They wouldn’t continue making them if you were the only one buying them. Socks are a competitive market and realistically, there are many socks that work just fine for cycling. I do think Wigwam socks in general are of good quality, and suitably thought out - but you can get decent cycling socks for $2 or $3 a pair. They may not be of Wigwam quality, but there is no reason to pay for more than you need.
you can wear anything, but i really do appreciate a good cycling sock.
for all of you, if you voted “other” what are you voting for?
and if you voted “don’t care” is it because you truly don’t care, or you haven’t been exposed to various cycling socks enough to know which you should vote for?
The best cycling sock I have found is the Aerocoach socks. They don’t tend to tghten around my toes like regular socks. For some reason they are just plain comfortable on top of providing a pretty good aero benefit.
At 45$ they are way too expensive for anything but racing, but you didn’t have any qualifiers.