Hi,
For those of you who race in socks for a 70.3 (or longer)…
Do you wear socks for both bike and run? Or just the run?
What type of sock do you prefer? (cycling sock or running sock)
I’m not sure if I can bring myself to bike without socks for the 70.3 (my first)
Thanks!
I generally use socks only for the run, but I bike without socks most of the time (inside and outside if it’s warm enough).
For races, I use Swiftwick running socks. They come in a variety of ankle heights, but I like the one that goes up around 2 inches above the ankle bone. I roll that top portion down and put each sock inside my running shoe. Rolled down, it takes only a few seconds to quickly pull socks on before getting the shoes on. Elastic laces on the shoes are helpful in saving time as well.
I put socks on for the run. I will use whatever looks best with my kit. hah.
I’ve used cycling and running socks. I most recently raced in a pair of Stance socks and despite them clashing with my kit, they worked well.
In 70.3, I bike without socks and put on socks for the Run. In Olympics and shorter, I am sockless the whole way. (But, I also wear different running shoes in those distances that are designed for socklessness.)
I wear Thorlo’s ankle-height running socks. Nothing special. I am prone to blisters, and those are magic for me.
I put the socks on for the bike. If you’re going to put them on somewhere, why not do it before the bike? It takes the same amount of time either way, and in the AG race, you don’t need to worry about missing that 12m draft in the lead group or whatever.
I love to race in our VeloVetta socks 
or sometimes aero socks.
Only done 1 70.3 and I second on the Stance socks, surprisingly my favorite out of all my “tech” socks. Rode one pair on the bike and switched before the run. I’m an upper middle of the pack AG so they few extra seconds were worth the lack of blisters the next day.
Socks on the bike - aero advantage? Is it outweighed by the risk of picking up pebbles running through T1/T2 in socks?
I heard some aerotesting results of a particular athlete getting a significant benefit from aero socks. I do not know how well he held his position, etc.
I never have any issues with picking up rocks on my socks or anything…
At St. George I rode without socks and paid for it trying to run barefoot through T2. A volunteer asked if I was OK b/c I was “running” so oddly to my rack. The rocks and pebbles hurt my feet and in my feedback form after the race, I specifically asked for them to sweep T2 prior to the race for worlds. I may have softer skin than the average dude, but it freaking hurt! Primary issue for me with riding and running in the same socks is that I prefer thinner socks on the bike and thicker socks on the run…so would just rather prefer to put them on in T2 for the run and go barefoot on the bike.
That is exactly how i feel about different socks for riding vs running, but dont want to spend time changing socks twice.
(Not that I’m racing to win/qualify for anything other than myself)
I need to do some more barefoot longer rides.
I will say, I am intrigued by your socks Ed…I’m sure they are great for cycling. I’d have to try them out for running though to see how they work for me.
I’m comfortable without socks on the bike for any distance.
In T2 have them inside tour shoes ready to slip on. I use swift wick, balega, and feetures, they all make really good socks. But raced Saturday in OS1st socks for the first time. They give good compression but are not super tight and hard to get on. Also, squirt some baby powder in your socks/shoes first to help with wet/sweaty feet.
^ This. I saw this checking in my bike and put socks on for the bike. So many guys limping to their bike racks….
No socks on bike, socks on run. Swiftwick Aspire Zero. Although, I do think there is something to the aero benefit of socks on the bike. Another thing to consider is if you are going to pee on the bike that sock is going to get soaked.
Socks for the run (put on in T2). Don’t need socks for the bike, plus running through T1 and/or T2 in socks has all sorts of issues (ex. if it’s wet/muddy, damaging the socks, etc.)
For the run I’m a big fan of the Swiftwick Aspire, YMMV. They fit well, slide on quickly, and don’t give me blisters.
Regarding aero, I wear aero calf sleeves under my wetsuit (so they are on for the bike, and worth over 90sec. for me in a 70.3). I peel them off in T2 while I’m donning the socks, since I don’t like the feel of calf compression on the run.
I don’t train without socks so I never raced without socks either. Did not experience any issues wearing socks through T2 either. Swiftwick socks - mostly because they are black and and white and it goes well with my trisuit and my bike 
I’m not great/dont do the flying start, so I’ve run through T1 in my shoes. Don’t crucify me…
My biggest concern is dealing with sweaty wet feet if I go sockless on bike and develop blisters. I’ve never had blisters on my feet ever until this year from stupidly wearing poor running socks a few times. Between toes. BTW - bought some toe socks and they have been amazing.
I’m mostly over it, but dont want that on race day.
Maybe the babypowder after bike helps prevent it while making socks easier to get on.
I do exactly the same thing, My little placebo is that I prefer to take the rest after T2 then after the swim.
I use stance ankle socks in the shoes as described by nate
I’m another who goes for socks at T1.
As Rowtotri says, you’ve got to put them on at some point so why not then ?
Also in Blighty it can still be chilly at 7am so socks on just helps that little bit with the cool air on well-ventilated bike shoes.
And it just minimises the chance of blisters on the bike too (never had any so it must work🤔), so best to take that risk reduction as it comes with no penalty.
A few different makes. Always ankle socks. But I’ve been using Stance recently. And before that the double layer WrightSocks (but a bit harder to get on in T1 without wrinkles when feet are still damp).
Socks on both. I wear WrightSocks which are very thin double layer socks which prevent chafing. This is especially important if you like to douse yourself with water which gets socks wet and can result in chafing.
I roll them up like little condoms and they slide up my foot in seconds, even when feet are wet.
I keep a second pair in my run bag. If they’re drenched I’ll change them for a fresh pair in T2. For full IM, I’ll keep a 3rd pair in my run special needs back and sometimes change again. It only takes 3-5 seconds. And the difference between blistered feet and not is likely 1-2 minutes. And on a full IM, it feels AMAZING To put on a fresh pair of dry socks. It’s like I get a second wind and my pace picks up at least 15 seconds per mile.
I have no idea why MOP and BOP AG athletes don’t wear socks. I’d wear socks even if I was trying to KQ. Comfortable = faster and more fun. What a way to ruin a great day and months of training… painful blisters which were easily avoided.
Yes for socks. Bike and run. In my mind I will give up 30 seconds to put socks on in T1 to outweigh the risk of blisters and lack of comfort which would probably add up to beyond 30 seconds over the course of a 4-6 hour race.