I’ve read several articles and seen videos talking about aero socks, especially for cycling. One of the things said is that socks break the air off your legs more quickly, making them faster.
So…, are socks just socks? Would “non-aero” socks be better than no socks?
Not a direct answer to your question, but I will say that the Silca aero socks are phenomenal socks. I don’t really care if they are aero or not. They are soft, comfortable, and fit well. Putting them on my foot for the first time brought a smile to my face.
I also have some specialized aero socks. I really don’t understand how they’d be any more aero than normal socks, but i figured since specialized has their own wind tunnel, they should be able to make a fairly aero sock with some trial and error. They are also comfortable, but less premium feeling than the Silca socks.
Do i think my socks are helping me win or lose a race? No. But, i always wear socks, so why not go with something i like.
The answer is…it depends.
Some socks fit quite tight and are quite thin and may even have some ribbing to improve flow adhesion (these will probably be faster than no socks). Many socks lack one or more of the above and may be slower (ex. loose fitting tube socks are not going to make you faster).
By definition, socks increase the frontal surface area of the leg (since they have non-zero thickness), so they need the right texturing to reduce pressure drag to compensate for this and for the increased surface drag created.
I don’t have tunnel data on this (if someone does, please chime in), but my educated guess (based on calf sleeve testing) is that non-aero socks are at best neutral vs. shaved legs and probably marginally slower.
@Titanflexr. Thanks. This is what I was wondering and answers my question.
I’ve read several articles and seen videos talking about aero socks, especially for cycling. One of the things said is that socks break the air off your legs more quickly, making them faster.
So…, are socks just socks? Would “non-aero” socks be better than no socks?
35 second savings over 4 hours with calfguards doesn’t have me running out to buy them at 17.5 seconds over a 2 hour bike on an IM 70.3.
Socks are socks as much (or as little) as trisuits are trisuits
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Ok, ok it’s a gravel setup, but still timely and quantitative (@9:17)
https://youtu.be/N2_dey84MKY
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Ok, ok it’s a gravel setup, but still timely and quantitative (@9:17)
https://youtu.be/N2_dey84MKY
I have so many questions about this video. The numbers don’t really make sense in several scenarios, and quite frankly, Dylan does his normal shitty job of trying to explain things.
Waiting for DesertDude to chime in, but he’s said several times, if you’re not testing, you’re guessing, especially with socks. I remember him saying several times that sock A vs sock B vs sock C vs sleeves vs skin is highly YMMV in what’s fastest for you when tested in the tunnel, with little carry over from one person to another.
Ok, ok it’s a gravel setup, but still timely and quantitative (@9:17)
https://youtu.be/N2_dey84MKY
I have so many questions about this video. The numbers don’t really make sense in several scenarios, and quite frankly, Dylan does his normal shitty job of trying to explain things.
One thing I dislike about aero testing like that they rarely ever point out that those numbers only apply if you spend the entirety of the ride in the wind. Drafting changes everything.
Have you heard the new ‘the Match Box’ podcast that DJ is doing along with a few other coaches? The others are overly sycophantic towards DJ and for the most part, their explanations of some of even the simplest things can be cringeworthy.
Waiting for DesertDude to chime in, but he’s said several times, if you’re not testing, you’re guessing, especially with socks. I remember him saying several times that sock A vs sock B vs sock C vs sleeves vs skin is highly YMMV in what’s fastest for you when tested in the tunnel, with little carry over from one person to another.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS x 1000 x 1000
Waiting for DesertDude to chime in, but he’s said several times, if you’re not testing, you’re guessing, especially with socks. I remember him saying several times that sock A vs sock B vs sock C vs sleeves vs skin is highly YMMV in what’s fastest for you when tested in the tunnel, with little carry over from one person to another.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS x 1000 x 1000
Agreed that without testing it’s (educated) guessing.
Socks are a pretty safe bet. Probably going to wear socks of some sort for a TT. Some data shows no benefit to aero socks, a lot shows a benefit, very little shows a loss. They’re like $15 on amazon. That’s a better risk/reward than probably any other piece of cycling equipment.
Compare to other aero funsies like the POC Tempor. $450 for something that has is highly variable, slowing some riders as much as it helps others. That’s a bad bet.
Nobody says that you have to keep everything you buy. If you buy and try and is slow, sell it.
Actually, aliexpress has some legit quality aero socks and covers nowadays. The original “aero sock†texture thing is old as dirt nowadays. There is no longer a true innovation claim there. Same for more basic shoe covers. Only the newest of new might have a margin advantage over $2 socks off ali.
Ok, ok it’s a gravel setup, but still timely and quantitative (@9:17)
https://youtu.be/N2_dey84MKY
I have so many questions about this video. The numbers don’t really make sense in several scenarios, and quite frankly, Dylan does his normal shitty job of trying to explain things.
One thing I dislike about aero testing like that they rarely ever point out that those numbers only apply if you spend the entirety of the ride in the wind. Drafting changes everything.
Have you heard the new ‘the Match Box’ podcast that DJ is doing along with a few other coaches? The others are overly sycophantic towards DJ and for the most part, their explanations of some of even the simplest things can be cringeworthy.
I think you have to break it down into simplest terms. Perhaps in a pack you’re not going to see as much gain, but there’s still something there, especially in positions. There’s a ton of flaws in this whole thing like most of what “DJ” produces. I’ve not listened to “the Match Box” as I generally ignore anything he puts out as he loves to cherry pick to support his point of view.
One of the first things he said was “I was pretty sure I knew everything I needed to know about aero, until this test” That kind of sums him up. Guy has a big following, but also a bad case of Dunning-Kruger.
Waiting for DesertDude to chime in, but he’s said several times, if you’re not testing, you’re guessing, especially with socks. I remember him saying several times that sock A vs sock B vs sock C vs sleeves vs skin is highly YMMV in what’s fastest for you when tested in the tunnel, with little carry over from one person to another.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS x 1000 x 1000
Agreed that without testing it’s (educated) guessing.
Socks are a pretty safe bet. Probably going to wear socks of some sort for a TT. Some data shows no benefit to aero socks, a lot shows a benefit, very little shows a loss. They’re like $15 on amazon. That’s a better risk/reward than probably any other piece of cycling equipment.
Compare to other aero funsies like the POC Tempor. $450 for something that has is highly variable, slowing some riders as much as it helps others. That’s a bad bet.
Yes to both of these statements. The typical aero socks are likely to be faster than a knit sock and almost certainly not slower (unless they fall down).
The POC can be hyper fast, but also complete shit if your head’s not right.
I’ve always been iffy on sock aero gains in triathlon, especially since generally during a race one ankle has a massive timing chip on it which probably ruins any gains to be had. The couple I’ve had I wouldn’t want to run in, so I’ve just stayed away for now.
I pick socks that are comfortable, don’t blister in, and look cool. For me that is swiftwick. For you it may be something different.
I’ve always been iffy on sock aero gains in triathlon, especially since generally during a race one ankle has a massive timing chip on it which probably ruins any gains to be had. The couple I’ve had I wouldn’t want to run in, so I’ve just stayed away for now.
I pick socks that are comfortable, don’t blister in, and look cool. For me that is swiftwick. For you it may be something different.
Looking cool is always good for an extra watt or two. 
I’ve always been iffy on sock aero gains in triathlon, especially since generally during a race one ankle has a massive timing chip on it which probably ruins any gains to be had. The couple I’ve had I wouldn’t want to run in, so I’ve just stayed away for now.
I pick socks that are comfortable, don’t blister in, and look cool. For me that is swiftwick. For you it may be something different.
That’s where the calf guards come in. I haven’t seen any testing around the ankle bands, but I can see a case where a tight enough calf guard smooths the airflow similar to a latex tube around a timing chip. Either way, there’s little reason to suspect that an ankle nad on the bottom inch of the leg has a big effect on the remaining 6-18 inches. FWIW I usually tape over the timing chip anyway so the old velcro doesn’t come off, and maybe helps smooth it out too. Probably a placebo.
Ok, ok it’s a gravel setup, but still timely and quantitative (@9:17)
https://youtu.be/N2_dey84MKY
I have so many questions about this video. The numbers don’t really make sense in several scenarios, and quite frankly, Dylan does his normal shitty job of trying to explain things.
Dude man… chill out and stop hating. He got 3200 likes already on a very technical video. Dylan does not ever claim to be an engineer, so he is just relaying the info that the wind tunnel engineers provided him.
As for the technical accuracy of his video he is correct on what he states. This is coming from an acutal professional engineer (myself).
Ok, ok it’s a gravel setup, but still timely and quantitative (@9:17)
https://youtu.be/N2_dey84MKY
I have so many questions about this video. The numbers don’t really make sense in several scenarios, and quite frankly, Dylan does his normal shitty job of trying to explain things.
Dude man… chill out and stop hating. He got 3200 likes already on a very technical video. Dylan does not ever claim to be an engineer, so he is just relaying the info that the wind tunnel engineers provided him.
As for the technical accuracy of his video he is correct on what he states. This is coming from an acutal professional engineer (myself).
Congrats on your degree. How much time have you spent in a wind tunnel? I’ve been doing this since 2011 and have 30 hours in so far this year on several different projects. The number of “likes” don’t really confirm the how good or bad the video is, just that people subscribe to his channel. Hambini is an engineer too, and much of his stuff regarding aerodynamics are crap too.
Edit: Do you know the ins and out of the ARC tunnel? Did you know they have no way of confirming positions are maintained from run to run? Did you know that if the head angle is changed run to run you could have a delta of more than 10 watts? If you trust the data presented here, good on you. I for one don’t.