I’ve been doing Ironman’s for a while now. (13 years). Just recently started noticing more socks on the bike. Recently I noticed a handful of guys wearing cycling socks(the ones that are cut to about 6inches above the ankle) at Ohio 70.3. These were FOP guys. Guys that were coming off the bike in the top 30 overall. I’m wondering why. Especially since a high cut sock is more difficult to put on fast than a low cut one. I was thinking that this was purely for looks, that they wanted the ‘cyclist look’? Or is there another reason?
More Aerodynamic ?
Isn’t that what people shave their legs for?
Because it takes at most 5 seconds to put socks on if you have them rolled so you roll them on like a sock condom. I wear WrightSocks (very thin, two layers) which make it essentially impossible for me to get blisters, even if my feet are completely soaked from torrential rain or dousing myself all day in water/ice. I also apply body glide to the inside of the socks. I used to apply it to my feet in T1, so the socks probably actually save me time in T1.
I wear Vaporfly shoes, which completely destroy my feet if worn sockless. So all in all, I essential get blister insurance the whole race, probably spend no more (and perhaps less) time in T1, and get to wear shoes that allow me to run 10-15 sec per mile faster. Seems like a good trade by my math.
I even wear socks for Olympic distance races! In a full IM, I change to a fresh pair of WrightSocks at T2, just because fresh socks feel really nice and the extra layer of Body Glide inside the sock helps too.
No. Skin is relatively slow. Which is why you see more people going to trisuits with sleeves.
If I’m going to wear socks for the run, I might as well put them on for the bike too. It’s the same amount of time, just either in T1 or T2. Plus I do 100% of my training with socks, so racing with them makes sense outside maybe a sprint/oly where every second is crucial
I would guess most people wear socks for the run. Technically, shouldn’t matter too much when you put them on, in T1 or T2, so if someone is more used to riding with socks, why not T1?
I hate socks and only wear them on 3 occasions: when I’m running (train or race), when I wear dress shoes to a formal event, and sometimes, if I remember, when I go to my in-laws’ house. In a race, I prefer putting them on in T2 as I do all my training and bike commuting sockless and I’m just used to it. I’m FOP by your definition, but rarely race anything shorter than 70.3.
Never thought of rolling them up to put them on! Thanks for the tip!
No. Skin is relatively slow. Which is why you see more people going to trisuits with sleeves.
If I’m going to wear socks for the run, I might as well put them on for the bike too. It’s the same amount of time, just either in T1 or T2. Plus I do 100% of my training with socks, so racing with them makes sense outside maybe a sprint/oly where every second is crucial
Your feet are wet in T1 and it’s much harder to put socks on wet feet. You might be sweaty coming into T2, but it’s never nearly as bad as having just come out of the water.
My cycling shoes are perfectly comfortable to be worn for 112 miles without socks, and are designed to do so (S-works Tri-Vents). So I just put socks on in T2 no matter the race distance.
I guess if my shoes weren’t terribly comfortable to be worn sockless I would deal with it in T1.
I’ve been doing Ironman’s for a while now. (13 years). Just recently started noticing more socks on the bike. Recently I noticed a handful of guys wearing cycling socks(the ones that are cut to about 6inches above the ankle) at Ohio 70.3. These were FOP guys. Guys that were coming off the bike in the top 30 overall. I’m wondering why. Especially since a high cut sock is more difficult to put on fast than a low cut one. I was thinking that this was purely for looks, that they wanted the ‘cyclist look’? Or is there another reason?
More clothes to wear = more advertising space
More Aerodynamic ?
^^ This. Socks are more aero than skin, even shaved skin. Just like sleeves on tri suits (if they fit properly…). There’s a reason the UCI has restricted sock height…
If you are going to put on socks for the run anyways, its not really added time. Higher sock can be rolled on likes mentioned above. I also turn the sock inside out, put a bunch of talc powder and then have it pre rolled ready to go on fast. the talc helps with the wet feet.
My Empires chew the living shit out of my feet without socks.
I like to start my run with fresh socks. And, my bike shoes are perfectly comfortable without socks.
Some socks are pretty damn aero and can save up to (redacted) watts
I’ve got a pair of (redacted) socks that I’m going to be wearing for all the rest of my 70.3 races this season.
Now there are socks out there that are not aero and will cost you time vs bare legs.
Choose your socks carefully ladies and gents
I wear Vaporfly shoes, which completely destroy my feet if worn sockless. So all in all, I essential get blister insurance the whole race, probably spend no more (and perhaps less) time in T1, and get to wear shoes that allow me to run 10-15 sec per mile faster. Seems like a good trade by my math.
I also found the Flyknit Vaporfly much faster to put on with socks. Using them for a sprint, I had to sit down(!) to get them on my bare feet.
I personally wear socks for all distance races, from sprint up to full IM. i’d rather not have the potential of blisters to ruin a part of the day. it takes seconds to put them on, so why not ?
I’ve lost races and podium spots by seconds, including full IMs…
Some socks are pretty damn aero and can save up to (redacted) watts
I’ve got a pair of (redacted) socks that I’m going to be wearing for all the rest of my 70.3 races this season.
Now there are socks out there that are not aero and will cost you time vs bare legs.
Choose your socks carefully ladies and gents
Just about to buy a couple pair of socks
I can be persuaded
Any brands and models you would recommend?
👋
Never in T1…because I piss myself on the bike and I don’t need piss soaked socks to deal with when I make it to the run.
Because the pros are.
…so the socks probably actually save me time in T1…
It is impossible to be faster in T1 by putting on socks vs not putting on socks.