Commuter Cycling Etiquette - Socks?

RufusA

Now that the warmer weather is upon us, what is the correct etiquette for sock wear, with shorts and shoes (assuming you haven't got a snazzy pair of SPD Sandals)?

Namely what colour(s) are de regeur or a terrible faux pas.
What length of sock?
Should they be worn pulled straight, rolled , or sruched?
Does the nature of the short (lycra vs baggies vs plus fours) make a difference?

Rufus (petrified of being pointed and laughed at, like the first day in primary school when I wore garters)!

redvee

Socks that are rainbow banded up the legs to your knees with your toes in their own 'fingers' when you wear sandals, any other time wear a pair of fishnets in a bright garish colour so you stand out and car drivers can't say 'SIDSY'

dirk_van_gently

RufusA wrote:

Rufus (petrified of being pointed and laughed at, like the first day in primary school when I wore garters)!

Go on Ebay and do a search on the word "Life", and see if you can find one? :P

Underscore

I wear lycra shorts and find that, only for commuting mind, the socks normally worn with kilts work well. That's because you then have an excuse for also wearing a sgian dubh, which can be invaluable when you become involved in a WVM incident!

BUICK

There's a guy on my commute who wears red tights under his baggies - I reckon that's a good look. Personally I'd second the kilt-hose though. They just look tough - nobody's going to mess with a highland hero

Belv

Dirk Van Gently wrote:

RufusA wrote:

Rufus (petrified of being pointed and laughed at, like the first day in primary school when I wore garters)!

Go on Ebay and do a search on the word "Life", and see if you can find one? :P

Quite!
You already cycle to work so 95% of the people who see you think you are certifiable (the other 5% are friends, family and other looneys on bikes). Wearing something that confirms their suspicions might even improve your safety by encouraging them to give you a wide berth. Wear whatever you want to wear - YOU'RE NOT AT PRIMARY SCHOOL ANYMORE SO THERE'S NO UNIFORM!

patchy

mmmm stripey socks...

Agent57

I wear those "shoe liner" things, or just short socks. I suppose you could also roll a pair up and stuff them down your shorts to impress the girls. The front of your shorts, mind.

attica

I went on a club run recently and heard a guy being berrated for "not wearing white socks", frankly I wanted to go straight home and turf all of my white socks out of my sock drawer and straight into the bin in response.

don't normally use L33t but "FFS"

dirk_van_gently

Attica wrote:

I went on a club run recently and heard a guy being berrated for "not wearing white socks"

I think it's a roadie thing, they obviously couldn't find "Life" on ebay.

Surf-Matt

Any old socks will do.

For me - thin Bridgedales work best.
Then a pair of surf board shorts, a T shirt (old) or a base layer (when it's cooler), MTB mitts, SPD shoes (without cleats and very non cycle looking), a Giro hat and a smile.

phil_ss1

White socks :shock: How 70's! Threw all mine out years ago.

I use the ankle height socks with shorts (any colour as you can't see them) and black one when I've got the winter Ron Hill's on.

mmm, just re-read the above - How sad do I sound!!! :roll:

Just don't wear anything that comes 1" above the ankle

Phil

krushgroove

I wear white socks for commuting, but only running socks that are either super short (e.g., don't appear above the shoe) or normal length and bunched down a bit. Not a big deal for riding on-road but I'd want to find black ones if I were doing the MTB thing.

I thought this thread was going to be about the etiquette of storing smelly socks in the office! I have Dr Scholl's shoe spray deodorant for my socks and shoes, and Boots deodorising foot spray

hoathy

krushgroove wrote:

I wear white socks for commuting, but only running socks that are either super short (e.g., don't appear above the shoe) or normal length and bunched down a bit. Not a big deal for riding on-road but I'd want to find black ones if I were doing the MTB thing.

wow, you have put alot of thought into this haven't you?
I tend to wear which ever 2 socks i find first, usually one on each of my feet.
Unless i am going to a job interview (which i don't normally do by bike) in which case I try to find 2 black(ish) socks.

tardington

Underscore wrote:

I wear lycra shorts and find that, only for commuting mind, the socks normally worn with kilts work well. That's because you then have an excuse for also wearing a sgian dubh, which can be invaluable when you become involved in a WVM incident!

That is a... strangely fascinating image. Is it, uh, cosy?

hoathy

I x-rayed a guys foot who was wearing kilt socks the other day, i don't know why he felt the need to tell me they were kilt socks though??? its seemed a bit like he loved them...

cpt_spalding

As long as the left one matches the right one you should be fine.

This works in most situations, not just cycling.

JonBurns

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... er%20Socks

(Warning may offend)

Or Argyle Socks

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... le%20Socks

SmellTheGlove

Borderline t*sser on the way to a wedding perhaps?

hoathy

SmellTheGlove wrote:

Borderline t*sser on the way to a wedding perhaps?

No, he seemed like a nice guy. Its not actually the first time I have seen people wearing them when injured, i think maybe they have good ankle support properties, or maybe its a freak coincidence...

tardington

Well, if you can get a sgian dubh in them... why couldn't you fit a ouncture repair kit in, instead?

Actually, that may be a great idea! :shock: