Lets talk about socks baby

Plastik

Dudes and dudettes, talk to me about socks ! I've carried out a brief search and didn't find what I was looking for. I'm new to cycling, and I've been on two runs so far - a 30k and a 40k, I'm planning on bumping this up to a 60k at the weekend as I've a little more time.

Following the 30k both my fingers and toes were raw from the cold, absolutely frozen. I picked up some gloves which did a perfectly fine job of keeping my fingers and hands warm on the 40k cycle at the weekend, but again, my toes were very very cold. Are there any socks out there that are regarded as being 'better' than others at retaining warmth down there?

Starting out, I don't have all the gear, or anything close. My kit for Saturday morning gone was a Canterbury Cold base layer, long sleeve t-shirt, zip up top, shorts (just normal shorts), runners, socks. I don't have dedicated shoes or pedals, and I'm currently using the over-the-toe type clips that came as standard on the bike.

All advice gladly appreciated!

Loving the bike so far, a Specialized Allez 16, my first road bike having not cycled for many many years. The bike suits my current level perfectly, though it's probably regarded as the 1.0 Fiat Punto of the road bike world! Looking forward to getting out and doing a few Sportives later this year once I have the mileage built up in the legs. I did the 40k at the weekend in 1hr 50, which I was mildly chuffed with!

But socks, talk to me about socks. If I'm to tack an extra 20k onto the cycle this weekend my toes are going to be next to unbearable at the end without some immediate action!

DirkVoodoo

I've actually been wearing my ski socks recently, under overshoes to hide my shame. Nice and toasty. I have yet to try the sealskinz socks (available on CRC) but I know some people swear by them.

During the summer though, proper cycling socks all the way.

Allez is a very nice bike by the way.

Perhaps consider overshoes, which go, well, over your shoes? Some are wind-proof, some are water-proof. They help during winter & spring in this country anyways. I use sealskinz myself instead of overshoes when cycling to work but that's just 10km each way, but when I go out for a decent spin again at one point in the near future I'll probably just wear normal aldi-type socks + overshoes which'll do nicely. The sealskinz are great really in terms of keeping your toes toasty, even in rain, but they feel a lot heavier and chunkier than other socks.

jwshooter

Plastik wrote: »

Dudes and dudettes, talk to me about socks ! I've carried out a brief search and didn't find what I was looking for. I'm new to cycling, and I've been on two runs so far - a 30k and a 40k, I'm planning on bumping this up to a 60k at the weekend as I've a little more time.

Following the 30k both my fingers and toes were raw from the cold, absolutely frozen. I picked up some gloves which did a perfectly fine job of keeping my fingers and hands warm on the 40k cycle at the weekend, but again, my toes were very very cold. Are there any socks out there that are regarded as being 'better' than others at retaining warmth down there?

Starting out, I don't have all the gear, or anything close. My kit for Saturday morning gone was a Canterbury Cold base layer, long sleeve t-shirt, zip up top, shorts (just normal shorts), runners, socks. I don't have dedicated shoes or pedals, and I'm currently using the over-the-toe type clips that came as standard on the bike.

All advice gladly appreciated!

Loving the bike so far, a Specialized Allez 16, my first road bike having not cycled for many many years. The bike suits my current level perfectly, though it's probably regarded as the 1.0 Fiat Punto of the road bike world! Looking forward to getting out and doing a few Sportives later this year once I have the mileage built up in the legs. I did the 40k at the weekend in 1hr 50, which I was mildly chuffed with!

But socks, talk to me about socks. If I'm to tack an extra 20k onto the cycle this weekend my toes are going to be next to unbearable at the end without some immediate action!

iv a pair of BBB over shoes there cheep and work .

jwshooter

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I've actually been wearing my ski socks recently, under overshoes to hide my shame. Nice and toasty. I have yet to try the sealskinz socks (available on CRC) but I know some people swear by them.

During the summer though, proper cycling socks all the way.

Allez is a very nice bike by the way.

iv a sealskinz hat it does not work as the water will just run on it , the soxs will be the same .

Captain Havoc

I wear BBB waterproof overshoes, €30 odd and sealskinz socks (love these). Hey JW, do ye only have BBB down in WX also, everything here in KK is BBB? An aul winter cap helps the head also, I wear a BBB one that cost €14

Plastik

What are the delivery times like of CRC and Wiggle? If I order tonight would the stock reach me in Dublin by Friday? If not then I'll have to find a solution in either Cycleways or Cyclelogical. Cycleways only seem to carry two types of overshoes.

CRC - yeah, would probably be here by Friday. Wiggle - comes from another island so probably not. But they may come early or late, if you definitely need them on Saturday perhaps just fork out for them?

abcdggs

crc should arrive in two days, they have certainly been the quickest in my experience

Plastik

Any opinions on the quality (or lack) of these: BBB Heavy Duty Overshoes, Endura Luminite Overshoes, and Exustar Lycra Overshoes? Or I'll gladly take suggestions as to any other specific model?

ednwireland

sealskinz and pro endure overshoes for me kept my feet warm on sunday, sealskin socks are fine as long as the water isnt runing down your legs into them (same for anything really).

Bikerbhoy

Plastik wrote: »

What are the delivery times like of CRC and Wiggle? If I order tonight would the stock reach me in Dublin by Friday? If not then I'll have to find a solution in either Cycleways or Cyclelogical. Cycleways only seem to carry two types of overshoes.

Yeah if you order tonight or by latest say middayish tomorrow you might get delivery wednesday depending on how busy they are but for sure delivery Thursday..... Friday worst case.

Has been 2 day delivery on everything I have ordered say in the last year anyway

ACTUALLY JUST THINKING ....ORDER TONIGHT IF YOU CAN

jwshooter

Captain Havoc wrote: »

I wear BBB waterproof overshoes, €30 odd and sealskinz socks (love these). Hey JW, do ye only have BBB down in WX also, everything here in KK is BBB? An aul winter cap helps the head also, I wear a BBB one that cost €14

BBB ,its not bad gear for the price, i done 118k sat week and the toes were grand .

i bought a ski head band in aldi ,now thats ideal also the ski soxs are warm . but i love my smart wool.

you down my way lately

uberwolf

Bikerbhoy wrote: »

Yeah if you order tonight or by latest say middayish tomorrow you might get delivery wednesday depending on how busy they are but for sure delivery Thursday..... Friday worst case.

Has been 2 day delivery on everything I have ordered say in the last year anyway

ACTUALLY JUST THINKING ....ORDER TONIGHT IF YOU CAN

they're royal mail under 75quid which is regular 3 day post, and haven't turned anything around for me in fewer than 3 days in my three orders over the last 3 months

jwshooter

i bought a ionas of wiggle a week form order by post . crc the day after,but they messed me about on a other item as they did not have the product i ordered in stock .

Plastik

Ok, placed an order with CRC tonight for the BBB Heavy Duty Overshoes and some Cyfac Yuss Winter socks! Here's hoping that they arrive before the weekend, and made the required difference!

petethedrummer

Plastik wrote: »

Starting out, I don't have all the gear, or anything close. My kit for Saturday morning gone was a Canterbury Cold base layer, long sleeve t-shirt, zip up top, shorts (just normal shorts), runners, socks. I don't have dedicated shoes or pedals, and I'm currently using the over-the-toe type clips that came as standard on the bike.

I suffer from cold feet so I wear a thin pair of thermal socks 1st, then very thick hiking socks, then cycling shoes, then overshoes.

If the long sleeve t-shirt you have is cotton I wouldn't wear it on the bike. It will retain your sweat and possibly cool your core down. A long sleeve football jersey would be better if you have one.

It would also help if you wore some long cycling leggings, this will help keep your feet warm. AFAIK your body tries to keep your core warm first and your extremeties last. That's why people get frost bite on their toes and fingers.

The sooner you get the lycraed up the better though.

Turbulent Bill

Plastik wrote: »

Ok, placed an order with CRC tonight for the BBB Heavy Duty Overshoes and some Cyfac Yuss Winter socks! Here's hoping that they arrive before the weekend, and made the required difference!

Bear in mind that overshoes are generally sized for cycling shoes, so if you have thick-soled runners they might be a tight fit. CRC take returns anyway.

Pete's suggestion about layering is good - I'd go for 2 or 3 thin pairs of socks rather than just one thick layer. Incidently, I've found my SPD shoes to be much colder than runners, though they are more comfortable on the bike.

Plastik

Cheers guys, some good novice advice being offered here. Fingers crossed the gear from CRC arrives before the weekend. The runners that I have been wearing so far are fairly slight Adidas ones so are not much if any bigger than a dedicated shoe I hope. Plan for the weekend is two pairs of socks min and the overshoes. Hopefully that will all help!

damoz

I have those BBB heavy duty overshoes and i find them very good. 70km in 3/4 degress last weekend and no problems - compared to frost bite the previous weekend without them !

If you are using these with runners and flat pedals i would be wary though. the material on the sole which has cut outs for cleats etc will at best wear quickly on the pedals, or at worst cause you to slip on the pedals. If i were you, and considering you have a nice bike there, i would look at getting road shoes and SPD-SL pedals. Not only will you be warmer, but also stronger and faster.

Just my 2c.

Plastik

Something like these Shimano 105 SL pedals, Damoz? Combined with Shimano R076 SPD SL boots?

All of the above are on the list of things that I am aiming to pick up at some point over the coming months. Getting out on the bike and being reasonably comfortable at the same time is my number 1 priority at the moment though. Is there any general advice in terms of buying road shoes? Is it advisable to buy a size up on your regular size or should the same size be bought?

damoz

Plastik wrote: »

Something like these Shimano 105 SL pedals, Damoz? Combined with Shimano R076 SPD SL boots?

All of the above are on the list of things that I am aiming to pick up at some point over the coming months. Getting out on the bike and being reasonably comfortable at the same time is my number 1 priority at the moment though. Is there any general advice in terms of buying road shoes? Is it advisable to buy a size up on your regular size or should the same size be bought?

Freaky - thats the exact pedal and shoe i have !!

With the benefit of hindsight, i would try the local bike shop first for shoe size and style - it took me a return or 2 to get the right size - definitely small fitting - wearing a 45 now - normally a 43/44 in shoes.

The pedals you can buy online without any concerns. Ive had no issues with those, and find them comforable and easy to clip in/out.

I am far from an expert, but some of the others on here might give you different advice.

djbproductions

Hiya Plastik .. did you get the Cyfac Yuss socks yet & if so would you recommend? I have been looking at getting them also.

Plastik

djbproductions wrote: »

Hiya Plastik .. did you get the Cyfac Yuss socks yet & if so would you recommend? I have been looking at getting them also.

Hey, not arrived yet - I'm hoping they will tomorrow. If they do then I'll post up Saturday night how they fared

Paul Kiernan

Have you never heard the expression ... "if your feet/hands are cold, wear a hat"? I would think your core is cold and so your extremities are suffering!

BTW, I ordered from CRC yesterday afternoon and it arrived by Parcelforce 24 today:). It was only a £35 order but was heavy (a litre of degreaser, pedals and a bevvy of tubes). Might be worth adding something heavy to every order!

jwshooter

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

Have you never heard the expression ... "if your feet/hands are cold, wear a hat"? I would think your core is cold and so your extremities are suffering!

BTW, I ordered from CRC yesterday afternoon and it arrived by Parcelforce 24 today:). It was only a £35 order but was heavy (a litre of degreaser, pedals and a bevvy of tubes). Might be worth adding something heavy to every order!

CRC very quick , wiggle a week by post .

Plastik

CRC package arrived yesterday, impressive stuff!

blorg

damoz wrote: »

I have those BBB heavy duty overshoes and i find them very good. 70km in 3/4 degress last weekend and no problems - compared to frost bite the previous weekend without them !

Even a light overshoe will work wonders, most cycling shoes are very well ventilated and most of the warmth comes from simply blocking this off. I have the light BBB Waterflex ones and even though light there is a major temperature difference with/without.

Jip

I've found my over shoes fine but not as good as the sealskinz socks. Although I haven't been on the bike as much as I'd have liked since Christmas I've been wearing them all the time doing cross country running. My biggest worry was that due to the waterproofing and layers my feet would get all sweaty immediately but not at all, they stay toasty and dry, even though my runners themselves are soaked, and stay drier than a regular pair of running socks when running on the road.

Plastik

djbproductions wrote: »

Hiya Plastik .. did you get the Cyfac Yuss socks yet & if so would you recommend? I have been looking at getting them also.

Got on pretty well today with the socks & overshoes combo. My toes became cold again, but nowhere near as cold as they had been on the previous spins. They may also have gotten cold as a result of the bitter temperature at 9 this morning and the fact that I'm wearing shorts with exposed legs as opposed to tights.

abcdggs

Plastik wrote: »

I'm wearing shorts with exposed legs as opposed to tights.

are you mental?

Plastik

Lol, I actually find it fine in the shorts, though they're probably the cause of my cold feet at the moment!

djbproductions

Plastik wrote: »

Got on pretty well today with the socks & overshoes combo. My toes became cold again, but nowhere near as cold as they had been on the previous spins. They may also have gotten cold as a result of the bitter temperature at 9 this morning and the fact that I'm wearing shorts with exposed legs as opposed to tights.

Plastik .. thx for update on socks, I will more than likely will buy a pair of the Cyfac Yuss socks via CRC as I have Sidi MTB waterproof boots but they tend to be a bit cold with normal cycling socks. I am sure I will need them with latest cold snap & snow! I always wear winter tights when its below 4oC to keep my core temp up, especially now that I just came through my last chest infection (took a week to clear with anti-biotics & then steriods .. subscribed by doc just incase anybody thinks otherwise). I know my legs have nothing to do with my upper body, but I still believe its best to cover most areas from the wind chill. My last great purchase was the Specialized Subzero gloves, expensive but the best pair of cycling gloves I have ever worn. They come in 2 seperate parts, outer waterproof glove and inner warm glove.