The cyclists' clothing has long since stopped being a simple sports attire. An arsenal of technical clothing is available to anyone who wants to acquire garments conceived and manufactured to favor the highest performance without neglecting the design.
What was only within reach of the highest professionals has become accessible to all types of cycling lovers who want to train and compete dressing quality accessories. Socks are a perfect example of that evolution.
Anyone who has spent a few hours giving pedals on top of a bicycle knows that even the slightest detail of the bicycle and the attire that we carry becomes enormous importance.
Using good socks is as important as using good gloves or appropriate sunglasses.
Foot adjustment to the shoe, key
Yes, the shoe makes contact with the bicycle thanks, in most cases, to automatic pedals. But what allows the foot to stay without difficulty in it? Correct, our socks.
This importance of the adjustment is decisive to make each of our pedaling efficient, but also
It is key to avoid friction and feared blisters. At present, the vast majority of cycling socks have no seams precisely to avoid the effects of constant friction on different parts of the foot.
They are responsible for perspiration
Our feet are one of the body parts that has the most sweat glands (about 250,000 in each one, if you are curious about the data). That is why these extremities take one of the worst parts during the long pedaling days.
Excess moisture can cause problems such as ampoules formation.
If the heat generated inside the shoe is added to the emission of sweat by the force with which it is printed on the pedaling, we understand why
It is essential that our cycling socks offer good perspiration.
Excess moisture can cause problems such as ampoules formation and cause discomfort in combination with cycling shoes. Therefore, it is not strange that brands put a great emphasis on ensuring that their socks are effective to keep the foot dry.
Moisture control can be achieved with natural and synthetic fibers, but the latter are the most common. The ability to have higher concentrations of hydrophobic fibers (those that repel moisture) allows sock to handle sweat much more efficiently. While natural fibers, such as Merino wool, usually offer notable humidity retention levels (around 7 %), there are synthetic fibers that do not go from 1 %.
Synthetic, light and bacteria -proof fibers
The synthetic fibers with which the vast majority of cycling socks are manufactured today in benefits to the natives. Lighter and with greater perspiration effect because their fibers are hydrophobic, polyester and nylon are great allies of sports.
Although they are very absorbent,
They have the advantage that they do not accumulate sweat and keep their feet dry, which helps keep the heat of the feet.
Another advantages of synthetic fibers is that they prevent the proliferation of fungi and bacteria. If, after a long cycling day, you withdraw the socks and you just appreciate bad smell, they blame them.
Wool socks for winter
Cycling socks made of Merino wool are the best option for your pedaling in cold climates. It is a great insulator, but it is also light and soft, which contributes to a perfect adjustment for cycling shoes. Wool fiber catches the incoming air and blocks the cold before it reaches your feet. It also regulates the temperature of your body by absorbing and then evaporating moisture.
On the other hand, the Lanolina that contains the Merino wool acts as a bacteria repellent, so the socks made of this material will not have a bad smell after use. In short, a very good performance material for cycling.
Less padded, better
Cyclist socks are created thinking about cycling shoes: they must be thin and hug their foot. In general, padded socks do not work well.
Some sports socks, such as those used to run, have a generous padding strategically placed throughout the sock to help with the absorption of impacts.
In general, padded socks do not work well in combination with cycling shoes.
However, in cycling things are somewhat different. When riding a bike, the foot is placed in a unique and stable position, so the thinnest and most tight socks are more beneficial. This allows the technical characteristics of the sock to work in the best possible way.
What is sought is a pedaling as efficient as possible, allowing to save valuable energy by providing a greater tactile response and, as a result, a better power transfer.
Excessively padded socks, or excess movement of the feet inside the shoes, are usually guilty of blisters and other discomfort.
The appropriate height
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Image: Getty Images.[/caption]
In its regulations, the ICU introduced a rule in 2018 that requires that the maximum height of the sock does not exceed "half of the distance between half of the lateral malleolus and half of the head of the fibula." To understand us, without covering half of the calf (more or less). And this, to avoid any type of marginal power gain.
For those who are not professionals, the ideal height will depend on our personal preferences and, why deny it, fashion. The options in the market are diverse. There are cycling socks that barely appear below the ankle. There are low cane (about 14 cm), half cane (18 cm), high cane (23 cm) and very high cane (30 cm). At present, the tobiller socks are no longer styled, being those in half cane and cane the most demanded by the cyclist who want to be up to date.
A fun complement
Cycling socks are a good way to have fun and show personality. It can be tempting to prioritize originality when choosing cycling socks, but style should never prevail over quality, comfort or performance. Fortunately, many cycling socks comply with all performance criteria, while setting a trend in fashion.
The general rule is that your cycling socks can be of any color or pattern, provided they do not unravel with the rest of your cycling equipment. There are those who choose to buy them in fluorine colors, but let's say that trends do not walk in that direction. This does not mean that your socks do not stand out. In fact, well chosen, they can be the best ways to add dynamism to your
look.
And the compression stockings?
The stockings that constantly compress the legs to the knee or to the hip (according to the model) arrived a few years ago to cycling from the world of running.
They have supporters, who defend that it favors blood irrigation and helps the recovery of the muscles because it contributes to more oxygen to them. But this textile accessory is not missing the detractors, who do not trust their alleged properties of the garment and blame the benefits, or supposed benefits, for the placebo effect.
The truth is that there are no scientific studies that relate their use with measurable improvements, although there can be the possibility of helping cyclists with specific leg circulation problems.
Image: Getty Images.[/caption]
In its regulations, the ICU introduced a rule in 2018 that requires that the maximum height of the sock does not exceed "half of the distance between half of the lateral malleolus and half of the head of the fibula." To understand us, without covering half of the calf (more or less). And this, to avoid any type of marginal power gain.
For those who are not professionals, the ideal height will depend on our personal preferences and, why deny it, fashion. The options in the market are diverse. There are cycling socks that barely appear below the ankle. There are low cane (about 14 cm), half cane (18 cm), high cane (23 cm) and very high cane (30 cm). At present, the tobiller socks are no longer styled, being those in half cane and cane the most demanded by the cyclist who want to be up to date.
