Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) => Topic started by: jags on July 01, 2014, 05:18:02 pm
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lads i need to buy new cycling socks its been that long since i bought some i've no idea whats best, ::)
anyone got any ideas and a link please.
anto
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jags,
i gave up wearing socks for Lent, at least that is what I told people who asked ;)
julk.
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Anto,
If you were here on 'Merka, I'd urge you away from the ones I bought to use on tour. They smell like Death...or rather, my feet do. Their previous ones were fine, but even fresh out of the laundry, after three minutes' wearing, I'm awfully glad my feet are as far as possible from my nose. If only it would kill mosquitoes, I wouldn't mind the odor but I now fear it attracts them.
For proof...watch me get eaten alive while wearing them: https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0B4oEGx6B0gzBWlpEZHIyTnZtMWc/edit
Best,
Dan.
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I didn't know there was such a thing as cycling socks! What magical properties do they have?
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Egads, Dan! You should get some kind of blood donor award or something! That really looks brutal!
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;D ;D buch of comedian's.
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I didn't know there was such a thing as cycling socks! What magical properties do they have?
I usually cycle mine through the wash. Once, sometimes twice a week.
Best,
Dan. (... :D )
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i give up ::)
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I bought a pair of merino wool socks ( In Tasmania ) and the shop owner in Sorrell said 'They'll be the best pair of socks you've ever had' Fast forward 10 years plus and I wore them this very evening for my local ride. He wasn't far wrong.
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thanks in4 i'll sus out them,i have a pair of sealskinz waterproof not very practicall for this time of year ;D ;D.
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Awfully hard to beat wool. Miss mine, wish I had them now.
Best,
Dan.
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Anto,
If you were here on 'Merka, I'd urge you away from the ones I bought to use on tour. They smell like Death...or rather, my feet do. Their previous ones were fine, but even fresh out of the laundry, after three minutes' wearing, I'm awfully glad my feet are as far as possible from my nose. If only it would kill mosquitoes, I wouldn't mind the odor but I now fear it attracts them.
For proof...watch me get eaten alive while wearing them: https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0B4oEGx6B0gzBWlpEZHIyTnZtMWc/edit
Best,
Dan.
Perhaps there is a healthy microbial population?
I started carrying a 1 oz (30 ml) bottle of chlorine bleach to use as an emergency water purifier, 2 to 4 drops per liter should do for most bad water sources. If you have access to any chlorine bleach, you might want to try soaking the socks in some water with perhaps a double dose of bleach (4 to 8 drops per liter) for an hour? That should kill off any microbes that are causing your odor problem.
A good soak of the shoes may also be in order. If I recall, you had trouble finding a good shoe pedal combination, so soaking the shoes may not be practical if you have to ride with them the next day. When I tour, I use pedals with SPD on one side, non-cleated other side (Shimano M324) so I can wear any shoe on my pedals. When my bike shoes have been soaked I have toured with regular shoes while the bike shoes dry out.
Source of my dosage info:
http://water.epa.gov/drink/emerprep/emergencydisinfection.cfm
I have heard that natural fibers (cotton, wool, etc.) are less likely to smell, thus this is one more vote for wool. On my recent tour, I used thin wool socks over thin synthetic liner socks, the two layers were for better padding. I washed them in the sink every afternoon or evening, they rarely were dry enough the next day so it was a good thing I had several extra sets.
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Another vote for wool. I've got DeFeet Wooleator. Here in Canada they're only $14 a pair and they wear like iron. They do a good job in the odor control department.
I see you can get them from Wiggle.
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+1 for merino, Smartwool make some nice ones but not cheap.
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This thread is an education, almost like Air Force boot camp again.
I must be terminally old-fashioned. I wear pure cotton on the bike, in layers I can put on and take off as required, with leather shoes.
Cotton wears like iron, to steal a phrase from up-thread, and looks so smart that I've been asked by small boys at the supermarket why I dress like the ladies, meaning the young housewives who turn out in leggings with one of their husbands' business shirts over. Next they'll be asking me for proof of age at the liquor store...
I've cotton to thank for all that. Highly recommended.
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Perhaps there is a healthy microbial population?
Of course, the odor must originate with bacteria, and I think it is the fabric content that is to blame. Given the character of the odor, I suspect polypropylene is present. That was billed as the next "miracle fabric" of cycling in the early 1980s and I can still Remember the horrible smell that caused this material to be abandoned for cycling jerseys. Unlike wool's absorbent fibers, polypropylene trapped sweat in the weave, where it soured.
When I change to my one pair of different socks, the odor is no longer in the shoes, thank goodness (otherwise, I think I'd have to burn them after my tour ends!). Good suggestions all, mickeg; thanks.
It will definitely be wool again for me on my next tour.
Best,
Dan.
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Anto, I'd look at merino wool, for comfort & breathability. I have a circulation problem, so I need to wear compression socks. A lot of the time, I wear nylon-based knee socks, "empire-builders", as they're known in Southern Africa (Andre will smile, I know.)
In my search for Socks That Work Really Well, I've found a source in the US, Swiftwick. They make a range of socks for sports, different sizes, different fabrics. The best I've found are their merino socks. For me, I use their knee-high items -- cycling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, running, motorcycling, in all 4 seasons. They're pricey (USD35 a pair) but they're the most comfortable socks I've ever worn. And they're durable.
Swiftwick do make ankle-high merino socks which fit cycling shoes very nicely, & I wear those occasionally as well.
Icebreaker, the NZ firm, also make merino cycling socks. (Icebreaker has one of the world's best puns: each of their items has a baa-code identifying the source of the wool.)
One of the best things about merino is that it hardly stinks at all.
Hope this is helpful, & good luck.
J.
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Thanks John and everyone else.yes i'll lok to see where i can buy marino.
i checked chainreaction they don't seem to have them i'll shop around no matter.
cheers
anto..
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http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/ie/bridgedale-mens-coolfusion-trailhead-sock-3c110300?id_colour=123.
what do you reckon on these look pretty good well made. ;)
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http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/endura-baabaa-merino-socks/rp-prod51316
....and a winter version. Have two pairs of above and a pair of winter ones. The best material. You don't need anything else.
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I recommended wool above for touring.
This thread is an education, almost like Air Force boot camp again.
I must be terminally old-fashioned. I wear pure cotton on the bike, in layers I can put on and take off as required, with leather shoes.
Cotton wears like iron, to steal a phrase from up-thread, and looks so smart that I've been asked by small boys at the supermarket why I dress like the ladies, meaning the young housewives who turn out in leggings with one of their husbands' business shirts over. Next they'll be asking me for proof of age at the liquor store...
I've cotton to thank for all that. Highly recommended.
But around home I use cotton. At home, the long drying time is not a problem, I have a clothes dryer and at home I can use the washing machine instead of hand washing in a sink. But for touring I think cotton takes too long to dry.
A side note - why do most campgrounds have sinks without drain plugs? I carried a generic sink drain stopper on my last tour, it was indispensable.
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Anto I know you're careful with the cash :D so go here and pick some own brand Merino socks http://www.on-one.co.uk/c/q/clothing/footwear/socks
Happy tootsies
Ian
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Anto I know you're careful with the cash :D so go here and pick some own brand Merino socks http://www.on-one.co.uk/c/q/clothing/footwear/socks
Fabulous find, Ian. That's a good price for wool.
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http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/ie/bridgedale-mens-coolfusion-trailhead-sock-3c110300?id_colour=123.
what do you reckon on these look pretty good well made. ;)
Not a high enough merino percentage in those.
60% merino would be a minimum for me.
I'm a big Icebreaker fan but their socks and other stuff is pretty expensive these days.
Smartwool are not as good.
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ah for god sake i ordered the baa baa from chainreaction.
ian just about 15 seconds to late with that link.the wife wont let me use the credit card again .
huh lets hope that baa baa sheep had a good life i need these socks to last. ::)
anto.
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Sorry I was late to the thread Anto ???
Andre, On One are THE value for money retailer: good stuff, good service, good price. Yorkshire folk tha' knarrs.
If you like Merino this is both THE BEST GARMENT and THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY GARMENT I have ever had the pleasure of owning (not a sock though!)
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CLOOMCELS/on-one-merino-core-element-long-sleeve-with-zip-200g
Wooly days (every day)
Ian
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Thanks for the heads up anyway Ian,i'll shop there another day hopefully.
anto.
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My, that is a nice looking pullover, Ian. Makes me wish dearly OnOne was closer to me!
Best,
Dan.
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I've never had much luck with Icebreaker I'm afraid, had two jerseys and both fell apart after a couple of years use although I did wear them quite a lot. Chocolate Fish seem to get good reviews so may try them next time. Every time I put a man made top on now it feels horrible or maybe I'm getting nesh in my old age.
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I recommended wool above for touring.
But around home I use cotton. At home, the long drying time is not a problem, I have a clothes dryer and at home I can use the washing machine instead of hand washing in a sink. But for touring I think cotton takes too long to dry.
Yeah, I overlooked that. Thanks for pointing it out, Mick. I'm a credit card tourer, never more than a single shirt and one pair of clean socks and underjocks from home, and the landladies of the sort of guest houses I stay in are very accommodating about chucking one's clothes into the washer and dryer with the family's.
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I've never had much luck with Icebreaker I'm afraid, had two jerseys and both fell apart after a couple of years use although I did wear them quite a lot. Chocolate Fish seem to get good reviews so may try them next time. Every time I put a man made top on now it feels horrible or maybe I'm getting nesh in my old age.
The older Icebreaker stuff was better, I'm still wearing a top I bought in NZ in 1999. Other tops which have had a lot more wear still lasted a good ten years before developing holes in the elbow and at the neck where the zip is attached. Like other outdoor clothing firms they got caught up in fashion rather than function and also moved manufacturing to China instead of NZ and quality suffered.
Still good stuff though but overpriced.
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Yeah, I overlooked that. Thanks for pointing it out, Mick. I'm a credit card tourer, never more than a single shirt and one pair of clean socks and underjocks from home, and the landladies of the sort of guest houses I stay in are very accommodating about chucking one's clothes into the washer and dryer with the family's.
When you try to dry out your socks by attaching them to the top of your handle bar bag or the tops of your panniers where you get some air flow, you start to realize the importance of material that dries quickly. That is also why I often use thin liner socks with thin regular socks instead of one pair of thicker socks, thinner socks dry faster.
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thank god we never get much rain here in sunny ireland so no wet feet or socks. ::)
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thank god we never get much rain here in sunny ireland so no wet feet or socks. ::)
Tweed socks are the answer. The rain just runs off them. Donegal tweed is best. I have a hat and a scarf made in Donegal from unwashed sheep (that's what defines "tweed", that the sheep are unwashed) and they've never been wet on the inside.
"Sheep that get wet on the inside are no good." -- Wise old Donegal shepherd
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when i placed that order the wife thought i bought at least 6 pair, ;D ;D for the price.
she freaked when i said it was a quality pair of marino socks,that just made matters worse ::)
ah well onwards and upwards as the man said.
anto,
tweed might just be the answer andre. ;)
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Get yourself a tweed bike while you're at it http://www.adventure-journal.com/2012/03/the-daily-bike-march-20-2012/
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Get yourself a tweed bike while you're at it http://www.adventure-journal.com/2012/03/the-daily-bike-march-20-2012/
The mechanicals show wear, so he rides it. I wonder how he keeps the tweed clean. Good tweed has impressive dirt-repelling qualities, but not city road grime or chain grease.
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Anto I know you're careful with the cash :D so go here and pick some own brand Merino socks http://www.on-one.co.uk/c/q/clothing/footwear/socks
Happy tootsies
Ian
Good prices, shame their L/XL socks are only size 8-11 which I would call M/L and no use to me. >:(
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tweed what will they think of next,real posers bike i reckon. ::)
anto
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tweed what will they think of next,real posers bike i reckon. ::)
More honest than that pininfarina you put up, though. A real workingman's bike.
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;D ;D ::)
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newsocks just arrieved look good feel great.
excellent service from chainreaction.
anto.
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newsocks just arrieved look good feel great.
excellent service from chainreaction.
Never a truer word spoken. There's a reason Chainreactioncycles is the favourite bike store of experienced Irish cyclists, besides the free delivery, which is already a very good reason. It is their fabulous service, including returns up to a year from purchase.
But sometimes I wish their selection would be just a little less geared to the BMX/roadie side of things, and a little more towards the touring/utility bikes.
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i filled in a questionair from them during the week and i said exactly that.they need to cater for the audax and touring cyclist.hopefully they will ;)
anto.