The case for black socks...and orange patent leather shoes.
[rule number=28/]
Science has proven that people who wear crazy socks are smarter than those boring snooze factories who wear simple plain socks. I know the data supporting the claims is legitimate because I read it on LinkedIn. Also, when I say “read”, I mean that I glanced briefly at the title while simultaneously performing several other critical activities like checking YouTube for videos of uncoordinated animals and what the weather is like on Mars.
Rule #28 stands out amongst the others as a particularly vague swan for the reasons outlined in the above article, which I assume are that in a world of limited and regimented acceptable conventions in gender style choices, socks present an opportunity to fly our Freak Flag and throw in a few pieces of flair without upsetting the boss, partner, or parents. Even though every Velominatus, the most dedicated and elite of the Cycling Aesthetes, holds white socks in the highest regard, there should always be room for other choices within the Cyclist’s daily style program.
Despite the implication on my intelligence, my own sock choice is rather understated and dictated in part by the employment of the Orange Damsels – my beloved custom orange patent-leather Bont Vaypors. These shoes already make a bit of a statement themselves, so my sock choice needs to be solid and carefully coordinated in order to avoid a conflict between my ankle and foot decorum. For instance, the orange hi-vis DeFeets I ride on the road in bad weather don’t quite match the orange of my shoes, pulling the choke on the ol’ OCD engine. I have therefore allowed myself to wear socks in any color so long as they are either black or white.
The case for white socks is already clear and does not need to be revisited. The case for black socks, however, begins with the principles laid out by Rule #8, wherein the colors of satellite components should normally be matched to their nearest adjacent contact point on the frame. It then follows by extension that the same is true for kit: assuming the mandatory black bibs, black socks bridge the gap between them and whatever shoes you might be wearing. Much like matching the cuffs to the collars, matching the socks to the bibs to black provides a uniform platform from which to build your style program.
Go bold with the choice of socks if you must, but remember to always keep it classy. And, if in doubt, build a solid foundation of color from which to build.
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@Ron
I've been riding fi'zi:k R3's for the past couple of years. Love them. I wore Sidi Tecnos (the originals) years ago and they feel about the same fit-wise. They're Italian so you have to expect more narrow than wide.
And on the subject of socks ...
All right… this thread just keeps getting better and I think we all knew it was only a matter of time before @chuckp came along to put things in to perspective. It's all good fun yes. But dang, the leader, mtn and pts all combined in one sock sox ??? That's a, come on man… anywho… the real travesty of sartorial splendor has to belong to baseball and the pants thing:
Sox used to mean something with your baseball uniform but now??? Although, come to think of it, the latest w/basketball players and their fascination with yoga pants strikes me as very odd too:
Cheers all
@Buck Rogers
Just got a pair of these dandies from The Athletic. They have strong sock games which makes following Rule #28 challenging. But part of me feels like when you're in your mid-40s and riding for 30 years...I can live a little.
@MtnGoat
Funny boy. We always like to be referred to as ladies. Especially vehemently when arguing over sock color. I owned a pair of Marressi black leather shoes and they, along with my Campagnolo component boxes, turned me into a life long Italophile. Those shoes were my most favorite shoes ever.
“Black is cool too, but were given a bad image by a Texan whose were too long.” - I was over-ruled on this line, slap fights in the bunker over it.
@Gianni
>>> ...the "dorks" in HS gym class <<< today? I suspect that would be the kids in the all white sox. Truth be told. My kiddo's would love @chuckp 's socks for sure. They have the same stars and bars sox and wear 'em all the time. Yeti's on sox? They love 'em. You might catch a kid with white sox BUT will have black stripe up the back and say Nike Elite's. Go to any sporting goods outfit and check out what the kids are checking out. There ain't a white sock to be seen. I suppose we could all just chalk it up to being crazy times.
A recent snapshot of my daughter and I. I'd raced earlier and was shelled. Must have been the black sox? Not the extra 10 lbs and lack of miles in the legs. The young lady on the other hand just knocked off her first ever podium in a Category race against adults after having podium'd also a Jr's event earlier. I'm sure was the sox! Cheers all
@Randy C
Sorry mate, but those Depends should be worn inside your trousers, non? Isn't there a Rule for that?
More Full Disclosure: I do love what's happened to cycling kit over the years, including the damn socks. I must, in light of my previous statement of rebelliousness and socklessness. But isn't it a bit schizophrenic to worship the Dayes of Yore and traditions noble, and accept non-white socks? My hairnet spins.
And I do miss my Marressis which had that sole wedge which was just what the doctor ordered to rein in my cowboy legs and pronated foots. When can we go back to the Christophes?
@Ron
I do - M3B Uomos to be exact (rule breaking in that they are two bolt, MTB shoes, rule abiding in that they are a) Italian b) hand made c) leather and d) black).
I also own Sidis and on comparison the fi'zi:k shoes are actually narrower. They are also much more padded inside, so much so that for the first long ride I took with them my left foot kept going to sleep. After a couple more rides they broke in very nicely and I can say that they are probably the most comfortable shoes I have for riding. The carbon sole makes them stiff as an incredibly stiff thing too.
A little difficult to walk in due to said stiffness, but then again I wear them for cycling, not ambulation.
@Ron
Had a pair of the latest R3B road shoes and have to say I was under-impressed with them and sold them after 2 months. Never had hot spots on the ball of my foot before, they felt like I was pedaling on a broom handle. I didn't think the construction quality was anywhere near Sidi. Love Fizik saddles and tape, not a fan of the shoes.
Thanks for the feedback on the fizik shoes. Ugh oh, hot spots. I use newer Sidis with Super Feet inserts. Great fit, but I do get some numbness on longer rides. I really can't tell if this just comes with riding in super stiff carbon soled shoes or what. I also get a sore next, but I fractured a vertebrae in college sports and I think that unless I get really, really dedicated about yoga & stretching, I'll just have to deal with it. Sitting at a desk and looking at a monitor for hours a day does help. Oh well.
Love seeing LeMan in the hi viz kit. Suddenly ever single jogger I see on the MUP is wearing at least 3 pieces of neon gear. Glad to see that more and more manual laborers in the U.S. are wearing it too.
When is the Acid Oranje V-Jersey coming out?
@Rick
I am a big fan of and adhere to the BSS, and for many years would only have one orphan at a time...until the velominippers arrived. Now we have an "orphans and widows" box. How we end up with so many singles is one of the great riddles of our time.
As for the black/white discussion, I will continue to roll with the shoe/sock combo (white/black) I started riding with prior to finding The Way until one or the other wears out. I'd rather save up for n+1, more bibs, lighter wheels or some other more functional kit before replacing the socks or shoes. Even if Frank always asks if I'm on my way to a tennis match with Venus when I show up to a PNW cogal. They're DeFeet Aereators, and they're awesome. I can't fathom riding in anything else.