Classic witte socks
It used to be that you could choose any color shoes you wanted, so long as they were black and any color socks, so long as they were white. Easy times, those. Then Gianni gave me his White Ladies and all of a sudden my life was complicated.
First of all, the shoes were so beautifully white in their gleaming patent leather that only the whitest of white socks looked white enough. Wear them twice and into the “rain sock” pile they went. The real “rain socks” were even worse, because they were actually dingy and I simply couldn’t deal with the contrast. So then I started wearing black socks in bad weather. Fortunately, white shoes with black socks looks much better than you’d think, although it looks worse than white on white or black on white.
So then I was changing sock color depending on the weather.
The great thing about a pair of White Ladies with white socks is it turns the foot/ankle into a single visual unit, almost like a perpetual pair of overshoes, and everyone knows overshoes always look rad. Very good for motivation when the V-Bank is running a little low on funds.
Then I got my custom orange Bonts, and things really became a mess. Somehow, the extra orange means I have to match my socks to my jersey, otherwise it all looks out of balance; white socks with the Witte jersey, and black socks with the Zwarte jersey. Which is practical because I always wear black in the rain.
But what about that perpetual overshoe look for which I’ve declared my undying love? Orange socks and orange shoes, is it too much? Apparently the answer to that question depends on my mood and how tan my guns are, because I really dug it yesterday but some days I can’t take it because it might be a tad too fluoro. Except I’m kind of liking fluoro again.
So now I’m matching my socks to my jersey unless I match them to my shoes. To make matters worse, my socks are a bit long, I’m afraid. But with my tan line in full swing, I’m committed to the length for the remainder of the season at least. At which point I’ll probably like the sock length.
Somebody call a doctor.
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@Mikael Liddy
I second that.
Velotoze are simply awesome. They are the only over bootie that I've ever used that I can guarantee that I'll have dry feet after 2 hours in torrential rain. (You might have a bit of sweat build up as they don't breathe, but you'll have clean shoes and warm feet!) I've worn them in 4 degrees and pouring rain and they were warm (enough). Everything else was fucked though.
They are fragile. I've had a few tears in the bottom where I've accidentally stepped my instep over a stair tread. In spite of that, they're holding together brilliantly. I expect that I'll get a full winter season out of them, so long as I'm careful. Given their price, even if I do need another pair, I'll consider it worth it.
Suffice it to say that I have no less than 5 pairs of other neoprene booties sitting in my drawer. They are staying there unused because it's nice to know that I can go ride knowing that I'll have dry feet.
@Mikael Liddy
@mouse
These look a godsend for those of us who live in wet climes! No more cutting up dishwashing gloves to make bootie gaskets. Better colours, too.
Just ordered a couple pairs for the rainy seasons. They should offer a "reservoir tip" version. For sweat runoff and all.
@chris
Is this a real thing? I'm guessing tridork sandals, but maybe some kind of 3-bolt S&M foot fetish clamps to go with the latex fetish booties.
@pistard
They are but they aren't. Apparently, they're to help stop the trihards from falling over in the transition area.
OK so a shoe fetishist is quite well known (albeit strange)... but I sincerely hope that @Frank is not drifting off in the direction of sock fetishism (word??) and that this site is not his self-help group...
Of course German is perfect for finding the words for this.... "Sockenfetischistenselbsthilfegruppewebseite"....
I think this also should show us how dangerous this direction is.
@1860
Oh, dear
Bundy was obsessed with clean, white socks. Yes, really. He notes in the book, “Ted Bundy: Conversations with a Killer,” that “Socks are such a serious part of my life. They’re so very important to me.” Bundy loved the fact that he “possessed” so many clean white socks that he was proud when his possessions were read out in court & his socks were mentioned during the proceedings.
@frank Whilst indulging in a bit of gun envy, I couldn't help noticing that your magnificent tan doesn't make it past the knee. Is this article a prelude to a confession about your stripper boots?
@chris
Unless you cycle a recumbent (Merckx forbid!), the tan will always be stronger above the knee...
Great timing! Just got the VMH her first pair of cycling shoes, some white Gaernes. (wow, is it hard to find mtn. shoes for women that aren't horrendous!) Now I'm working on talking her into taller socks; she prefers ankle socks, I'm trying to get her into some higher ones.
Heading to a friend's cabin in Ontario tomorrow for a solid week of lake time. As it turns out, we'll be 45 minutes from a stretch of the Trans-Canadian trailway. Can't wait to do some gravel riding there.
Oh, and I've always been a fan of tall socks. Went mid-calf during my lacrosse days when the style was ankle. And now during pick-up soccer I still can't handle not wearing pulled-up soccer socks, even though I don't wear shin guards.