I need some new ones – what are everyone's favourites?

For me, it's normally SmartWool

So most of the time – http://www.socksock.co.uk/product/1568/43/smartwool_performance_mens_phd_outdoor_light_crew

Winter it's some other SmartWool mid-weight socks or Defeet Woolie Boolies –
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/DeFeet_Woolie_Boolie_Cycling_Socks/5300004468/

endura baa baas

Endura Coolmax at the moment, Sealskins in the winter. The freebies I got with MBUK a few months ago are pretty good too.

Sockguy courtesy of TwinSix, did 24 solo in the same pair and they were great!

Gotta be DeFeet Aireators
Got some free with Maximum Mountain Bike mag. How long ago has that magazine not even existed?! And the socks are still hole-less (unlike many other makes)

What properties do "cycling socks" have that mere "regualr socks" lack?

i use merino hiking socks = ace and cheap if bought in bulk – cycle socks = over priced and hyped up… have used in past and wasnt a revelation – do look good thou…

paul

I use bridgedale walking socks when its dry, and sealskins if its wet

bridgedales are awesome, they last forever

What properties do "cycling socks" have that mere "regualr socks" lack?

What "regular" socks are you referring to? Last time I looked in my local M&S there were sportssocksworksockscasualsocksanklesocksfootsockswalkingsocksrunningsocksgymsockssmartsockstubesockswoolsockscottonsockscottonsockswithlycra and a women's dept with similar. (didn't actually see any "regular" socks)

http://www.bikemaps.co.uk/merinowoolcyclingsocks.htm

really liking these.

My favourite pair are X Socks, lasted for years without even the slightest sign of a hole. Great arch support and padded ankle/heel patches.

I'm a cheapskate ..
TK Maxx, sock section (you'd never have guessed that, would you 😉 )
Ankle height sports socks whatever they have in stock, Black. pack of 3 pairs normally about £7?

A tricky one this.

You have to consider aesthetics, wicking rate, UV protection, constriction of blood flow (could be A Good Thing or A Bad Thing), initial purchase price, longevity, elasticity, blah, blah…

Or you could just do what any normal soul would do and steal some sports socks from M&S.

Oggles – I've used X-socks and like them a lot as they've been comfy and lasted ages, but remembered that people were raving about Woolie Boolie's etc.

i use running bear lambswool socks, well for everything.
http://www.runningbear.co.uk/results.php?Products_mnu=Socks&License_mnu=&button=Find

DeFeet Woolie Boollies – great socks all year round.

So what advantage do thy have? I have tried a couple of pairs and they just made my feet ache.

High wool content standard socks for me

normally just scour the websites looking for 'sock sale', find the cheapest and ones that look good and purchase them.

So far Cannondale summer carbon are good as are most oakley socks

oakley

cannondale carbon socks 😉 carbon ? really ? lol

Merino Sealskinz in winter, in summer I got a pair of DeFeet socks from the now defunct Maxiumum Mountain Bike magazine, they've got to be the comfiest & coolest if it is warm.

X socks, got some a few years ago from one of those bike sales events, they had three pairs bundled together & priced at a fiver, likely to be a mistake, but at the till I just insisted that as all 3 were bundled & the price says £5, I'd have them for a fiver thank you. Still prefer the DeFeet ones though!

Alpkit are doing 2 pairs for 13 quid I think, not that I have tried them but i fully intend to, usually there gear is cheap but good.

LIDL 🙂 4 pairs still going strong 🙂

My favourites are Bridgedale Impact. They don't seem to make them any more but these may be equivalent but in boring colours:

http://www.bridgedale.com/Products/Product.asp?ProductID=54

Alpkit ones are similar, a bit chunkier, and excellent value.

I've always liked them in summer, but haven't ever been totally convinced by them until I tried the new Save our Soles ones which are bloomin excellent.

SOOBalias – Member
http://www.bikemaps.co.uk/merinowoolcyclingsocks.htm
really liking these.

mine wore very quickly

Coolmax running socks are usually freely available in TKMaxx at a very agreeable price. Ideal summer cycling socks.
For winter, Assos Early Winter merino or Woolie boolie socks.
For VERY cold weather, Assos thermic (although a second pair of feet would probably be cheaper) are very good.

Sealskins when its cold,
otherwise Primark / JJB sports etc cheapo bundle of 5 for a £5er. End of day my socks get so horrible and gritty then will be binned after a while so stick to cheapies IMHO

dry ones

nickc – Member

What properties do "cycling socks" have that mere "regualr socks" lack?

it's obvious, cycling socks cost more and wear out quicker

I got some teko(?) ones off wiggle – reduced

couple cotton (about 6 quid/pr) and couple merino (about 12/pr)

only worn teh cotton ones so far & only a couple of times, but ded nice fit (quite thick sole, good for me)

Isn't the colour of the sock more important than the brand/quality??!

😉

Any!!! With cotton.