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One of those “who really cares?! But let’s debate anyway” conversations recently…
Cycle tights and socks…
Socks on top?
Tights over socks?
Go…
Tights over.
What kind of monster has socks over?
What about over shoes or boots with high ankles like Shimano winter boots?
Socks under longs always. Overshoes over the lot if I'm wearing them.
Tights over.
What kind of monster has socks over?
This
Long trousers avoid this conundrum and have the added benefit of stopping you looking like a roadie. HTH 😉
Trousers. I’m no longer allowed to wear skin tight Lycra by law. Fashion law.
bought some extra long socks to specifically to go over my tights, monster!
Can I have none of the above? Just shorts with knee pads that leave a small area of shin exposed to the elements. If we’re talking road riding then nothing as I don’t do it. I can’t cycle in long trousers for some reason. Just get way too hot and sweaty.
Socks under. Anything else is just trying too hard to abide by 'the rules' and stupid.
Socks under tights , shorts over tights, overshoes over tights...summer wear is shorts over bibs...to stop looking too roadie
Socks on top, otherwise it looks like you're just wearing tights
Who wears tights at this time of year? Soft engerlanders?
Depends on the thickness of the socks, thick socks under tights look weird.
What about over shoes or boots with high ankles like Shimano winter boots?
If it's cold enough for tights, then it's probably cold enough for boots rather than shoes. So the socks are definitely underneath, and then the tights are over the top of the boots to delay the ingress of moisture, whether falling directly from the sky or kicked up from puddles.
Winning comment goes to @pondo
What kind of monster has socks over?
I’m with a lot of you, tights over
@cheekyget just what I was thinking…always with shorts on top, ‘Tis a must!
@funkmasterp I’d agree with you ordinarily but have had to whip the tights out recently because 8 mile, 6am commutes in -6 degrees just ain’t the same without ‘em
Sorry folks, tried trousers…
Just. Cannot.
socks over, socks under is a roadie thing
Socks on top?
Genuinely surprised that anyone would do this.
Socks under, unless you're a world class CXer.
Mtb - 3/4 endura with waterproof baggies, wool socks
Road - 3/4 fleece lined and wolly sock and sock/or neo over shoes
it has to be 10 below for full length
i always tuck my tights into my socks. it stops them getting trapped in the chain.
Tights over. I'm not Bernard Hinault. Plus it keeps the socks clean. Question is moot when wearing Shimano MT90 boots or overshoes anyway.
Agreed…boots or overshoes over the lot
@LAT in the nicest way possible, begs the question how baggy your tights are doesn’t it?! Ha ha
Bib 3/4 with long merino socks tucked underneath. A breeches look if you like, and some class. Some Tights tend to have stirrups so socks outside will be a challenge if you put them in first.
3/4 bibs or winter bibs/knee warmers - any colder and I'm not going out
I call troll. No one ever put socks over tights, ever.
Socks on top?
how long are the socks? Knee high
No one ever put socks over tights, ever
That's what I would have thought, but according to this thread the monsters walk among us.
Bib 3/4 with long merino socks tucked underneath.
Nah 3/4s with knee length sealskinz over the top, then kneepads over the socks, and shorts that reach the kneepads. That way nobody else can tell whether the socks are under or over.
(it makes sense because the bottom bit of the sock is going to get covered in crap whichever way you wear it, so by sticking them on the outside of the 3/4s you only have one crap-covered thing to take off rather than sharing the crap between the socks and 3/4s).
I quite like the socks over aesthetic but it doesn't work with boots/overshoes/grimy roads. I'd do it on holiday somewhere and look damn cool in the process though.
Simple
If you're a. European, b. Pro and/or c. a sponsored 'content creator', then socks over tights, preferably in a funky colour/pattern.
Otherwise tights over socks
The layers should go thusly:
Bibs over gentleman vegetables/lady garden
Tights over bibs (unless tights have a pad, in which see case see above)
Tights over socks
If wearing shoes, stirrup loop on tights over foot, inside shoe
If wearing boots cos it's cold/rainy, stirrup loop over boot so rain doesn't leach in
Anything else is monstrous.
That’s what I would have thought, but according to this thread the monsters walk among us.
Exhibit A:
I used to wear leg warmers, never tights, I think I once put on Goretex sock (with the red ankle band) over the top. I thought I looked a right idiot, so never did again.
Luckily riding trousers are much better than they used to be, so I'll never be seen in legwarmers ever again. (I keep them for private 😛 )
*shakes head and walks out of the room.
Tights.... FFS...
What has this place come to
I would never wear my tights without my winter boots and merino long socks. Ergo, it has to be boots over, tights next and socks under (drawn up high for extra warmth). Tights are for proper cold days.
If not, it is shorts or 3/4's with spring/summer/autumn shoes.
Are those advocating socks over tights (shudder) also the types who MTB in a helmet without a peak?
What has this place come to
Some of us area bit older and our knees let their displeasure be known if they are too cold.
My normal socks under tights, but my waterproof socks go over the tights but under the waterproof trousers.
Suspect that suggests I'm properly undecided but the trousers aren't quite long enough to cover ankle whilst seated riding, so having the waterproof socks exposed under them means my legs and feet stay dry and warm.
Some of us area bit older and our knees let their displeasure be known if they are too cold.
The Venn diagram of cyclists who wear shorts in all weathers and cyclists who moan about knackered knees.....
Socks under, but when it's cold enough for tights I'm in overshoes anyway.
I do like the white socks over aesthetic but only over leg warmers, never bibs.
This winter on road I've started tights over overshoes. Not going back.
Some of us area bit older and our knees let their displeasure be known if they are too cold.
Some of us are also slow, old and skin and bone. We need to wrap up warm.
Road bike - obey ‘the rules’ at all times
Mtb - trousers if you wish to cover your lower legs
Gravel - god knows, what inappropriate uniform they have decided on this month. Fishnets?