Hardcore Biking Requires a Hardcore Sock

Aggressive biking is hard on your feet. They sweat, and cramp, and generally make things difficult.

But you can't exactly leave them at the house.

If you're going to ride a bicycle, you might as well wear the right kind of equipment to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. And that includes your biking socks. Let's start with the material. Do not buy socks for riding that are made from cotton. Cotton will trap moisture next to your foot, when what you need is something to pull moisture away. A perfect example is Olefin. This Nobel prize winning synthetic fiber actually holds onto less than 0.1% of its weight in moisture. For those who prefer an organic fiber, merino wool is an outstanding choice. It is an excellent insulator and does a good job of keeping feet dry. Merino wool is also perfect for riding in cooler weather, as it is a warmer material.

It is also a good idea to select biking socks that are thin. Long bike rides have a tendency to cause swelling in the rider's feet. When this happens, it is much better (i.e., less painful) to be wearing socks that give your feet room to expand inside your shoes. However, "thin" does not mean "weak." If you wear a sock with a high thread count, it can be both thin and durable. Also look for socks that are seamless, or have as few seams as possible. Seams can hurt your feet on a long ride.

Another good quality to have in a biking sock is good compression. Compression prevents the socks from sliding down your leg. Compression also aids with circulation in your legs. The better you can maintain your blood circulation on a long ride, the better. A recent study published by Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research showed that runners who wear compression socks performed significantly better. It's not a stretch to assume that the same principle applies to biking.

It is highly advisable for women to purchase biking socks in female sizes. Men's socks are specifically sized for men's feet, and it is definitely preferable to wear a sock that naturally fits your foot snuggly.

It is always a good idea to actually try on a pair of socks with the shoes you ride in. Your socks and shoes work together to keep your feet moving and protected. If you cannot try the socks on beforehand, make sure you have a good understanding of how the particular brand of sock is sized.

You probably already know this, but it is worth mentioning. Your socks will perform better, and thus you will ride better, if they are clean! A sock that is clean will do a better job of moving moisture away from your skin. Long rides are tough enough without having sweat trapped against your feet.

Don't take your socks lightly. Hard biking requires hard socks. You need socks that will stay put, that will wick moisture away from your feet, and ideally, that will help your blood circulation. You can't go far without your feet, so you better take care of them.

Swiftwick socks are high performance socks made for high performance people. Serious cyclists prefer Swiftwick socks for their superior fiber and construction that wicks moisture away from your skin while applying just the right amount of compression. To learn more about Swiftwick or check out their biking socks, visit www.swiftwick.com.

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