Mountain bikers

So most road cyclists wear long socks either because it actually helps them (when the socks are aerodynamic) or to look professional. But then why do mountain bikers wear long socks? For mountain bikers there are some more practical reasons for wearing long socks. It mostly comes down to protection of their legs. This can be from bushes, nettles, branches and even ticks, but it also makes slipping off your pedal less painful. 

Long socks can also prevent sweat that runs down your leg from reaching your ankles and feet and prevent pebbles from flying into your socks. They also keep your feet and especially lower legs warmer during colder seasons. Lastly, also mountain bikers wear long socks as part of their outfit. Not necessarily to look like a pro, but mainly to finish their outfit or to brand themselves.
 

Colours

One of the worst things you can do is having socks that are almost the colour of the rest of your outfit or bike, but just not close enough. Clashing colours can make you look like an idiot on your bike, while perfectly matching colours can really finish your look. However, some seemingly opposite colours can become a stylish combination when done right. A great example is an all black outfit with bright white socks or accents underneath it like in the picture below:
    

If you’re not sure if the colour of the socks will clash or not, you can also play it safe and buy either black or white socks. These will match any colour outfit for sure. Or you can design your own socks with the exact same colour as your outfit with our custom printed socks!

Tights

One of the most debatable questions of cyclists when it comes to socks might be if you should wear your socks over or under your tights when the season comes. This has got the most to do with generation and what custom you’re used to. 

The older generation usually strongly supports socks under the tights or low socks and the colours are mostly black or white. While the younger generation is more outgoing when it comes to socks. They like to wear them over the tights and they want their socks higher and in brighter colours, although black and white are still a favorite too. Lance Armstrong was actually one of the first pro cyclists who started wearing high socks.

   
Even though there are still quite a few people defending the under tights standpoint, we at Sockeloen are strong over your tights believers (like in the picture above). If you wear the right socks, they don’t only finish your outfit but they can make or break your look. Wearing them under your tights would be like hiding them and thus breaking your look. Wearing them proudly over your tights will definitely make your look, especially if they’ve got a finishing touch like the The Finger socks pictured below:

UCI 2020, https://www.uci.org/docs/default-source/equipment/clarificationguideoftheucitechnicalregulation-2018-05-02-eng_english.pdf