These days, I'm always outfeeted in DeFeet. Maybe my opinion doesn't carry the same weight as your average work-a-day racer since all my socks are GamJams socks, which I'm contractually obligated to wear for training, racing, yardwork, and on casual Fridays. Or, maybe my opinion should be weighted more heavily, since I buy my socks 200 pairs at a time, and always buy DeFeet.
I should point out that DeFeet isn't a sponsor of GamJams or of the GamJams subsidiary brilf.net. They're just a vendor and I'm just a customer. When shopping for a sock supplier, I was most interested in (in this order):
- a recognizable brand with some cache
- available cuff heights (ie, tall cuff heights)
- customer service
- customizability
- minimum order size and order options
- price
The DeFeet Aireators I use for the GamJams summer sock are thinner than some of the other socks I've used, particularly Sock Guy. Some people may remark that a thin socks isn't as durable and may wear holes in the toe faster than thicker socks. I haven't had this experience with the DeFeet socks, nor has Liz at BikeVoice, who reviewed them over a 5-year period. But I'm also of the opinion that socks are an item that should go on your annual refresh and replace list, along with chamois, chain, tires, tubes, brake and shifter cables, water bottles, bar tape and helmet. Much of this stuff will last longer than a year, but usage until failure is some combination of dangerous, foolish and unhygenic. You spend too much time on the bike for your equipment to be performing at 65% of its potential. I prefer to replace proactively, not under duress.
Choosing the right sock height is an important commitment. Why a commitment? Tan lines. You need to determine when most of your tan line burn-in will occur, and realize that whatever height sock you choose for that period is the lowest minimum cuff height you can use for other pantsless applications - whether that's race day, or at the pool, or wearing a skirt to work. Don't get me wrong - ankle tan lines are very pro. But tan lines 1" or more above the cuff of the socks worn at the time are awkward.
Typically I train in 4" (Pro) cuffs. Occasionally I'll train in 5" (Extra Pro) cuffs, but only for early morning rides before there's much sun. That burns my tan line in at 4", meaning it's invisible if I'm wearing 4" or 5" cuffs. So now all my off-the-bike socks are also 4" cuff.
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