I read somewhere that the fastest tested setup was an aero sock with a short velotoze overshoe, as opposed to the longer options.
I agree they are used at TT speeds, a good 40k TT you can get close to 50, then shorter ones might be slightly easier, but also if you are a breakaway specialist, then it could help slightly more as well.
Pure sprinters, if you are looking at tire rubber width finishes, sometimes every little bit helps when accelerating hard.
I’ve worn the EVO Disruptors for years.
I don’t think vélotoze and aero socks are faster than dedicated well fitting overshoes any more (gut feeling, though I can’t find data to back it up). I think the velotoze is a good hack to get you close to a dedicated overshoe.
@Aeroiseverything i think you’re right here, but isn’t there a UCI rule that you can only wear overshoes for time trials and on rainy days? If it doesn’t stand now I think it did for a while. Ventilation, access to buckles (because we all want to be like Jalafilip and play with our shoes all day) etc is still important in road races.
I do remember being surprised by the data, however if a good aero sock is acting as a trip layer, rather than just a smooth surface I could see why the combination may be faster.
I have seen a couple overshoes like the rule 28 that seem to combine the two, which could be similar or slightly faster, though the differences would be marginal compared to a standard sock I’d presume.
Also, last I was aware, overshoes were not allowed outside of time trials, though in 2019 apparently they dropped that rule for the track. I haven’t heard of it being dropped for the road, nor have I seen it in the pro ranks at all which would signify as much.
I shall start dining on my hat shortly.
We tested at ARC in Indy and with an independent test group at A2 in North Carolina, both proving that we were equivalent to the ribbed aero socks, while being an actually decent sock the rest of the time
I love the fact that Josh makes comments. I buy there product and will prob try the socks just to support a small company. I have the Defeat aero socks and they are thin and do slide down.
I don’t think so as some pros will ride with overshoes to hide the fact they are not wearing sponsor-correct shoes.
1.0.033 in 2011 essentially banned them. 1.0.033 is now famous for being the sock height rule.
They don’t fall down. I’d buy them if they sold them per sock! I’m sure like 90% of my socks at some point I’ll have only one.
I just found 2 socks in the lost sock drawer = got new socks
My new favorite word: turbulators.
From Silca marketing copy…
…a sock with a smooth frontal surface and three rows of turbulators just ahead of the flow separation zone. These turbulators introduce small vortices in the boundary layer which energize the flow and promote flow attachment further around the leg. More attached flow means a smaller pressure wake behind the leg, less wake = less drag.
I wonder if Silca’s tests or Rule 28’s “no sock” data is for a shaved or un-shaved leg?
Or maybe just a shaved shin?
After all… seems like some leg hair might make for some good “turbulators.”
They talked about that “strategic shaving” idea on this weeks CyclingTips podcast, and wanting to see if they could get someone (mentioned the Spesh Win Tunnel) to see if it might work.
4-8W at 31mph for $30 is money well spent. However, there aren’t many times riding solo or TTing I’m at 31mph. I’d be curious if anyone knows how these savings scale to slower speeds. Be interesting to see 30mph, 29, 28, etc…
Also, just WAGing the speed change at 31mph 8W is around 0.2mph. Difficult to really keep track of. So, these socks, like many aero improvements, are a leap of faith in the marketing which I dislike doing.
edit: like helmets, skin suits etc…4-8W in the tunnel may or may not = 4-8W for me. So while $30 isn’t much money $30 for a potential 1W or less pair of sock changes the equation.
I’m waiting for $12 aero socks. 
And I find the silica socks ugly.
BTW, I noticed two riders wearing aero socks on my group ride yesterday.
FWIW I wore these socks in a 10mi TT today and was 15s/.2mph faster for the same NP (this course has a fast 2.5mi start that is slightly downhill where you can reach 30mph fairly easily). I had been wearing normal socks that fit just a bit over the ankle (Silca XXL fit just below my calf). Best Bike Split also said my CdA was .02 better on today’s ride.
I tend to doubt it was the socks but overall they are really nice socks and didn’t fall down at all. Theoretically if I wore these socks on my last 40kTT I would have made the podium since I only missed it by 8s.
I wore mine today in a 90 mile road race. Can’t say as I ever thought about them…
I kinda doubt the claims from testing actually transfer to the “real world”, but the socks are really nice quality.
Dude… that’s cold. I have a Silca Pista pump I bought in 1987… still use it. I buy a lot from Silca. Great quality and it lasts. Worth the money IMO.
My daily pump from circa 1982:
I know that my pump was from a different Silca.
I don’t understand why people rag on Silca. The stuff they are doing in lubes is phenomenal. If you don’t want one of their $500 pumps then don’t buy it. Many of their products are definitely “boutique” but so is a $15K Tarmac SL7.
Same here. Love the Rule 28 stuff, though. On the bright side, if you can get the rule 28’s over your calf muscle it’s kind of like a compession sock. So there might be an additional 2W just from reduction in surface area.
Tend to agree…
Regarding nice quality…Just bought a bunch of these Ekoi socks. Easily the best I’ve worn to date. Highly recommend.
