Gift Socks For An Athlete

There are only a few more shopping days until Christmas, and you may still be unsure of what to get

Don't despair — just give those athletes socks.

Depending on their sport and the "style rules" your athletes adhere to, you can select from tall socks, short socks, bright colored socks, compression socks, wicking socks, windproof socks or socks that carry a printed message such as ‘dopers suck.'

Selecting workout socks was easier back in the day — you just went to Target, Kmart or Sears and picked up a six-pack of white "athletic" tube socks. Today's athletes are a little more choosy about what covers their foot, so you have to match the sock with the sport and the athlete's personality.

Let's start with cyclists. To make an intelligent decision, you'll have to determine if the person on your list is a mountain biker, road cyclist or a cyclocross racer.

Road cyclists are the most concerned about image and style, so make sure to select socks that won't damage their ego. In general, stay away from short ankle socks (too much of a tennis look), go with black socks only if they are a Lance Armstrong supporter, and above all try to color-match a road cyclist's socks with his/her team colors.

Mountain bikers are generally a more down-in-the-dirt group and thus don't worry about style as much. In fact, some off-road cyclists have been spotted wearing hunting socks from non-cycling vendors such a Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops.

Cyclists who train for and race cyclocross events usually have the most eccentric taste in socks. For this deviant breed, get socks that are tall, funky, garishly bright in color and — if possible — that have patterns to match the cyclist's leg scars and tattoos.

If you're still confused about socks for cyclists you might want to read "Fashion Trends in Cycling Socks" published by Cyclingtips (cyclingtips.com.au/2012/10/new-summer-fashion-trends-with-cycling-socks/).

Triathletes deserve a mention although they are not real cyclists since cycling events are never preceded by a swim or followed by a run. Most multisport athletes have serious love affairs with the tall calf-height dorky-looking compression socks that help squeeze blood from the lower legs back up to their brain.

The good news is that you can save money by just buying those athletes a pair of long varicose vein compression stockings from Walgreens or similar medical supply stores. They'll never know the difference.

Runners are somewhat picky about what's between their feet and their running shoes. In general, they'll prefer something ankle-high or shorter that looks fast and saves a couple of grams of weight. Long-distance runners may prefer socks that have a slightly thicker padded underfoot to compensate for the thinly padded ultralight distance running shoes they race in.

Trail runners are a different breed from normal runners and may like slightly taller crew-height socks that are pre-stained in trail dirt and mud colors.

To be honest, most of the difference between the various subcategories of cycling and running socks is the product of great marketing by sock companies.

When in doubt, just ask the salesperson at your cycling or running store. Believe everything they tell you — maybe.

Remember — it's important to select appropriate gift socks for an athlete.
for the athletes on your list.


Upcoming Events

Now-Jan 4: Texas Cup cyclocross series: http://txbra.org/events

January 3: Resolution Run, roadlizards.org/events/ecvfd-resolution-run-2015/

Jan 7-11: Cyclocross National Championships, usacycling.org/2015/cyclo-cross-nationals

Jan 17-Feb 21: Trail Running Series, roadlizards.org