For Feet’s Sake! Swiftwick Socks Review

What do you want your athletic socks to do for you?

I mean, think about it for a second, and what are you likely to come up with?  The socks should fit well, keep your feet dry, not cut off circulation, and eliminate any possible hotspots that could cause blistering.  I’m of the opinion they should have a little bit of style, too, but as long as they meet the above needs, I’m willing, albeit grudgingly, to sacrifice some steeze.

Enter Swiftwick socks, carried by the Ascent Cycling boys for the last couple seasons.  These socks take aim at providing the rider with a level of feel and fit a cut above most other
brands.  That fit starts with the construction process, the made-in-the U.S. socks having a 200 thread count.  It’s a tighter weave than most, which gives the socks a very solid feel and minimizes the amount of road or trail debris that can seep in and create those nasty hotspots.  I happen to think that the fit is initially snug each time I wear them, but not offputtingly so.  While riding, the snugness recedes to the point of being unnoticeable.

Swiftwick Pride at Ascent Cycling

Swiftwick makes their socks in a variety of different cuff sizes, from a Zero (no cuff
protruding above your average cycling shoe) to a Twelve (knee-length) and five sizes in between.  I appreciate this selection because I’m fairly particular on my sock length.  Since I don’t have any calves to speak of until quite a ways up my leg, I like a longer sock.  I use Fours for normal length rides and decided to give the Twelves a shot for a solo effort I recently took on in an eight-hour race.  I wanted to see whether or not a knee-length compression sock might live up to the marketing hype and help stave off cramps in my legs.  I didn’t experience any, but I’m still not entirely sure it was due to the
sock.  The fit was first rate, but ultimately I valued them most for keeping the cloudless sun off my skin and providing that debris barrier in the dusty conditions.

Style is always subjective, but Swiftwick plays it very safe, sticking mostly to black and white with some color accents and solids playing throughout the line.  Patterns are technical in nature instead of whimsical.  I enjoy a fun sock and one of its main competitors- for the sake of this review, I’ll call it “S. Guy”, or… hmmm… maybe “Sock G.” (all due thanks to The Simpsons for that bit)- has Swiftwick comprehensively licked in this area.

Be that as it may, I’ve been adding more and more Swiftwicks to my wardrobe over the last year as the sheer quality of the sock has overcome most- most– of my desire for quirkiness.  Price is perhaps the only other sticking point for Swiftwick in its quest to dominate your feet’s yearnings, as I’m sure
the costs of the increased thread count and domestic production are in part passed onto the consumer.  At this point, though, you have to determine what you, the rider, value most.  If you value no blisters, cleaner and drier feet, and socks that stay in place no matter how much grime you ride through or sweat you shed, then I wholeheartedly recommend you buy as many pairs of Swiftwicks as your bank balance will allow.

They’re that good.

Mac Out