Aero Tested: Silca Aero Socks. Do thy really make you faster?

[@ThomasAnselmi1337]

Have earned a subscriber here...a pure roadie too!

[@fastorfiction]

I definitely want to create content for those of us (including me by the way) who aren’t triathletes. We’ll have some fun with all of it and begin to review products soon. Probably going to burn some bridges along the way. Thanks for subscribing. 👍

[@ThomasAnselmi1337]

With triathletes...there are 2 other bridges 😂

[@rustyheyman214]

Used Silca Aero Socks in races. Great socks and they are easy to put on in transition. Recommend unless you are racing against me.

[@DanielHernandezRivera]

Looking forward to the calf sleeve video.

[@bengladwell3037]

Really enjoy these videos, they're a huge help to us aero weenies! It would be great to see the difference that it makes closing the gap between the aero extensions with duct tape like we saw lots of the pros doing in kona last year.

[@fredhamlin1295]

This needs way more views, really great content

[@kennyxsd]

Hey great video!! Lots of detail. I appreciate all the work you put into this production

[@thewhitecarrot]

Great video. Would be great to see a back to back comparison with popular aero socks ie. Rule 28, Silca, No Pinz

[@fastorfiction]

As I mentioned towards the end of the video, which would take a lot of patience to wait through so most probably didn’t hear it, we began this as a test between Silca and Rule 28 but the results were pretty much identical favoring Silca just a bit. Between how long it takes to put Rule 28’s on compared to the Silcas, and their penchant to slide down athlete’s legs, it became clear the Silcas were the best bet.

[@WinsteadSpeedShop]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIuppYKBgbKcgq8si=cqEIeb3DJCNb8WXQ My Rule28 tested 8watts faster than Silca at A2 tunnel

[@WinsteadSpeedShop]

Most aero socks need hairspray or pre tape spray on the leg to prevent sliding down

[@MichaelWilliams-iv6dj]

The one thing to consider is that the typical ribbed aero socks have a tendency to slip down and I am sure some baggy mess around your ankle is not aerocynamic. In contrast, the Silcas alway stay up

[@fastorfiction]

We definitely experienced this while testing.

[@superstrada6847]

What helps avoid aero socks from slipping down during a race or ride: 1. Avoid any sunblock under the sock area. 2. Prep the skin w rubbing alcohol directly under where the sock will touch the calf. @@fastorfiction

[@SimonShi]

Great video! I also saw the bottle under tri suit video. I plan on testing some of my aero stuff on that Santa Ana River Trail soon!

[@joemoya9743]

Would be nice to compare aero calf sleeves to aero socks. Sleeves don't make you change your current sock choice and they go higher up.

[@fastorfiction]

Calf sleeves testing is the next video we’ll release.

[@Thomas-qy4dm]

@@fastorfiction great to hear!

[@TransAm2k4]

@@fastorfiction thats great to hear! Also calf sleeves might have a time saving in Transition if its a wetsuit race. You can bike with no sock and put on your typical ankle sock for running that goes in significantly faster than a longer sock (or probably 4-5 seconds at most...)

[@MarcusPotter-c4u]

Outstanding review, thanks for the objective assessment

[@BenjaminBriu]

Yes we lov these videos!!! Keep them coming!! I have an idea for a video too

[@TheTrailRabbit]

Love these vids - keep em coming!

[@mathieuderouck9787]

I also wear these for 2 years , they are comfy but a bit to thin on the feet , sometimes I feel my cleats to much. Also not to wash to much because the stretch will go down . Otherwise good product 👍

[@matthewpassmore8618]

Great video and testing! thank you!

[@kevinoneill2170]

Thanks for the informative video!

[@princethumper]

I've been using these for over a year, raced Copenhagen last year and Challenge Roth this year, they're so comfortable and perfect for running in. I figured any aero benefits were just an added bonus. Interestingly they've started making a taller version, might need to order a pair of those now as well

[@fastorfiction]

I should have mentioned in the video that we tested the tall versions. I figured they’d be more aero.

[@TheGinger1]

I've found your videos through hearing it mentioned on the time trialling podcast. You're doing a great job. The fact that your taller riders get a bigger percentage gain is why the UCI has legislated a sock height so that the tall riders don't get an unfair advantage.

[@bobrox23]

Great videos! These socks sound great, but it looks to be $155 AUD for post to Australia - a bit much for me 😬 Looking forward to the calf sleeve video now 😅

[@nitrouspeed3583]

This was an extremely informative video and I want to thank you for your excellent presentation. As a fellow triathlete I am more curious about the silca socks over rule 28, however I am still very interested in knowing the potential savings of the rule 28 overshoes.

[@robertsamuel1994]

I would be really curious for the compresssport aero calf sleeves. They're not your typical aero sleeve type materialm but they do have very interesting aero features like the lines on the front and the dimple knitting patterns on the side. They offer great compression for the run part, but do feel a bit hot. Interested in how they compare to the usual calf sleeve design!

[@fastorfiction]

I tested them on an athlete last week and did see a slight improvement but not quite as good as either these socks or calf sleeves.

[@MarkInArizona]

Curious to see testing if you cut the foot off the sock and wore that turbulent producing section above the cuff of another pair. (Creating a knee-high legging.) Thus more aero correction behind the wider calf area and further reduction in drag?

[@fastorfiction]

Then it’s a calf sleeve. We’ve been testing those as well.

[@bpfastfeet25]

I've always wondered how this applies to helmets. There were a few TT helmets released over the years with dimples on the leading surface, but they've fallen out of popularity. What's the background/reasoning/efficacy behind dimples on helmets?

[@robertwhyte3435]

Does Tony's leg catch more wake off his downtube? I couldn't see a full rotation from the side of all your riders. Or, alternatively, does his downtube keep the air closer and leave his leg in less turbulent air? It would be interesting to see a few rotations from the side of each rider. Looking forward to more content. You likely don't remember me but you fitted me to a Fuji Transonic a few years ago. Been much better since, thanks.

[@BIGGY44]

Do you have any links to the details of the testing conditions? Speed, distance, time? What was the control or regular sock time vs aero? Seems like a pretty weak test to get the numbers to come out in the favor of selling socks.

[@jonathanzappala]

I had rule 28 socks, they fell down. I have 10 1/2 wide feet and skinny legs. That’s the problem with aero socks, they are sized by shoe size. I got rule 28 sleeves, they tend to slide down, but they are short in height. I’ve stuck with the old aerocoach trip sleeves, even though mine are getting worn out and don’t stay up as well anymore. I got about 9w vs ankle socks and hairy legs (5’9”)

[@nizam_mr]

Thanks for this info That rule28 socks you mentioned may not be useable for Tri guys (takes time to put on), but may still be relevant to Du guys like me, similar to TT riders 👍 /an option to look at

[@fastorfiction]

Yeah, they’re fine. We did experience an issue with them falling down which others have reported as well. No athlete has that issue with the Silcas.

[@andreasmaher8749]

As a duathlete Ive been using Velotoze calf sleeves. Dont know if theyre faster but its no biggie putting them on prerace and they stay up no problems while running.

[@dtdcampbell]

Curious on if cadence will also change the test. Example if the same rider will save more watts with a higher or lower cadence using an aero sock.

[@Alan_Hans__]

It looks like you might need to get Shaquille Oneal or someone else with a lot of height so that the socks can get the 18W savings that I have seen listed. I really do think that a baseline comparison should be done on a track bike in a velodrome at a fixed 250W and/or a fixed 40kmh. A difference in results of 1-2W can easily be achieved just from the wind direction, air temperature or position on the bike. A velodrome test removes a lot of factors from the testing and if the results don't show up there then the chances of them appearing in the outside world are almost guaranteed to be zero. I personally believe that anything more than a Watt is just marketing as the area covered/affected by the socks is such a small area of the bike and rider combination. If the principle was going to work then changing to bike shorts with chevrons on them would save maybe as much as 100W based on the frontal area.

[@trbeyond]

Sorry if I missed it but are these the Silca tall aero socks or the regular (original) height ones? And I agree, the Silca socks are easy to get on, stay up better than Rule28 and I can even run with the Silca.

[@fastorfiction]

They’re the tall version. 👍

[@douglasbooth6836]

Does your cadence make a difference? Not just linger legs, longer cranks so the curve your legs follow are larger?

[@davidlilja9180]

Great review, were these all the standard versions aero socks? There is a taller version as well, which may be worth trying for those not bound by UCI sock height rules. I guess we can be thankful that Josh @ Silca has a self-proclaimed cycling sock 'fetish' after all.

[@fastorfiction]

We used the tall versions. 👍

[@davidlilja9180]

@@fastorfiction Josh of Silca has stated that he does not personally like tall socks, unfortunately. I've not heard any comments by him about how he succumbed to create these taller (really just medium size in reality) versions, against his traditional, aesthetic wishes, yet! I stepped in by purchasing the original 'short' version immediately, but even the tall version doesn't allow me to reach the sock height the UCI allows me to wear, legally. I'm now 'just' 6'0" tall, but my legs remain the length of my once 6'2" height. Therefore, I'll be awaiting a real tall version before buying any more of either current size. He may relent again, as many Pro-team riders are also taller than average, like you and I both are. That triathlon (to my knowledge) has no such sock height limitations, it confounds me as to why Josh/Silca has not yet produced a range of sock heights to allow maximisation of such aero benefits 'equally' for more riders. Under the UCI, it is the rider and not the product's producer that must comply with any such rules. In UCI Gran Fondo racing, such height limitations remain unenforced for now, even in GF WCs. As our feet & lower legs are the fastest moving body part for both cyclists and runners, perhaps more runners and triathletes can gain aero benefits from wearing these. How tall would you wear your Silca aero socks yourself if more sized were available?

[@thepatternforms859]

Aero socks vs no socks at all?

[@shafiqjan1474]

I wish my old school MTB Roach leg pads were aerodynamic... Maybe they are? 🤔

[@heinik4349]

What is tonys sock size?

[@fastorfiction]

Medium

[@marcvermill5623]

Jim, I know your testing calve sleeves next. I currently race with compression sleeves. Did you test these Silca vs the calve sleeves? I have Ironman Canada in 3 weeks. Do you have any thoughts about if I should change to the Silca? (nothing new on race day, but I still have a little time before race day). Thanks!!

[@fastorfiction]

Tough call. Calf sleeves tend to provide more aero benefit, but whether or not they work for you is more hit or miss. We've found more consistency with the Silca socks.

[@tomfox8930]

@@fastorfiction Thanks! Had the same "decision-making" question for IM CPH! FWIW and others reading: I have used the Silca socks in previous races. Super comfortable, also in the running portion of a triathlon!

[@mrmettler1983]

Did both the men and women have shaved legs?

[@larrylem3582]

1) Cylinders are not "just about the worst shape for drag". Lots of shapes are worse such as squares, diamonds, cones, parachutes. 2) It would have been good to test "non-aero" socks to see if any sock is better than no sock.

[@woolfel]

Not a tri, just a normal cyclist that does casual rides. Surprised aero socks actually gives moderate improvement, would have thought it was nothing or marginal at best.

[@michaelvrbanac6923]

Race pace for a sprint? Olympic? Half? Full?