Aero Socks: Gains, but at what cost?

Aerodynamic of cycling kit is highly personal, but without the resources for wind tunnel time or the skills/patience to find tiny differences with the Chung method, we are left to interpret data if we want to make informed equipment choices. Hopefully this video can help.
My riding group talked a lot about aero socks on the 600k brevet a few weeks ago, having all seen the Dylan Johnson video in the wind tunnel, so I was inspired to explore the topic from a non-sponsored perspective. This video examines the claims of aero sock manufacturers, gets nerdy assessing the plausibility of those claims, and reviews the practicality of aero socks from thousands of kilometers experience wearing them.
Resources:
Boundary layer flow interaction with a permeable wall (2018): www.researchgate.net/publicat...
Fluid Mechanics 2nd Ed. Ch. 11 (2010): contents.kocw.net/KOCW/documen...
Winstead Speed Shop Tests: • A2 Wind Tunnel TT Bike...
Bike Radar Test: • Don't Waste Your Money...
Dylan Johnson Aero Test: • We Tested Gravel Equip...
Mamilain Aero Sock Fail: • Castelli Fast Feet Aer...
EDIT (Aug. 2): New Test by ERO Sports is up for the Silca Socks: • Aero Tested: Silca Aer...
Taco Vanderhoorn's Aero Leggings: www.cyclingnews.com/news/taco...
Manufacturers:
www.rule28.com/collections/ae...
nopinz.com/product-tag/aero-s...
silca.cc/products/new-aero-socks
www.castelli-cycling.com/US/e...
lecol.cc/en-kr/products/pro-a...
defeet.com/
www.velotoze.com/products/aer...
Tools:
gribble.org
Reynolds number calculator: www.omnicalculator.com/physic...
0:00 Intro
0:40 Claims Translated
2:19 Mechanism of Gains
3:08 Plausibility
5:08 Practicality, Ease of Use
6:39 Conclusion
8:20 Bonus Watts

[@uhohDavinci]

Aero socks.. but disc brakes.. brilliant plan.

[@overbikedrandonneuring]

Rim brake trolling in 2024? Do better next time.

[@abcdefg8134]

@@overbikedrandonneuring’do better’… worst phrase of the year

[@911norman]

This video goes in to much more detail than i expected it to be.👍

[@wazzup105]

Don't forget any marginal gain is multiplied by these huge distances randonneurs ride. And at the cost of a few bucks it's probably the most cost-effective marginal gain available you can buy (well apart from aero bars maybe)

[@overbikedrandonneuring]

Absolutely. That sentiment is one I hope to promote amongst other randonneurs.

[@georgec2894]

I do recall some testing by aero coach which showed covering the knees in aero fabric had little improvement over the long aero socks up to the uppermost calf. Great detailed video 👍

[@jamese8508]

I haven't used aero socks yet, but I'm a big fan of arm covers for several reasons: sun protection, staying cools tasing warm, aerodynamics (without shaving my arms).

[@jamese8508]

I recently discovered your channel and have been enjoying it very much. I don't do organized brevets. I do solo touring in the most remote areas I can find. It looks like you are based in South Korea - one of the most densely populated country on earth. I'm an American who likes to bike in the wilderness of Canada. Sometimes I sleep outdoors. My biking requires somewhat more emphasis on the ruggedness and reliability of the bike, but I also pay attention to efficiency. I've been thinking about aero socks. Thanks for the video.

[@overbikedrandonneuring]

You are correct! It's an interesting population distribution here, but it is really nice for cycling. I live on the edge of city of 1.5 million, and have a few 40+ story highrises a few minutes walk to the south, but access to countryside roads are less than 10 minutes ride to the north. No suburban sprawl, and country roads are super low traffic and slow speed. Are you out west in Canada or further north? I lived in Ontario for a few years, but didn't get much wilderness time there.

[@jamese8508]

I live in New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the US. I've done my touring in Quebec and New Brunswick. Trips have included a ride "down" the St Lawrence and through the Gaspe Peninsula, rides around southern Quebec and Ontario, and an aborted attempt to ride to the Cree village of Chisasibi on Hudson Bay. Future plans include the Maritimes, the north shore of the St Lawrence, and anther crack at Chisasibi.@@overbikedrandonneuring

[@overbikedrandonneuring]

Are the minor benefits of aero socks worth the price and potential downsides?

[@nockee]

I’m a Rule 28 rando dude. Why not?

[@Zyzzyx42]

Hmm... not something I'll get to enjoy, or have to worry about, being a recumbent rider. ;)

[@overbikedrandonneuring]

You might be surprised! Since shins hit the air first, shaving legs or aero socks probably still have a measurable advantage. You can see James Coxon's recent record setting ride photos on his trike and he has used full aero overshoes.

[@stefanwagener]

I guess hairy legs are as good as aero socks then? :)

[@overbikedrandonneuring]

Ha! I'll have to plan a video on 'Best razors to shave men's legs'

[@mbastos1000]

LOL LOL LOL LOL fix your chain!

[@overbikedrandonneuring]

Haha, I was doing some maintenance and accidentally destroyed my BB in the process. Any bike that survives me owning it deserves an award.