Sock repair...

[Catrin]

I'd mend them with some fine wool & nylon blend from the yarn store, and try a bigger size next time.

The thing is, the larger sizes are just so big in my heels...

[OakLeaf]

Even the women's specific SW socks? They don't do that to me, even with my men's EEEE forefeet and women's B heels...

You might give the wool Injinjis a try too. They're a little bit too thin for me, but if you prefer a thinner sock anyway, they could work. I'm very unimpressed with the SW toe socks.

[jessmarimba]

Just wanted to throw out there - I have pointier feet than most socks are made and I do better with foot-specific socks. Have a few pair of Keens that are wool blend and are designated left/right and those don't seem to wear through on the toes as quickly. Maybe that would help?

[Catrin]

I was a little bored last night, so I started looking at all of my sports-related socks. The only socks that I have this problem with are the wool socks, which are for the most part all PHD socks. I do wear cotton socks during the summer for riding as well as very thin wool socks. My thick smartwool tall socks have never had this problem - but they are too thick to wear with my bike shoes. I noted today when I was putting my shoes on for riding that there is very, very little room between my toes and the front of my shoe. If the shoes aren't too small then they are right at the border. Most of my cotton riding socks are right/left specific - and I've had no problem with those outside of one pair I've had for a couple of years...

Food for thought, and I appreciate the ideas! I can't swing another pair of bike shoes right now, but I will seek out some right/left specific socks in the next larger size and see how that goes. I do not think any of my wool socks have been that way.

[OakLeaf]

Not really relevant, but I just had to mention that today I'm wearing for my run, my very first pair of SW socks, the ones I got in my goody bag when I did a retreat in April, 2006 - the retreat that got me back on a road bike after 12 years.

Granted I don't think SW's quality control is what it used to be ... they may all have been USA made at that time, also ... but there are a lot of miles on those 6-1/2 year old socks, they are actually a size too small for me, and they're not so much as getting thin in the toes!

[malkin]

Agree about the QC, especially for the lighter weight ones.

The thing is, the larger sizes are just so big in my heels...

They might not stay big if you wash 'em and wear 'em a few times. I sometimes get brewer's hand-me-downs when they don't fit him anymore. You could start out wearing them for slippers or something. For me, I'd want bigger shoes, especially if the shoes are not leather, with its friendly give and take.