Socks are optional when the weather gets cooler (because neither of us like any other shoes as much as we love these. Especially if you have tiny ears, are very active, or have sensitive ears to the buds in them. For me they run pretty true to size (I wear a 6 1/2 in other shoes and these), but I know that a lot of people like to get them a 1/2 size bigger. Definitely wouldn?t buy these if anything else like tiger arcs are available, or your stock pads are in good condition. Of course all that rotational flexibility raises concerns for longevity, but for the moment, Im liking it. it still has chemicals in it! UPDATE June 2020: It?s been 8 months since I?ve bought this headset, and I just wanted to report back that it has held up ROCK SOLID. Overall it looks hot! Clearly overtightened the bolts with the first bar, so backed them out, but still tightened a lot cause I just cant stand the thought of them loose or finger tightened only, SUPs offer a lot of wind resistance. The seam between the lace and other fabric on the leg digs in to the thigh when you sit.