Socks appeal
£13.99 – £25 Comfortable feet can transform your ride enjoyment…
01 Giro Comp Racer High Rise socks £13.99 Sizes S (3-6); M (7-9); L (9-11); XL (12-14) Colours 20 choices
● THESE 6” SOCKS are a modern take on a classic design, with Coolmax fabric helping to keep your feet dry, comfortable and wick away moisture. Strategically placed perforations aid ventilation too. The fit is spot-on and they still remained fresh after a day’s use. So why not full marks? The sock material just isn’t as luxuriously comfortable as some of the other options and I was aware I was wearing them when riding. They’re a solid choice for the price, though, especially for use on those long and hot summer days.
02 Endura Pro SL Sock II £15.99 Sizes S/M (5-8.5); L/XL (9-12.5) Colours 9 choices
● ENDURA SAYS THAT this sock is crafted from super-fine, wicking Meryl fabric, designed to be comfortable as well as breathable yet resistant to wind and rain. I like the compressive fit and medium length but, although the Meryl fabric is reasonably comfortable, it’s overshadowed by all the other socks on test. Out on the road, I didn’t find the socks particularly breathable and my feet felt toasty at a moderate 17°C. The socks do keep water at bay in drizzly conditions, though, so are perhaps best used in cool, wet conditions.
03 Assos GT Socks C2 £15 Sizes 0 (3.5-6), I (6.5-9), II (9.5-12) Colours 6 choices
● ASSOS’ GT SOCKS C2 are designed for breathability in warmer weather and the latest version features new yarns for quicker drying and better ventilation. There’s also a slightly longer cuff for additional support. On the road, the socks are faultless. They're so comfortable that I quickly forgot I was wearing them. The material doesn’t seem too thin to raise any questions of durability, nor does the sock affect shoe sizing. Breathability is excellent and I’d have no hesitation in using these socks for big, warm days in the saddle.
04 DeFeet Evo Mont Ventoux 6” socks £18.86 Sizes S (3-6); M (7-9); L (10-12); XL (13+) Colours 6 choices
● BUILT TO HELP you cope with hot weather, these socks have a ‘continuous 360° vent grid’ from the upper cuff to the toe box, according to DeFeet (we presume these are the visible perforations). I can certainly vouch that these socks perform admirably in 22°C conditions, and I didn’t get a sweat on. Easily the most compressive on test, the socks are also very thin, including a ‘no-feel toe seam’ that, while comfortable, does make me wonder about durability. However, if you suffer from hot feet, these are definitely worth a try.
05 MAAP Alt_Road Merino socks £25 Sizes XS (up to size 4); S/M (4-8); L/XL (9-11) Colours 2 choices
● MAAP’S MERINO SOCKS are targeted at all-day comfort and are anti-odour due to the natural fibres. The socks certainly deliver on both of those fronts. However, the sizing is a little strange. I tested the L/XL, meant for shoe sizes 9-11, and I typically ride size 11. I found the socks disproportionately long in the foot and had to compromise on the fit to allow the ankle of the sock to sit in its correct position. Luckily, this sizing quirk doesn’t translate to real-world conditions. At £25, these lightweight socks aren’t cheap, but they are 80% merino (which is pricey).
06 Rapha Reflective Brevet socks £22 Sizes S (5-6), M (7-8); L (9-10); XL (11+) Colours 3 choices
● DESIGNED FOR LONG endurance rides and multi-day tours, these mediumweight wool and PrimaLoft-blend socks have great breathability, anti-whiff properties and comfort as well as being quick-drying (although they seemed equally quick to get wet through in rain). There’s also a reflective stripe on the cuff for added visibility. These socks are among the most comfortable on test and I’d definitely use them for longer rides and trips away, though they are an investment. Oscar Huckle