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review

Castelli Quindici socks

8
£18.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Warm and comfy merino wool socks; a little expensive but the quality is high
Weight: 
58g
Contact: 
www.saddleback.co.uk

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These socks from Castelli aren’t cheap but they are comfortable and provide a good level of insulation for chilly off-season rides.

They’re made mostly from merino wool – with acrylic, nylon, Lycra and elastic thrown into the mix – and are noticeably warmer than most synthetic socks of a similar weight. Plus, the wool naturally wicks moisture away from your skin to keep your feet feeling fresh when you work up a sweat.

The sole, toe and heel areas are a towelling weave which adds a bit of extra comfort and insulation, and the cuff extends up to about mid-calf height so there’s no danger of the frost nipping at your ankles. Quindici, as linguists will know, is the Italian for 15, and that’s the height of the upper section in centimetres. Oh yes, we’re full of interesting* facts, us.

We’ve been wearing these on and off for a few weeks now, including for some ridiculously cold rides, and they’ve kept our feet perfectly happy. There's a little bobbling on the heel and toe but we’re expecting a decent length of service.

* Debatable

Verdict

Warm and comfy merino wool socks; a little expensive but the quality is high

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Castelli Quinidici socks

Size tested: XXL

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Castelli say, "These high-performance socks keep your feet warm with all the wicking performance of Merino wool, with our highest cuff ever."

True. They're warm and they wick well to keep your feet nice 'n' fresh

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 190cm  Weight: 74kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding,

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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