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review

Louis Garneau Tuscan Long Socks

7
£9.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Cool moisture-shifting socks for the warmer weather
Weight: 
34g
Contact: 
www.evanscycles.com

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The Louis Garneau Tuscan socks are really thin and they provide good moisture transfer to keep your feet comfortable in warm conditions.

They're made mostly from Meryl Skinlife fabric with nylon and Lycra making up the remainder of the mix. The Skinlife is said to be bacteriostatic. Whassat? It means that rather than killing off bacteria, it is designed to keep the bacteria level on your skin at a constant level. Does it work? To be honest, I don't know – my eyesight really isn't that powerful – but these don't get stinky very easily at all so I'm guessing that it's pretty successful.

Louis Garneau reckon: 'The lack of bulk minimizes loss of power transfer caused by friction between your feet and shoes.' So they're saying these are efficient socks? I must say, that sort of claim makes me suspicious. Much more relevant to me is the fact that these kept my feet very cool.

The top of the foot is mesh so air can flow in through any vented sections in your shoes while the sole and the upper section – the bit that sits outside your shoe – are a denser weave. Those areas are still cool, though, the only double thickness being the 1cm cuff right at the top.

The downside to that is that these aren't warm in the winter. You'll want something thicker and more insulating when the temperature drops... but that's pretty obvious.

They shift moisture fast, and being so thin they don't hang on to dampness – so if your feet do tend to sweat, these will do a good job of coping. They are lasting well too. After about three months of use they're still looking good without any particular signs of wear. I've been using both white and black versions; the white ones aren't coming out of the washing machine as bright as they once were, but that's normal after a few wet rides.

One final thing, as you can see from the pic, these are slightly longer than ankle socks, bang on trend for that Euro-style look if that floats your bateau.

At the time or writing, Evans are selling these at £6.99, making them a bit of a bargain.

Verdict

Cool moisture-shifting socks for the warmer weather.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Louis Garneau Tuscan Long Socks

Size tested: Black/White

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?

Louis Garneau say, "The Tuscan socks are ultra moisture wicking. Ultra thin, the lack of bulk minimizes loss of power transfer caused by friction between your feet and shoes. Mesh at upper and under the foot perfectly aligns with ventilation channels in Louis Garneau shoes for increased airflow."

The sole of the foot isn't mesh - that just applies to the upper.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Meryl say, "Meryl Skinlife is bacteriostatic, a fibre which maintains a natural balance on the skin regardless of activity level. The human skin normally has a bacteria presence. A high level of bacteria, as well as a complete absence, creates various problems (allergy, odour, illness etc) Meryl Skinlife is not a bactericide: it does not decrease the bacteria level lower than what is normally present in the skin."

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

They're good. The seam above the toe isn't particularly prominent.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

They keep your feet really cool... and that's the idea.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

They're looking good. I can't see any particular signs of wear yet.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

If you can get them at £6.99 the're very good value.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Proper job.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The coolness... in termperature, I mean, although they do look pretty neat too.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing.

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: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 41  Height: 190cm  Weight: 75kg

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, club rides, 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. 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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