We don’t review many socks on road.cc, but the Kalf Tall socks are worth a mention. They complement the Kalf Flux jersey and bib shorts very well, matching up with the little fluoro-orange/pink highlights and completing the look, and they also have some nice little touches.

://www.evanscycles.com/store-finder">> Find your nearest Evans store here

The reflective dotted pattern in a chevron design at the rear offers clear advantages for safety, with the length of the sock providing plenty of space for the full impact of the design. The XLs on test reach just to the base of the soleus muscle on the calf, and fit my UK size 11.5 feet well.

Kalf Tall Sock – reflective details.jpg
Kalf Tall Sock – reflective details (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

They’re also very comfortable, with a ‘Meryl Skinlife’ fabric that not only ensures your feet stay odour-free, but also keeps the socks soft after multiple washes.

There’s not much in the way of extra padding around the sock – it’s pretty much all one thickness – but that makes them really suitable for hot summer riding where extra padding and insulation are not what you need.

The only negative thing I can find with them is that, if you do happen to wear them on a hot day in new shoes, the orange/pink colour can easily absorb dye from the soles of new shoes. Although that could be down to the shoes themselves, it’s worth noting that the bright colour of these particular socks means any discolouration shows up easily when you take your shoes off.

> Six summer socks

Other than that, these are a nice pair of socks that I’d happily wear to accompany the rest of the Kalf range, and recommend them to you too.

Verdict

Very good socks that match up to other Kalf kit well

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Kalf Tall Sock

Size tested: X Large

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?

Kalf says: “Kalf Tall Socks stay odour-free for longer thanks to the Meryl Skinlife yarn, which incorporates silver micro-particles to keep bacteria at bay for more than 100 washes. The three chevrons on the back of the sock are reflective.”

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

Features:

– Meryl Skinlife yarn

– Reflective nodule chevron design

– Summer weight

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Lightweight and comfortable – what more can you ask?

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Some colour has absorbed into the bottom of the sock, but that could be down to the sole of the new test shoes I was using at the time.

Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

Follow fitting instructions and you’ll be fine.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10

I found them particularly comfortable.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

£15 isn’t exactly ‘great’ value, but these are very good socks, and go well with other Kalf kit.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Fine.

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

Really well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The design, colour and comfort.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing, except possibly the ease at which the bottoms absorb dye.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

Very good summer socks that complement the rest of the Kalf range.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 27  Height: 188cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride: Canyon Ultimate CF SL 9.0 SL (2016)  My best bike is:

I’ve been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

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