Northwave’s Access Pois Socks are a well-performing, nattily designed pair for warmer seasons.
- Pros: Nice design, keep your feet cool and dry, ‘on trend’ length, reasonable pricepoint
- Cons: Not cheap
Socks. You may despair when you get them for Christmas, but we all love a pair of jazzy socks. Northwave has hit the nail on the head with this design, striking a nice balance between stylish and unusual, yet reasonably sophisticated and not over the top.
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The polypropylene material is pretty standard in most socks, yet these feel quite lush on the feet; luxurious and cosy. However, they never make your feet hot and tacky, with the fabric quickly wicking and drying sweat. As such, I’d say they’re a great option for spring through to autumn.
On my September test rides at around 12-18°C, my feet never felt either hot or cold; and that concept of ‘not knowing they’re on’ is just what you want. They also handled a few rather sweaty turbo sessions very well. However, I wouldn’t want to wear them in deep winter as they’re not particularly thick.
The socks are the de rigueur 16cm length, so you won’t get caught out by the fashion police. And, unlike some socks, the length is well maintained by a nicely grippy double cuff around the top.
At £13.99 a pair they’re not exactly a bargain, but it’s pretty much on-par for specialist socks nowadays. The socks perform well and so seem worth the money, though you can get cheaper.
All in all, a great pair of socks at an acceptable price.
Verdict
A nice looking pair of socks that perform well in warm-to-mild temperatures
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Northwave Access SS18 Pois Socks
Size tested: Medium
Tell us what the product is for
As Northwave says: ‘The Access Pois Socks from Northwave are the perfect choice to keep your feet happy and comfortable over any distance. These technical socks are great to wear when things are going to be particularly intense, as the sumptuous polypropylene yarn wicks sweat away from your skin and dries at the surface at astonishing speed. The construction of the double cuff also keeps the socks in place at all times.’
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
From Northwave:
* Fast-drying polypropylene yarn
* Double cuff
* Height: 16 cm
* Weight: 17 g
The material feels good to wear and the socks were well made.
They are comfortable, and good at regulating your foot’s temperature and moistness.
So far so good. The socks have gone through 4-5 washes with no issues.
The size medium, for 40-43 feet, works well for me and I’m typically a 43.
£13.99 is pretty much on-par for specialist socks nowadays, and these perform well and so seem worth the money.
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
The socks are comfortable and wick sweat well.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The design, and the socks are comfortable.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Not much.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
Cheaper than the Neon Velo KOM socks, more expensive than Saikel’s.
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 overall score
The socks get a solid 8. They perform well in all areas, with no particular downsides. There’s nothing about them that’s mind-glowingly brilliant however, hence not a 9.
About the tester
Age: 31
I usually ride: Giant TCR / Cannondale Supersix My best bike is: Giant TCR
I’ve been riding for: 5-10 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding
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