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Socks
Galibier Pro Lite SocksGalibier Pro Lite Socks.jpg

Galibier Pro Lite Socks

9
by Stu Kerton
UPDATED Wed, Jun 15, 2016 15:47

First Published Jun 15, 2016

8
£7.00

VERDICT:

9
10
Brilliant socks if you're into the whole fluoro thing, comfort is guaranteed
Weight: 
32g
Contact: 
galibier.cc
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Socks are probably the least thought about part of your entire kit, but a good pair can make a huge difference to your ride. The Galibier Pro Lite Socks are one of those pairs, giving your feet a little cuddle on every pedal stroke.

It's true though, isn't it? We fret about our shorts, our shoes and mitts, but the majority of us just grab any old pair of socks out of the drawer – I know I do.

> Buy these online here

UK brand Galibier is building up a reputation for really good kit at sensible prices. I've tested loads of it in the past but also laid out my own money on the stuff, everything from caps through to time trial speedsuits. It's safe to say I was expecting big things from these socks.

As soon as you put them on, the Pro Lites just feel good, so soft and also really minimalistic in terms of weight.

Size-wise they are bang on with Galibier's recommendations, and even though as a size 45 I'm close to the lower end of the L/XL range, they never felt baggy or oversized.

Summer seems to have turned up, and I've been putting in plenty of long rides in the sun – four or five hours, where your feet can start to swell – but still the Pro Lites remain comfortable. Their lightweight mesh construction allows plenty of breathability to prevent sweaty feet.

Galibier has also used Meryl Skinlife material to combat odour; it includes silver microparticles, a known natural antibacterial property which kills the bugs before they can start to whiff.

With a reinforced sole and heel, the Galibier socks stand up to plenty of abuse, and I'd expect them to last years. They include a small amount of Lycra to add some stretch for a more snug fit and that also means they are very easy to get on without snagging.

As far as value goes, they are pretty good at £7 a pop, and if you order two pairs you'll get them for £6 each.

Overall, the Galibier socks are some of the most comfortable I've worn, and, as barmy as it sounds, they really make a difference over a long ride.

Verdict

Brilliant socks if you're into the whole fluoro thing, comfort is guaranteed

road.cc test report

Make and model: Galibier Pro Lite Socks

Size tested: Large/XL

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?

Galibier says: "These are as good as ANY sock out there, regardless of price,and feature the durability necessary for intense riding."

I have to say they are some of the most comfortable cycling socks I've worn, especially in warm temperatures.

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

70% Meryl Skinlife® nylon

10% Polipropilene®

18% Poliamide

2% Lycra®

"Featuring a new nylon fabric, the Pro lite Socks wick sweat efficiently, are soft, comfortable, and stay in position.The highlight of these lightweight summer socks, is a reinforced footbed for all day comfort. The footbed is a lightly padded square at the main pressure point at the cleat to protect the tendons and permit blood flow. The hard wearing toe and heal areas are 100% nylon and the socks will take a 40DegreeC machine wash to keep them looking smooth.

With a breathable mesh upper, these socks are designed for high-intensity riding or racing. The fabric has added Lycra to provide more stretch and constructed of smooth Meryl Skinlife® nylon to battle odours and maximise moisture transfer."

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Top notch socks that are very well made indeed.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Probably the most comfortable cycling-specific socks I've ever worn. Comfy, cool and a great fit.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Wearing well so far.

Rate the product for fit:
 
9/10

Soft against the skin and feel very light.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
10/10

Spot on.

Rate the product for weight:
 
7/10

Lightweight socks for summer use.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
10/10

Feet huggers, mmmmmm.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Some top end socks offering similar comfort and performance are twice the price.

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

A 40 degree wash, and they come out of the machine the same size as they went in.

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

Super comfy, super cool.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The comfort is noticeable the second you put them on.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Hmmm, struggling here.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Without a doubt.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

You can ride in any socks, agreed, but when you put on a pair of cycling-specific ones and every pedal revolution feels beautiful and comfortable, you know it's worth the (rather minimal here) investment.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: Mason Definition

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

Galibier Pro Lite Socks 2016
Galibier Pro Lite Socks
Galibier 2016
Galibier
Stu Kerton

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

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8 comments

Avatar
Yorky-M | 8 years ago
0 likes

lovely

Avatar
Jimnm | 8 years ago
0 likes

I wear waterproof socks in the wet, they're pricey but well worth it.

Avatar
fukawitribe | 8 years ago
0 likes

Cracking, thanks Stu. Some of their (other) socks on the shopping list too, lovely and you can never have too many good socks in my book.

Avatar
Dnnnnnn replied to fukawitribe | 8 years ago
3 likes
fukawitribe wrote:

you can never have too many good socks in my book.

Why do you want socks in a book?? 

Avatar
Freddy56 | 8 years ago
0 likes

Lovely. Lovely. Lovely. And will match my new Sidi kickers a treat. Pretty sure Mr roadcc model the white pad is to go under the foot? 

Avatar
willythepimp replied to Freddy56 | 8 years ago
0 likes
Freddy56 wrote:

Lovely. Lovely. Lovely. And will match my new Sidi kickers a treat. Pretty sure Mr roadcc model the white pad is to go under the foot? 

 

They look a bit wonkey to my eyes too

Avatar
fukawitribe | 8 years ago
1 like

Stu, bit OTT - hope you don't mind me asking but which skin-suit(s) did you get and what did you think ? I've been debating getting one for 'cross, cracking prices but not much in the way of reviews. Cheers.

Avatar
Stu Kerton replied to fukawitribe | 8 years ago
1 like

fukawitribe wrote:

Stu, bit OTT - hope you don't mind me asking but which skin-suit(s) did you get and what did you think ? I've been debating getting one for 'cross, cracking prices but not much in the way of reviews. Cheers.

I had this one - http://galibier.cc/chrono9/

Can't remember the exact model name but it was very, very good. I also had a Castelli Speedsuit at the time which was awesome but so fragile that it was saved for key time trials only. The Galibier offered 99% of the performance for 30% of the price in my eyes and was used for all my other races.

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