Primal Apparel Basalt socks

The Primal Apparel Basalt socks are mid-length and surprisingly airy socks that don't feel overly synthetic in the way some can. They're long enough for mountain bike and gravel excursions, and I thought the 3D pattern struck a nice balance between funky and flamboyant.

Made predominantly of acrylic and polyamide, with smaller quantities of elastane and Lycra (15 and 10% respectively) thrown into the mix, they're hardly exotic, but tried and tested and low maintenance.

There's some minor reinforcement at the toe box and heel sections, which hits the right notes. Sure, more substantial cushioning can translate into greater comfort, but on the flip side they can also spoil the snug fit of sportier touring and mountain bike shoes.

I take size 43 street and 44 cycling shoes and found the L/XL perfect. Something of an Imelda Marcos when it comes to cycling shoes, I thought the Basalts worked handsomely with racing slippers, sport/traditional touring shoes and mountain bike booties.

Interestingly, Primal hasn't gone the left/right-specific route. This isn't a bad thing, especially if you're a bit bleary eyed when whipping them on, although I have found the left/right-specific types of comparable materials improve foot fatigue on very long rides, especially off-road.

Calf length (as distinct from ankle) is designed to offer some additional protection against stray stones/sharps thrown up by the front tyre – not to mention thistles, long grass, nettles and other prickly stuff. The cuffs keep everything in situ without any hint of tell-tale branding when it's time to strip off and hit the shower.

Style divided opinions among the road riders I spoke to. Personally, I appreciated some additional coverage for early season tarmac-centric duties, especially beneath thin Lycra tights, and didn't think they looked weird with 3/4 knickers either.

> Buyer's Guide: Summer cycling socks

The Primals haven't felt overly synthetic, even after a few steady hours in the saddle. I'm prone to sweaty feet and am pleased to report that wicking is also competitive when pitted against some polyester/merino hybrids. When temperatures creep into the teens, there's that familiar warm glow if you've been clipping along for 30 minutes at 85-100rpm, but the fibres soon kick in to maintain an ambient, arid inner climate.

Organic grime and evidence of the odd close encounter with the drivetrain have vanished in a 30-degree wash. Plucked from the machine, they're bone dry in around 25 minutes, less if line drying and aided by a stiff breeze.

Bottom line, socks aren't the most exciting of kit, but a bad pair can really ruin a ride. These are a decent everyday design and likely to win favour with riders who like to mix things up both in terms of style and riding, though for touring I'd probably opt for merino mixes.

Verdict

Funky and practical everyday socks that compare favourably with some merino hybrids