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.
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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.
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.
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
Lightweight and comfortable – what more can you ask?
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.
Follow fitting instructions and you'll be fine.
I found them particularly comfortable.
£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.
About the tester
Age: 27
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
12 comments
GBP 15 for Evans' own brand socks? Er, no thanks. Keep 'em.
Would they be better socks with the word 'Rapha' on them?
For a start they'd be £65, and no, they'd still be over-priced even if they were £15. The extra tenner is on there purely because they are associated with "cycling". The £3.99 BTwin ones get a whopping 1/2 a star less....
A bit pricey but I have a pair and have to say they're the best cycling socks I've bought....also the most expensive, which made me wince.
I tried on a couple of the Kalf jerseys while dropping my wheels off at Evans. I can't see how they differ from two Rapha jerseys I own, the fit feels the same, the colour and design very similar. You put a Rapha logo on them, people wouldn't notice and pay happily pay roughly £50 more. Think I'll be getting one of them along with these socks.
Maybe, maybe not. I don't know, because I own neither. But I do know that Rapha is a premium brand. Kalf isn't. But somehow they want a premium price. Must be the go-faster arrows on the back. They won't help.
Rapha sucks. Complete rip off.
There is a Kalf SS17 video out. Looks suspicioulsy like a Rapha video. Nuf said.
I've seen the Kalf stuff close up too and don't think it's the same quality (unless you have the Core range, then they are very similarly priced). The reason for this is the R&D and materials brands such as Castelli, Rapha and Assos put in. We started on talking about socks here, but for me the difference is what happens when things go wrong. Rapha stands behind its products; replacing them if they fail, or repairing them free of charge. Additionally, they offer a 50% off downsizing offer - which is unique, I think - and, they have a high residial value on eBay: so you can wear a jersey for while and then flog it and get most of your money back. Not sure why the brand attracts such criticism, but as a Rapha wearing, Audi driving keen reader of Road.cc I'm not feeling the love
too short.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxI-pcLj9XE
It's a pair of socks for fuck's sake. Get over it and move on.
Balls is it. It's a vital part of the foot-pedal power transfer dynamic interface system.