Le Col uses a nylon yarn for the socks and when you put them on they feel absolutely lovely. The fabric is soft but because of the knit weave they're also quite supportive – not in a compressive way, just secure. The sock moves with your foot rather than allowing your foot to move around within it.
The ribbed cuff sits at a medium height below the calf and above the ankle and I never had any issues with them not staying up.
Le Col has used a honeycomb style pattern for the knit on the main part of the sock which makes sure they are breathable, even the part inside the shoes.
For the sole the material is slightly thicker for added comfort plus resistance to wear and tear. It's here that you'll find a terry towelling finish and it really adds to the softness of the sock.
I wore these socks on some quite long rides and they really did keep my feet feeling fresh and comfortable throughout, no matter how stiff the shoes were that I was wearing.
On the whole I'm very impressed, but as with most things it comes down to money. At £14 these Le Col socks are a few quid more than most, such as the excellent Kalf Tall Socks at £11.99 or the Sweet Protection Crossfire models at £12.99.
We are talking just a few pounds here and there, though, and even at full RRP the Le Cols offer great performance and build quality for the money.
Make and model: Le Col Cycling Socks
Tell us what the product is for
Le Col says, "The new and improved Le Col sock features a beautifully soft and highly wicking nylon yarn for a durable lightweight cycling sock. The unique honeycomb structure of the sock allows for a increased airflow on the foot for breathable comfort in both hot weather and mid-range temperatures. The light terry padding on the underfoot and heel provides a snug comforting fit for longest rides. Reinforced seams on the toe and heel prevent chafing providing a sock that's near unnoticeable on the bike."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Le Col lists:
Fabric
100% Polyamide
Construction:
Honeycomb construction
Terry padding on the underfoot and heel
Ribbed cuff for grip
Reinforced toe and heel seams
Care instructions:
Cool wash
Dry flat
Do not bleach
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
9/10
Rate the product for sizing:
8/10
They come in two sizes and the L/XL fit me fine.
Rate the product for weight:
7/10
Rate the product for comfort:
10/10
Rate the product for value:
5/10
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
I was worried about the white staining but even on a cool wash so far there haven't been any issues. They come in other colours too.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
They are comfortable and highly breathable.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Great fit.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing really to dislike.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
A little pricier than a lot on the market but they back it up with their quality.
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
A great pair of socks, offering pretty much faultless performance, comfort and build quality.
Age: 40 Height: 180cm Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components
I've been riding for: Over 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
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