Intended primarily as generic outdoor garments, they employ the same three layer seamless construction used in Seal Skinz gloves, keeping feet relatively temperate – and moreover completely dry – even when fully immersed in muddy water. The length and thickness might spoil the snug fit of both road and mtb race shoes but they're fine with trainer type and winter booties and I know of some folk who love pairing them with sandals for winter touring.
I’m not completely sold on the dayglo yellow cuffs and would’ve preferred Scotchlite reflective strips for night riding but on the other hand worn with shorts or three quarter lengths and turning a steady cadence they alert others to your presence even in murky conditions.
They’ve been a little on the warm side for hot summer riding but otherwise, seamless construction maintains the comfort factor and most importantly they do exactly what they promise, my six year old was mesmerised at how I’d managed dry feet even with my lower calves immersed in seawater!
Overshoes better serve Road, Audax and cross duties but these socks are pretty hard to beat for mountain biking, rough stuff touring and general outdoor pursuits such as rambling or even golf.
Dependable socks ideal for mountain biking, touring and the great outdoors.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Seal Skinz hi-viz socks
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?
These are waterproof, wind proof and breathable socks intended for the great outdoors- a little bulky and lacking in the style stakes for road use but great for mountain biking, touring and generally enjoying the great outdoors.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Coolmax base layer, waterproof, wind-proof and breathable hidrophillic membrane, outer KDK nylon/elastaine mix.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
7/10
Could be a little on the warm side in high summer.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
7/10
Fantastic in most conditions and with wider footwear.
Rate the product for value:
7/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
These are fantastic for changeable conditions, mountain biking and rough stuff touring in particular with no obvious weaknesses even when completely submerged. Coolmax wicks moisture very proficiently, although they're a bit on the warm side for balmy summer rides
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Comfort, quality of construction and of course, they're completely impervious to the elements.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing glaringly obvious but they're just a little thick for competition footwear.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? In the main, yes
Age: 35 Height: 1m 81 Weight: 70 kilos
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
moving on from the obvious condemnation of the driving and the 'puishment' of said driver. I would always advise riding in primary whenever there...
I hate it when I can't find the obvious source of a puncture.
Didn't they consider putting some sort of rifle on one and using it to 'police' the streets of New York, a couple of years ago?
Similar to how apparently there's nothing wrong with cyclists sharing a road with cars and SUVs and HGVs and yet shared use infrastructure...
Well, yes, that's kinda my point. I think stating that "Norway is socialist" is a questionable perspective. I'd say it was a Nordic social...
Now, if we're talking gravel bikes, that's a whole different story. Gimme, gimme, gimme! Apologies for the Facebook link....
The police are operationally independent, in fact the regional Police and Crime Commissioners have to swear in their oath of office that they will...
"'Right", said Fred, "we'll 'ave to get a move on…"
Thanks for the review. I like that Orbea have included aero extras and wish more manufacturers would stick two fingers up at the UCI - at least in...
Excellent - I think I'll replace my emergency tube that is a real squeeze to get into the little Topeak bottle cage bag thingy....