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Socks
Cafe du Cycliste Block Colour Cycling Socks2020 Cafe du Cycliste Colour Block Socks

Cafe du Cycliste Block Colour Cycling Socks

8
by Stu Kerton
UPDATED Sat, Jul 04, 2020 09:46

First Published Jul 4, 2020

0
£18.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Very soft, incredibly breathable socks give impressive ride comfort
Very soft fabric
Surprisingly cool
Excellent comfort
Upper end of the price range
Weight: 
32g
Contact: 
www.cafeducycliste.com
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Café du Cycliste has created a very lightweight and soft pair of socks with their Block Colour Cycling Socks. Despite being so comfortable, they also prove hardwearing, which goes some way to offsetting the high price.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy these online here

Now, a sock is a pretty lightweight item of clothing full stop, but these Block Colour Cycling Socks feel extremely light when you pick them up, and stay that way once on your feet.

They use a chunkier knit between the ankle and cuff than elsewhere, and I thought this would make them quite warm in the recent high (for the UK) temperatures of 26°C and above.

In fact, the opposite is true. The ribbed design feels like it works as a set of cooling fins; when riding along there's a noticeable breeze flowing over your lower legs.

> 19 of the best summer cycling socks — get some colour in your outfit with fresh socks

Below the ankle the knit is thinner and more open, as in basically a fine mesh. When paired with shoe vents, the Block Colours keep your feet cool, but not to such a degree that on gloomy days things get chilly. It's a good balance for temperature control.

They're reinforced around the heel and toe with 'anti-blister' yarn – the company doesn't say how it's anti blister – while a complete lack of any irritating seams means these socks are very comfortable throughout.

> How to choose the best cycling shoes for you — a buyer's guide

Available in three sizes (small, medium and large) the Block Colour socks cover feet of size 3 to 11. I wear a size 10, and the L is absolutely spot on. They come in various single and multi-colour options, too.

Block Colour Cycling Socks are priced at £18, but the overall quality is top notch and so is the performance. That price is the same as the Ashmei Classic Chequered Merino sock I tested at the same time, and I'd say the comfort and quality was right on par, too.

Simon recently tested the Santini Millie High Profile Socks and was very impressed with the performance. They're a bit cheaper at £14.99. Also cheaper are the very good Le Col Cycling Socks. Impressively comfortable and breathable, and just £14.

Overall though, the Café du Cyclist Block Colour Cycling Socks deliver everything you could want: excellent fabrics and effective knits, great comfort and cooling, all backed up by excellent build quality.

Verdict

Very soft, incredibly breathable socks give impressive ride comfort

road.cc test report

Make and model: Cafe du Cycliste Block Colour Cycling Socks

Size tested: 43-46

Tell us what the product is for

Cafe du Cycliste says: "Block colour cycling socks are constructed for maximum performance and comfort. Super soft against the skin and highly breathable, they can be matched with jerseys or bib shorts from across our range."

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

Anti-blister yarn

High wicking & fast drying

Fully breathable

Light & super soft

Made in italy

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
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:
 
9/10

I'm at the upper end of Large, and the fit was spot on.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

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

No shrinkage or wear issues at 30 degrees.

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

Comfort and breathability is impressive.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Very breathable.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

I wouldn't say I actually dislike anything.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

For the quality and performance they match socks from the likes of Ashmei at similar prices. You can get quality socks a bit cheaper though, such as those from Santini and Le Col (see main review).

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

Quality socks can be had for less, but these pretty much deliver the whole package – they're very good.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 41  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,

Cafe du Cycliste Block Colour Cycling Socks 2020
Cafe du Cycliste Block Colour Cycling Socks
Cafe du Cycliste 2020
Cafe du cycliste
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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