The Universal Colours Mono Summer Socks are light, comfortable, nicely breathable and well made. They may not last if you fail to keep your toenails in check, however.
If you’re a fan of the likes of Maap and Pas Normal Studios (PNS), the almost industrial, modernist look of these will appeal. Universal Colours has made a feature of the label, slapping it proudly on each sock and aligning it towards onlookers who might wonder what the factory was like. It’s in Taiwan and ‘internationally audited for social and environmental good practice’, apparently.
If this Portobello Grey doesn’t appeal, there are four other fashionably muddy-toned colours plus the usual white or black.
They feel as nice as they look, with a firm grip around your calves and midfoot, and an easy stretch towards the toes. The downside is that they often end rides stretched very tight, and while it never affected comfort, it did mean the ends were getting sawn at pretty hard. The toebox rapidly developed obvious lines of distortion and sliced threads, though to be fair my nails are more like Rosa Klebb’s shoe-knife than anything natural. It’s not something I’ve noticed with other summer socks, though.
That said, keep your feet declawed (I subsequently had a farrier do mine) and they fare just fine.
Though these are called summer socks, I found them comfortable down to 10°C (maybe that’s the new summer), and they have no problem wicking sweat when it’s humid.
At £14 for not just one but two socks, these are reasonably priced – the majority we review are more. The Northwave Extreme Air Sock is a fair alternative, though, coming in six colours and breathing both extreme air and normal air well for £13.49.
The aforementioned PNS does summer ones for £18, and MAAP’s lightweight Evolve Sock is also £18. For a fashion-forward cycling brand, the UC Monos are quite cheap.
You can check out more options in our guide to the best cycling socks.
Overall
Socks! We all need them, and these are some. They look good, are cool and comfy and – so long as you keep your nails short – should last well.
Verdict
Stylish, light and cool designer socks for a decent price
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Universal Colours Mono Summer Socks
Size tested: 42-45
Tell us what the product is for and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it?
Universal Colours says: “Brighten up your summer look with these stylish, tall fit socks. Constructed from a blend of nylon and Coolmax EcoMade yarn, they are abrasion resistant and highly breathable, effectively wicking away unwanted moisture on warmer days. Completed with a mesh top and compressive arch support, the Mono socks ensure comfort through the longest rides.”
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product
Universal Colours lists:
Socks that combine functionality and comfort
Made from a nylon and Coolmax® EcoMade yarn blend for durability and breathability
Tall fit with a mesh top and compressive arch support
Designed and created by Universal Colours.
Made in Taiwan by an internationally audited factory to ensure social and environmental good practice.
6.5% Nylon
40% Coolmax EcoMade
3.5% Lycra
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well, though long toenails can damage them.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Comfy, quite stylish, light and quite cool.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Toebox seems vulnerable to long nails.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
They’re cheaper than the majority we 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
These would be an 8 had they not suffered so rapidly from damage in the toebox. While trimming my nails immediately stopped any more damage occurring, and thus you could say the problem was me, most socks cope just fine with the haphazard array of weaponry my little piggies tend to go to market with.
About the tester
Age: 48 Height: 183cm Weight: 78kg
I usually ride: Vitus Zenium SL VR Disc My best bike is:
I’ve been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: A few times a week I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: general fitness riding, mtb,
2 thoughts on “Universal Colours Mono Summer Socks”
Since when has £14 been
Since when has £14 been considered a plus as a “decent price”? Get real.
they are way too long. remind
they are way too long. remind me of my granny’s bedsocks.