These Pongo Grey Breton Stripe socks are comfy and suit warm weather rides. The length is great and the styling means they’re not just for the bike. They’re pricey though.
- Pros: I love the styling, very comfy
- Cons: Size up quite small
Pongo does its Breton socks in all sorts of colours, so if you like the design but the neon pink and yellow isn’t for you, there are a few more subtle options.
I’ve really liked using these socks. They’ve stopped my feet from getting sweaty both on the bike and during normal wear. Breathability is aided by the mesh section on the top of the foot and this works well with the ‘fine Italian yarns’ to keep feet cool.
Combine this with the striped design and I think you’ve got socks that can easily be used with regular clothes, making them great for those of us who commute by bike.
These sit very nicely between the foot and the shoe, with no odd seams to cause irritation.
Durability is also good, with the anti-twist keeping the fit as new. The material at the toe and heel is different to the rest of the sock, but there’s not the same type of durable material here that you get with a pair of DeFeet socks.
The fit is also on the small side, with my size 42 feet suiting the larger size much better.
At £16, these aren’t the priciest socks we’ve tested, but they’re up there. DeFeet’s Cyclismo Tab socks are £17.99. I love the styling of the Pongo socks, though I’d probably pick a slightly more subtle colour.
Overall, you’re getting very nice styling with a material that keeps feet comfy. The fit is a touch small, though, and there are some excellent options out there.
Verdict
Nice styling, comfy and breathable – great on and off the bike
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Pongo Grey Breton Stripe
Size tested: Large / Extra Large
Tell us what the product is for
From Pongo: “The Breton stripe, the nautical-inspired blue and white stripes synonymous with French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier, holds the cachet of being considered a perennial wardrobe staple. Over the years unique and colourful twists on the stripe have come to the market to create unique visual identities.
“We’ve taken this classic French design and modernised it the only way we know how. Blended with fine Italian yarns this sock is certainly going to become a go-to classic in your wardrobe.
“This cycling sock is made using our unique template and construction process to ensure superior quality”.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Features
Classic 6″ cuff
Technical mesh for added breathability
Anti twist + compression band
Superior needle count for quality and durability
Made in Italy
Come up a tad small.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
I washed and tumbled dried the socks with no ill-effects.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well. Comfy on the bike and off it too.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
They are very comfy and I never noticed them making my feet sweat.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
They just don’t stand out in a crowded market.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
Up with the higher end socks. There are more expensive offerings from DeFeet and Neon Velo.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? No
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Maybe
Use this box to explain your overall score
Very nice socks, but a little pricey in a crowded market.
About the tester
Age: 24 Height: 177cm Weight: 62kg
I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Di2 My best bike is:
I’ve been riding for: 5-10 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, club rides, general fitness riding, I specialise in the Cafe Ride!
1 thought on “Pongo Grey Breton Stripe”
Obvs, I don’t want to knock
Obvs, I don’t want to knock what you do. But is there not a point at which a review should just be, “They are socks- Ok Socks”. Indeed, perhaps sock reviews, in the absence of some dramatic leap forward, might be unecessary. Because, ultimately, they are, you know, socks?
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