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review
Socks
DeFeet Aireator Daisy Dukes socksDeFeet Daisy Dukes socks

DeFeet Aireator Daisy Dukes socks

7
by Lara Dunn
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Apr 13, 2011

0
£8.16

VERDICT:

7
10
Good value for money, high performance and cute
Weight: 
36g
Contact: 
www.i-ride.co.uk
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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The Aireator is a 100% synthetic cycling sock designed to give maximum airflow and maximum breathability and moisture wicking, making it best suited to warmer conditions. The fabric is thin, stretchy and extremely breathable, and the sock is constructed to be virtually seamless, giving a smooth contoured fit with no risk of rubbing. This particular sock from De Feet doesn't have any padding, keeping it sleek and low volume. Toe and heel areas are reinforced.

It's an attractive sock, with a girly motif and colourway, but De Feet do a variety of designs and colours in the same sock for those who prefer something a little less, erm, flowery. I was particularly struck with the 'Kiss Off' design and the 'Flirt'. The fit is smooth and forgiving, with some flexibility if you accidentally get the wrong size, and the ankle cuff is comfortable and snug without being constrictive.

In wear, the socks do keep your feet a stable temperature and feeling dry and non-sweaty, even when working hard for a long time. There's little of the stickiness sometimes associated with synthetic socks, due to the extremely fast drying nature of the fabric. They have less volume than the majority of socks, so can change shoe fit slightly, and the ultra smooth nature of the fabric does mean that heel slip can be a slight problem. If paired with the right shoes though, they are a barely-there effective and comfortable option.

Verdict

Good value for money, high performance and cute.

road.cc test report

Make and model: DeFeet Daisy Dukes socks

Size tested: M

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?

Cycling specific sock designed to be fast drying, extremely breathable, moisture wicking and durable.

Ticks all the boxes.

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

60% Nylon

39% CoolMax EcoMade

1% Lycra

No padding

Flat Knit Cuff

Airflow mesh weave fabric

Reinforced toe and heel areas.

Sleek stretchy fit.

Low volume.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
5/10

Very well put together, but for the seam across the top of the toes where some stitching was irregular and wore very quickly.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Really comfortable, kept feet dry and a good temperature.

Some heel slippage was a slight problem.

Rate the product for durability:
 
6/10

Apart from the above toe seam on the pair tested, these are well designed socks that should last well. The 100% synthetic fabric will probably start to smell fairly quickly though, especially as only washable cold.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

Very light. Almost imperceptible in wear.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

Extremely comfortable, both in fit and temperature management.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Good value. Would be excellent value without the seam worry.

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

Performed really well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Fit, style, breathability and comfort.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Slippage at heel in wear, concerns about toe seam quality.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

A highly breathable pair of warm weather socks at a good price.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,

Defeet
Lara Dunn

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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