Lusso Paragon Deep Winter Socks

The Lusso Paragon Deep Winter Socks might just be the last winter sock you ever purchase (unless you get two pairs, like me). These knee-length versions give you extra warmth for particularly cold toes, but thanks to the great breathability they’re usable in spring and autumn too. They’re also supremely comfy, made in the UK and great value.

Complementing Lusso’s existing Paragon Winter Socks are these knee-length versions – the Paragon Deep Winter Socks. In terms of material, they’re almost identical – 66 per cent merino PrimaLoft bio, 32 per cent polyamide and 2 per cent elastane.

Like all Lusso products, the Paragon Deep Winter Socks are made in Manchester, using fabric sourced from Italy. Lusso also offers free repairs for any garments bought directly within the one year warranty period.

The PrimaLoft-merino combination feels thick and very luxurious. It comprises most of the sock from footbed to shin, save for the rear section from the bottom of the ankle and up which is a lighter weight material. Presumably that section isn’t so exposed to the elements, so it can be made thinner and more breathable.

The socks come in three different sizes, including S/M (4-7, or 37-41), L/XL (8-10.5, or 42-45), and XXL (11+, or 46+). As with the shorter version, there’s only one colour, and that’s a two-tone grey and black – perhaps not the most exciting choice, but a sensible option for the grimy winter months. In any case, these are going to spend much of their time under bib tights and/or overshoes.

I’m an 11/46 shoe size, and the largest size was spot on for me. The fit is tight, with a very mild compression around the calf area, but they’re not restrictive in any way. I’ve a fairly narrow foot and don’t have the biggest calves out there (more’s the pity), but there’s a decent enough amount of stretch to accommodate chunkier (or indeed narrower) legs.

Lusso rates the Deep Winter Socks for -5 to 10C and I’d say that’s a pretty accurate temperature range. Though the winter just gone has proved to be one of the milder versions the UK has experienced in a while, at least in the South West, I was able to test these from about 2 degrees at the coldest, up to 14 degrees.

In cold weather, and with thick overshoes on, my feet were nice and toasty – helped no doubt by the longer length. Two winters ago I discovered the benefit of using knee-length motorcycle socks which massively help with chilly toes on freezing rides thanks to the improved blood flow they encourage, and it’s no different here.

Minus 5 might be stretching the capability of these socks somewhat – they’re not the bulkiest after all – but that all depends on just how hot/cold you run, and how you accompany the socks in terms of shoes/overshoes.

In terms of length, the cuff goes about 3/4 of the way up my lower legs, but if you’re shorter than a 36-inch inside leg you’ll definitely get more coverage – probably over the knees.

In warmer weather, and without overshoes, they were just about warm enough from 7 degrees and up. A lack of bulk and good breathability make them a versatile option that work just as well either side of winter.

I wear summer shoes year round, so my feet get a lot of airflow without overshoes, but you could easily make these warmer or cooler by choosing the right footwear for the conditions.

No matter the type of ride – chilled zone 2 or more tempo – my feet never got sweaty, and even when they got a bit of a soaking on a rainy day, they remained warm thanks to the merino wool, which locks in the heat.

They’re easy to wash and dry quickly. My only gripe is that the PrimaLoft-merino material is slightly on the fragile side. After one ride I managed to pull a bunch of yarns out of thread when I removed my overshoes and the Velcro got stuck on them. Perhaps that’s being a little unfair as the Velcro is very sticky, but it’s something to be aware of.

Value

The £20 asking price for these socks is spot on. Looking at other socks we’ve reviewed on the site, they’re definitely at the lower end of the overall price spectrum. Given they’re knee length – so there’s more to them – and they’re made in the UK using high quality materials sourced from Europe, I’d say they’re worth every penny. I’ll happily support UK-made brands all day long, and I even bought a second pair of these after reviewing them.

There are very few winter knee-length options out there, which is probably why I was wearing motorcycle socks before these. As such, there’s not much to compare them to.

But there are many other normal length winter socks out there. Indeed, my usual winter go-to is MAAP’s Division Merino Sock, which is a winter-weight version of their regular Division socks, which I reviewed a few years back.

The merino/polyamide blend feels similar to the Lusso Paragon Deep Winter Socks, but they’re tighter, not as comfortable, nor as warm, and they’re obviously not knee-length. They’re also £8 pricier – twice the price of the standard-length Paragon Winter Socks. On the plus side, they come in a huge range of cool colours and are much nicer to look at when they’re exposed.

Another ‘long’ option is GripGrab’s Alpine Merino High Cut Winter Socks. Again, these are much more expensive at £30, and they’re nowhere near as long.

> The cycling products I couldn’t live without (certainly during the winter)

Conclusion

A winter essential – Lusso’s Paragon Deep Winter Socks should be on your list, and indeed on your feet from autumn to spring. They’re warm, extremely comfortable, very breathable and represent great value for money. Being able to support a British brand is the icing on the cake.