Socks are one of those items of clothing that can easily be overlooked – but can really make or break a ride. The perfect sock will cause no bother, bunching or rubbing. In fact, the perfect sock is one you don’t notice at all. An imperfect sock, on the other hand, can make your ride a disaster.
Swanky Socks are bringing performance into the fold with their Signature Sports offering. Made from 100% merino, the Signature Sports socks are a little thicker than many technical mid-calf rise socks in the cycling market. I tested the size medium, in black and white.
On the trail
I had some initial reservations about these socks when I first pulled them on. With a size 41 foot, the medium size fit well, but the thickness of the merino sock had me wondering if they would be too bulky for my shoes, and if they would be too warm for the oppressive summer heat.
Sliding into my shoes, they certainly felt a little firmer than usual. However, on the trail it never caused any tightness or hot spots. The merino felt super soft, and the compressive nature of the sock meant there was no excessive fabric to cause rubbing.
Our Take
With an increasing social movement away from synthetic materials, Swanky Socks’ Signature Sports range offers a natural alternative: a lightweight and comfortable sock that’s available in a range of colours and designs. Despite my initial reservations about bulk and warmth, the socks remained cool and didn’t cause any issues within my snugly fitting shoes, across road, gravel and trail riding.
While they’re not the cheapest socks out there, they’re far from the most expensive, and with a multi-buy discount available on the website, they’re a great option to update your sock wardrobe or treat a loved one to some fresh feeties.
Pros:
-Range of colours
-Compressive – no bunching
-Comfortable
Cons:
-Thicker than many sports socks
-Ribbed aesthetic not for everyone
More details
RRP: $29.95
Sizes: L and M
Website: https://www.swankysocks.com
