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Socks
Altura Dry Elite Sock Altura Dry Elite Sock Altura Dry Elite Sock
Altura Dry Elite Sock

Altura Dry Elite Sock

9
by SamShaw
UPDATED Thu, Jul 28, 2016 19:47

First Published Jul 28, 2016

0
£10.99

VERDICT:

9
10
Excellent socks – a great choice for a high-ankle design, but pretty pricey
Weight: 
44g
Contact: 
www.zyro.co.uk
How we test

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There's little to fault with the Altura Dry Elite Socks – other than their £10.99 a pair price tag... which I'm afraid I am always going to struggle with. If you do make the purchase, you're not going to be let down – they are excellent socks.

The socks come in a range of three sizes, with small covering 4-6 UK, medium 7-9 and large 10-12. The large fitted really well on my size 11 feet, with the contrasting heel and sections sitting exactly where I'd want them. The same can be said for the cut around the calf; the medium-weight fabric has plenty of elasticity and there's no specific place in which it's focused, meaning that they grip across a large area rather than being held up by one ring of elastic sewn into the hem, so almost no pinching of your calf muscles.

> Find your nearest dealer here

On-bike comfort is great, too. The fabric feels thicker than expected at first, but doesn't inhibit air-flow around the feet – air coming in from shoe vents can still be felt trickling around inside the shoe. The mid/high cut means you'll have to be conscious of other socks you choose if you're wearing them in sunny weather as there could be a conflict of tan lines... if that's something you're likely to worry about.

Three colours are available: black, fluorescent yellow, and white. Oddly, there's no red to match the other colour available in Altura's Podium Elite range of clothing (read my review of the Altura Podium Elite jersey here). All have contrasting colour panels on the toe and heel, and feature a rear-facing logo around the top.

Verdict

Excellent socks – a great choice for a high-ankle design, but pretty pricey

road.cc test report

Make and model: Altura Dry Elite Sock

Size tested: Large

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?

Altura says: Performance delivered in a 3D Ergofit™, taller profile sock for superior ride comfort.

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

* Altura Dry™ technology is engineered to move excess moisture away from the skin, keeping you dry and comfortable

* Altura ErgoFit™ 3D patterning engineered for a more comfortable riding position

* Altura body mapping construction for improved air flow

* Anatomically correct foot beds for foot specific performance fit

* Dual heel and sole construction for increased comfort

* Fitted

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
9/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10

They sit nice and flat on the calf, no pinching around the collar.

Rate the product for value:
 
4/10

I can't get my head around paying that much for a pair of socks.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Very easy to care for, no colour runs or special instructions.

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

An excellent cycling sock, fairly understated too.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

A tall sock for the high-cut pro look. Very comfortable.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

It's hard to fault a pair of socks, especially when they're made this well. I would want at least another pair for the cost though.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 34  Height: 183  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride: Kinesis Racelight T (winter) Cervélo S2 (Summer)  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, general fitness riding, mountain biking

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