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review

Madison RoadRace Premio Extra Long Sock

9
£9.99

VERDICT:

9
10
Comfortable and durable long-cuff socks that'll last
Weight: 
41g

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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A good pair of socks can make all the difference to your comfort on the bike. And the Madison Roadrace Premios are a very good pair of socks: they're really well made, with a compressive foot-hugging fit and a hard-wearing weave.

Made in Italy, the Roadrace Premios are available in a range of flat colours as well as this camo, and Madison-Genesis team colours. Madison says they were designed for the pro team; obviously the pro team would have to wear them anyway, whether they were any good or not. Gladly, they are.

> Find your nearest dealer here

The ribbed construction on the back and the arch gives them a snug fit, and the lighter weave on the top of the foot means they don't feel too hot when the sun comes out. The long 7.5-inch cuff will suit folks who like, well, a long cuff. If you're a short-sock-traditionalist, these ain't for you. They're not winter socks, but there's enough material here to give a bit of insulation when it's not as warm out as you'd like (ie all the time).

> Best summer cycling socks

A tenner (less if you shop around) is a fair wedge to throw at a single pair of socks, but they're on a par performance-wise with socks such as Castelli's Rosso Corsa, which are dearer still. And these Madison socks come with a limited lifetime warranty, so if they end up not going the length you should be able to get a replacement pair. Not that I've had any issues with ours: a load of washes in, and some frankly despicable riding conditions, and they still look good as new. As ever, keep them away from Velcro when you're washing them, unless you like the fluffy look.

Verdict

Comfortable and durable long-cuff socks that'll last

road.cc test report

Make and model: Madison RoadRace Premio Extra Long Sock

Size tested: XL (46-48)

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?

Madison says: "Designed for use by our Madison Genesis pro team, this sock offers everything you'd expect from a pro level road sock"

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

Madison lists these features:

Made in Italy from the finest fabrics, the RoadRace Premio sock is both supportive and comfortable

Ribbed arch and shaped heel give great support and hugs your foot

The super soft touch socks will last the test of time

Extra long 7.5 inch cuff length

Made in Italy

Limited lifetime warranty

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:
 
9/10
Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

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

All fine, no issues. Keep Velcro away from them.

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

Really well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Comfy, well made.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Not much.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

Top quality riding socks, these.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 43  Height: 189cm  Weight: 92kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing...  My best bike is: Kinesis Tripster ATR, Kinesis Aithein

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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5 comments

Avatar
Yorkshire wallet | 6 years ago
1 like

Can you imagine the horror of seeing a long sock with a 3/4 bib tights? Do 'the rules' cover 3/4 bibs?

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to Yorkshire wallet | 6 years ago
2 likes
Yorkshire wallet wrote:

Can you imagine the horror of seeing a long sock with a 3/4 bib tights? Do 'the rules' cover 3/4 bibs?

I couldn't find anything specific apart from this:

Quote:

Rule #27
Shorts and socks should be like Goldilocks.

Not too long and not too short. (Disclaimer: despite Sean Yates’ horrible choice in shorts length, he is a quintessential hard man of cycling and is deeply admired by the Velominati. Whereas Armstrong’s short and sock lengths are just plain wrong.) No socks is a no-no, as are those ankle-length ones that should only be worn by female tennis players.

However, I did find this little gem that delves into more detail:

http://www.velominati.com/2016/02/goldilocks-principle-the-golden-ratio/

Quote:

There is a disturbance in the V. I have felt it for some time, and I suspect many of you have as well. The matter has to do with the ever increasing length of bibshorts and socks, approaching the knee like two lionesses stalking their prey in the savanna.

Avatar
mike the bike | 7 years ago
1 like

 

Camouflaged ankles, how very Victorian.

Avatar
janusz0 replied to mike the bike | 7 years ago
0 likes
mike the bike wrote:

 

Camouflaged ankles, how very Victorian.

Indeed. There's no reason for a summer sock to protrude above the top of a cycling shoe. Padding under the ball of the foot and toenail resistance are the primary consideration. A greater range of sizes would also be appreciated. A size 9 foot in a 6.5 to 9 "fitting" sock, will have unwanted pressure on the toes.

Avatar
fukawitribe replied to janusz0 | 6 years ago
0 likes
janusz0 wrote:
mike the bike wrote:

 

Camouflaged ankles, how very Victorian.

Indeed. There's no reason for a summer sock to protrude above the top of a cycling shoe.

Decorum ? We are not all triathletes Sir.

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