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review
Socks
Saikel Chevrons Socks Saikel Chevrons Socks
Saikel Chevron Socks

Saikel Chevrons Socks

8
by Ashia Fenwick
UPDATED Wed, Jul 18, 2018 15:45

First Published Jul 18, 2018

0
£10.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Comfortable and colourful, they're just the job, with other designs available if these don't suit
Weight: 
30g
Contact: 
www.saikel.cc
How we test

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While not the most exciting of kit, a bad pair of socks can really put a dampener on any ride. New brand Saikel has thrown its offering into the mix in the form of these Chevrons Socks. Comfortable and colourful, there's not a lot to dislike, other than that they're a little on the pricey side.

  • Pros: Comfort, colour scheme
  • Cons: A little pricey, colour scheme

Saikel doesn't give too many details about the materials used, but they feel comfortable against the skin and are super-quick drying. They have a mesh style material covering the top of the foot for plenty of ventilation while the underside, heel and toe are slightly thicker. The cuff is thicker again and more elasticated to hold them in place around even the sweatiest of calves.

> Buy these online here

As is popular with many cycling socks these days, the Saikel Chevrons feature a compression band around the centre. It isn't especially tight but feels comfortable and supportive.

I wore a S/M which is a shoe size 4-7. I'd say they are pretty true to size, easy to get on and off and a good fit.

Now we come to the endless debate: sock length. Get this wrong and your riding mates will never let you live it down. Saikel's offerings are 18cm from the heel to the top and sit around the lower calf. For those who care deeply about these things, they are possibly a couple of centimetres shorter than current fashion dictates. If this doesn't bother you, all you need to know is that they are a decent length and stay in place well while riding.

saikel_chevron_socks_2.jpg

The packaging instructions suggest a 30-degree wash. I put these through both 30 and 40-degree cycles and they returned from both looking pleasant and smelling packet fresh.

Designed in a striking mint and red pattern, they match the Saikel Chevrons jersey and shorts which I have also been testing (shorts review to come). The pair on test were the predominantly 'mint' version but they also come with the colours reversed in a mostly red design, as well as other patterns.

> Buyer's Guide: 12 of the best summer cycling socks

Although I enjoyed riding in a totally matching kit from head to toe, I am generally a fan of white socks and can sympathise with those of you who are put off by the colourful design.

You can pay more and more for a good pair of cycling socks these days, so in terms of value, £10 makes these pretty average in price and isn't extortionate for a colourful and comfortable pair. The Altura Dry Elite Socks are in the same ball park for price and a little less 'out there' with their colour choices, but for a little less you can get the Galibier Pro Lite Socks which received a rave review from Stu. And, of course, you can get road.cc socks for £6.99 a pair…

Verdict

Comfortable and colourful, they're just the job, with other designs available if these don't suit

road.cc test report

Make and model: Saikel Chevrons Socks

Size tested: s-m

Tell us what the product is for

Saikel says, "Never underestimate the power of a good sock! Look no further than our Saikel socks to keep your feet pedalling comfortably for a whole day's riding. We've checked and they're the perfect length for showing off your sculpted calves."

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

From Saikel:

18cm from heel to top

Constructed with light compression to support the arch of your foot

Manufactured in Italy from the finest yarns

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Look and feel like a quality sock.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10

Just as expected from the size guide.

Rate the product for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

Socks are getting more and more expensive, and while £10 is more than I'd want to pay, it isn't extortionate.

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

The packaging instructions suggest a 30-degree wash. I put these through both 30 and 40-degree cycles and they returned from both looking pleasant and smelling packet fresh.

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

There is little you can really say about socks except that they fit and are comfortable, and these tick both boxes.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Just an all-round good pair of socks.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

I'd be put off by the colour scheme.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? No, but only because they wouldn't match most of my kit!

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

A quality, comfortable pair of socks, though £10 isn't cheap and the colour scheme won't be for everyone.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 21  Height: 164cm  Weight: 56kg

I usually ride: Planet X London Road  My best bike is: Bowman Palace:R

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

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, commuting, club rides, track

Saikel Chevrons Socks 2018
Saikel Chevrons Socks
Saikel 2018
saikel
Ashia Fenwick

Ashia is a Maths student at the University of Bath and has been riding and racing bikes for the past 6 years after a track taster session at her local velodrome had her hooked. Most weekends, she can be found out racing, be it track, road, criteriums, time trials, triathlons, or cyclocross.  Whilst she is fiercely competitive and loves to race, she is still on the look out for anyone hiring a "full time cafe rider" when she graduates.

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