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Socks
Altura Night Vision SocksAltura Night Vision Socks

Altura Night Vision Socks

7
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Nov 30, 2011

0
£8.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Good value socks for general riding with added visibility in the winter gloom
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 
www.zyro.co.uk
How we test

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Altura Night Vision socks represent fantastic value for money when you consider they're both technical garment and visibility aid in one.

Supplied in a choice of acid house neon or a more tasteful orange (some may differ on which of those gets the 'tasteful' tag). Both feature a reflective heel strip for a bit of extra presence on dark roads and seem most effective worn with low cut road shoes and messenger knickers/Lycra three quarters. Not everyone's cuppa come the depths of December but quite nifty for spring and summer night rides. Thankfully, Coolmax yarns; stretch panels and elasticated cuffs keep your feet comfortable in all but the most extreme weather.

Slight reinforcement in the toe and heel sections aside, the Night Vision's aren't laden with achilles' tendon protectors or transverse air-flow channel systems-what you get is very much what you see. Altura have grouped these together in sizing bands and our 41-44 felt tailor made for my size nines, with just enough give to allow my slightly deformed an notoriously destructive big toe a bit of leeway without boring through the material over the last 350 miles.

Moisture management and odour control seems comparable with competitor designs, even on the turbo trainer with the thermostat turned to tropical they do a good job of wicking away sweat and keeping your tootsies temperate. Tactile elasticated cuffs can't be faulted either, keeping everything firmly in situ without so much as a hint of tell-tale branding.

November's relatively mild start permitted a fair few outings wearing 3/4 length shorts and it was surprising just how effective their warm orange was in the afternoon gloom, allowing riding companions to keep tabs on you and they are less prone to being drowned out through competing town centre illumination.

Reflective strips are welcome, notwithstanding the fact that most race, touring and trail shoes feature acres of stuff around the heels as standard.

Verdict

Good value socks for general riding with added visibility in the winter gloom

road.cc test report

Make and model: Altura Night Vision Socks

Size tested: Orange - 41-44

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?

"Technical cycling sock with hi vis design to stand out day and night".

No quibble here.

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

Highly breathable, soft touch cycling sock with anti bacterial properties

Hi vis colour to stand out in the day

Reflective trim for night visibility

Sizes Available: L, M, SColours Available: ORANGE, YELLOW

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

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

Esssentially two products in one, the Coolmax fibres keep feet fresh and comfortable in most conditions while the day-glow works a treat in low light, especially worn with 3/4lengths.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Comfortable, inexpensive and practical for everyday riding.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing given the price.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 38  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

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

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

Altura Night Vision Socks
Altura
Altura Night Vision
reflective socks
Shaun Audane

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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