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review
Socks
Giro High-rise socksGiro High-Rise socks

Giro High-rise socks

7
by Mat Brett
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Oct 23, 2012

2
£13.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Cool, breathable high-rise socks for the warmer weather
Weight: 
49g
Contact: 
www.madison.co.uk
How we test

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The Giro High-Rise socks are made from Coolmax to keep your feet feeling fresh and, as the name implies, they're longer than usual.

These socks come with a 15cm (6in) cuff section so they reach well up your calves. Now, for some people long cycling socks are a no-no. Socks have to be short – ankle length and no higher. I've got no hard and fast rules myself. I wouldn't say that cuff length makes a whole lot difference to the feel, especially if you're wearing shorts; it's largely a look thing.

The High-Rise socks are 55% Coolmax, the remainder being polyester, Lycra and elastic. The foot section, especially the top of the foot, is thin and highly breathable, the fabric doing a great job of shifting moisture away from your skin and drying out super-fast.

The cuff section is a double layer so it's not quite as airy as some but I've certainly never found these anything but very comfortable. They've always stayed in place perfectly too, the cuffs gripping well without being too tight.

These come in a variety of colours and designs so you can match them to your shoes or the rest of your kit.

Verdict

Cool, breathable high-rise socks for the warmer weather.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Giro High-rise socks

Size tested: Medium, grey

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?

Giro say:

- Show off your shaved legs and give your outfit some racer style

- Coolmax construction for superior moisture management and fit

- High-rise 6 inch cuff

- Made in Italy

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

Coolmax shifts sweat away from your skin quickly, helping to keep you cool and comfortable.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

They're going well after several weeks of use with no particular signs of wear.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

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

They work well to keep your feet cool and comfortable.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The Coolmax fabric is hard to beat.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

I'd say they should be priced at about £10.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Maybe. I would if they were priced at £10.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? As above.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 41  Height: 190cm  Weight: 75kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

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

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

 

Socks
long socks
Giro High-rise socks
Mat Brett

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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2 comments

Avatar
daviddb | 12 years ago
0 likes

But at least this sock release is nicely timed for the warmer weather....

Avatar
handlebarcam | 12 years ago
0 likes

Giro, surprisingly, do good socks. But it'll take a while before the taint of association with Lance Armstrong wears off.

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