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Socks
Galibier Ardennes socks Galibier Ardennes socks Galibier Ardennes socks Galibier Ardennes socks
2021 Galibier Ardennes socks

Galibier Ardennes socks

9
by Stu Kerton
Wed, Dec 30, 2020 15:45
4
£5.90

VERDICT:

9
10
Top end for performance, comfort and durability, yet budget level pricing
So comfortable
Well positioned venting helps keep you dry
Hardwearing
Not quite thick enough for winter on their own
Weight: 
51g
Contact: 
galibier.cc
road.cc Recommends

This product has been selected to feature in road.cc recommends. That means it's not just scored well, but we think it stands out as special. Go to road.cc recommends

How we test

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.

What the road.cc scores mean

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  • Appalling

The Ardennes Socks from Galibier are super soft and cosy enough for everything but the coldest winter ride. They come in a range of colours too.

The Ardennes are some of the most comfortable socks I have every worn. The material is really soft, and they just feel lovely when you pull them on.

I've done some long rides in them too – including 4-5 hour gravel rides with the odd bit of walking thrown in for good measure. The lack of irritating seams means that comfort is always high, and you basically don't even notice you're wearing them.

> Buy these online here

The footbed is slightly thicker than the rest of the sock, which adds comfort, and the toe and heel sections are reinforced to increase durability.

2021 Galibier Ardennes socks - blue 1.jpg

The upper section is more like a summer sock with a light knit and mesh panels for ventilation. They can be a little chilly for full-on winter use if you aren't using overshoes, but for the rest of the year – especially spring and autumn – they're great for regulating temperature.

> 24 of the best performance road cycling shoes - get faster with light, stiff shoes

The Ardennes are available in light blue, yellow, white and black. I've been using two pairs of yellow and a blue which, due to the nature of the riding at the moment, have been getting pretty dirty on most rides. They consistently come up spotless in the wash, though.

2021 Galibier Ardennes socks - yellow 2.jpg

The price of just £5.90 is also very impressive. Competition wise, the nologo Orange Cycling Socks are £10.87 and Nick wasn't exactly blown away, saying the material is not especially soft.

The La Passione Duo socks scored well in all categories, but they are over double the price of the Galibiers.

Overall

I appreciate it can be difficult to get excited about a pair of socks, but these put a smile on my face every time I slide them onto my feet. They're excellent – yet still cheaper than almost all others.

Verdict

Top end for performance, comfort and durability, yet budget level pricing

road.cc test report

Make and model: Galibier Ardennes socks

Size tested: Large

Tell us what the product is for

Galibier says, "Our Ardennes socks are the perfect mid-season sock. Slightly thicker footbed for comfort with a full summer sock uppers. Ready for as many 30 degree machine washes as you can throw at them."

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

Galibier says:

The heel and toe, areas of high wear, are constructed from a durable fabric, while the footbed uses a lightweight yarn that wicks sweat away from the skin.

Pro performance socks for road/mtb or cyclocross riding, in an long length for style and warmth.

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

They are available in four sizes and Galibier's size guide is spot on.

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

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

All three pairs have been washed countless times and are still the same size and shape they started as.

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

They just feel so natural against your skin.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Beautifully comfortable.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing really.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

The price is frankly very impressive compared to the huge amount of socks we've tested. Even against some of the best value options, the Ardennes win by a huge margin.

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 overall score

Excellently-made socks that work near year-round, offer loads of comfort and cost very little.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

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

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

Galibier Ardennes socks 2020
Galibier Ardennes socks
Galibier 2020
Galibier
Stu Kerton

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

Add new comment

4 comments

Avatar
MattieKempy | 3 years ago
1 like

Given the blurb on the Galibier website says they're a summer sock, it seems a bit harsh to mark them down for not being warm enough for winter!

We have several pairs in my household and they're fantastic. Soft, comfortable and they come up soft and comfortable after washing. Highly recommended.

Avatar
Freddy56 | 3 years ago
0 likes

Agree, have their yellow socks from the spring and still look and feel mighty after full summer and winter use.

Avatar
check12 | 3 years ago
0 likes

Galibier FIRE FEET 2 are galibier's winter socks

Avatar
Secret_squirrel | 3 years ago
0 likes

I got a pair of these as a free gift in my last order from them - assumed they were summer weight as they were so soft - must dig them out now!

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