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review

dhb Aeron Lab Sock

7
£15.00

VERDICT:

7
10
Very comfortable socks but they're at the upper end of the price spectrum
Weight: 
33g

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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The difference between good socks and good cycling-specific socks is quite marked, and dhb's new Aeron Lab socks are very good indeed. They're very soft, offer plenty of comfort and a little bit of compressive support, but they are a bit pricey.

  • Pros: Very breathable, high levels of comfort
  • Cons: A few threads poking out here and there, at the upper end of the price point

Lab is dhb's new top-end range focusing on technical fabrics for performance, lightness and comfort, with these socks using Meryl Hydrogen yarns. According to Nylstar, the manufacturer, it is, 'A premium microfiber that possesses superb volume and irresistible peach touch while hydrating your skin.'

It does feel great against the skin, really plush, and creates an excellent layer between your foot and the stiff carbon soles of race shoes. The fabric itself is thicker than quite a few summer socks I've worn, but it doesn't feel it when the socks are on.

The main part of the sock exposed to the elements uses a diagonal mesh knit which allows plenty of breathability as the wind blows past. You get the same knit on the top of the foot, beneath where the tongue of your shoe will sit and above the toes to allow airflow here too.

The top of the 13cm cuff uses a more supportive, compressive knit which keeps them in place without any slippage. You get the same around the mid foot for a bit of support.

dhb Aeron Lab Socks - ankles.jpg

To reduce wear and tear, the area under the toes and the heel are reinforced.

Quality-wise the Labs aren't too bad, although there are some thread ends poking out here and there which looks a little bit untidy.

Sizing covers UK 2.5 through to 12, and there are seven different colourways including black and various hues with a couple of fluoro options in there for a bit of brightness.

> How to keep your feet warm while cycling in winter

If you aren't entitled to any of Wiggle's gold or platinum discounts then they will set you back £15, which isn't the most expensive we've tested on road.cc, but there is a lot of cheaper competition. Primal's Apparel Basalt socks are just £8 and they scored pretty well too.

The Saikel Chevrons scored even better and they'll set you back a tenner.

Even Assos manage to undercut these with its EquipeSock_evo7 at £14, who'd have thought it?

On the whole I really liked wearing the Labs as they are impressively comfortable, which is the most important thing, after all.

Are they worth the money? Well, just, I reckon; if you can get them with a discount, which is probably most of the time, then they are worth the investment, especially if you have other Lab kit to match.

Verdict

Very comfortable socks but they're at the upper end of the price spectrum

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: dhb Aeron Lab Sock

Size tested: 9.5

Tell us what the product is for

dhb says, "The superlight mesh knit construction on the cuff and foot of the Lab socks provide cooling and airflow, and a support band at the mid foot and top of cuff provide excellent support and comfort.

"The Aeron Lab sock uses a revolutionary new high performance microfiber yarn from Meryl called Hydrogen (step-up from meryl Skinlife in terms of comfort/performance). Meryl Hydrogen is extremely light, soft, comfortable, breathable, and offers very high levels of moisture management. It also inhibits the build-up of static. "

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

From dhb:

Long high performance summer sock

Meryl Hydrogen yarns for extreme comfort and performance

Highly breathable mesh cuff and top foot panels

Support band at mid foot and top of cuff

13cm cuff length

Reinforced heel and toe

Information

75% Polyamide(Nylon), 25% Elastane(Spandex)

Product Data

Fleece Lined: Yes

Road: Yes

MTB: Yes

Walking: Yes

Hiking: Yes

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
9/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
9/10

The 9.5-12 sized socks here fit my size 10 feet no problems.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Many are cheaper, but for the quality and comfort of the material these are, arguably, worth the money.

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

Cool machine washing has caused no issues with keeping them clean or shrinkage.

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

As a pair of warm weather socks they are very good thanks to their breathable.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Soft, compressive material.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Stray thread ends.

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

The last six pairs of socks we've tested on road.cc are cheaper, with many closer to £10. Others are around the same price, and a few are more expensive.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, though I'd wait for a discount.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

The material feels great against the skin and they are definitely a lovely pair of socks, but they are quite pricey, and more attention to the finish would be nice.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 40  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

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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1 comments

Avatar
Chris Hayes | 5 years ago
0 likes

Pity the journalist that has to write 500 words on a pair of socks.  But seriously, GBP 15 for a pair of 'cycling' socks from a mid-to-low tier brand.  These are Falke prices. 

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