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review

DeFeet Cyclismo Tab Socks

8
£17.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Impressively comfortable socks for spring, summer and autumn usage that are worth the outlay
Weight: 
43g

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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Defeet has often been at the top of the sock game and these Cyclismo Tabs confirm that things are still good. Great fabrics, excellent construction and so comfortable.

  • Pros: Lovely to wear on warm or cool days, excellent fit
  • Cons: You pay for it

Made from 66% nylon, 31% recycled polyester and 3% Lycra, the Cyclismos have a very soft feel to the parts of the foot that are inside the shoe and a more robust, compressive setup for the cuff to keep everything in place.

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As a layer between shoe and skin they can't be faulted, plus you get extra padding under the ball of the foot for comfort. Breathability is great too.

Overall construction can't be faulted either, and with a reinforced toe box and heel, durability isn't likely to be an issue.

DeFeet Cyclismo Defeet Tab Socks - ankles.jpg

At £17.99 they are some of the pricier socks we've tested, with the likes of Endura and Kalf offering very good socks for less money.

You are totally paying for what you're getting here, though, and as a previous owner of plenty of Defeet socks I can assure you you will get plenty of seasons out of these.

Verdict

Impressively comfortable socks for spring, summer and autumn usage that are worth the outlay

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: DeFeet Cyclismo Tab Socks

Size tested: Large

Tell us what the product is for

Defeet says, "Cushioned under the ball of the foot, creating a tighter fit in the forefoot Cushion helps dampen road vibration and eradicate any movement of the foot inside the shoe."

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

Defeet distributor i-Ride lists these features:

Designed with the pro rider in mind
Thin fit profile, ideal for wear in warm to hot conditions
Features a meta-pad underneath the ball of the foot to lessen vibration and improve pedaling mechanics
Breathable and moisture wicking, designed to dry fast inside securely fitted cycling shoes
Great for running, hiking, and on the bike.
Eco-friendly: Made from recycled water bottles in North Carolina, USA.
Machine wash cold, tumble dry low. No bleach, softeners or harsh detergents.
66% Nylon, 31% Recycled Polyester, 3% Lycra

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

Nice and roomy and matched Defeet's size guide.

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

At the top end but worth it for the quality and comfort.

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

No shrinkage issues when chucked in on a cool 30 degree machine wash and they came up clean after a wet and muddy ride.

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

Even a very stiff carbon sole couldn't cause discomfort.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Excellent comfort.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Very little to dislike.

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

Pricier than most we've tested but their performance and quality justify it.

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

The Cyclismo Tabs feel absolutely great when you put them on and stay that way no matter how long you ride. They are pricier than most but well worth the money for their quality.

Overall rating: 8/10

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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