by Lars Hundley
Hot!
- Anatomical design
- Choose high tech fabrics or a Merino / Tencel blend
- Seamless toe design
- Options for multiple sock heights
- Targeted compression in the arch to provide arch support.
Not!
- No complaints
Cost: Elite Quarter socks $15.99 per pair, Merino 10 Quarter socks, $17.99 per pair
How obtained: review sample from company
Available: online, in stores
Website: https://feetures.com
RBR Sponsor: no
Tested: 30+ hours
I have a large number of different brands of regular socks, running socks and cycling socks in my dresser drawer, but had never tried the Feetures brand. So when they contacted RBR to tell us about their sock brand, I was curious to test two different models that they make. One is a traditional thin cycling / running sock made from a high tech fabric that they call iWick Fibers, and the other is also a thin cycling / running sock made from a Merino wool blend that is 44% Merino, 43% Tencel, and 13% nylon.
Merino 10
I am a big fan of Merino cycling socks, and regularly wear thick Merino socks from Specialized, Defeet, Swiftwick, Sockguy and even REI. All of those are primarily winter socks except for the Swiftwick, which is a mid weight that you can wear in all but the hottest weather.
The Feetures Merino 10 socks are a thin style of sock that you could easily wear in hot weather, but ones that you probably wouldn’t choose as a winter sock intended for extra warmth. They are described as an all season sock, and not as a winter sock. For me this is an advantage, because I now have a pair of high quality Merino socks for when winter is over. Merino is a natural fiber that does a good job of wicking, and also doesn’t tend to take on odors like polyester based fabrics can often do.
The Merino 10 socks were not itchy at all, and had a very good fit. They come in either gray, or a darker charcoal color. There are also options for a mid cushion sock, as well as varying sock lengths that go as high as a traditional crew sock and as low as “no show” that is a little bit lower than ankle length. The Merino socks are made in the USA, and the Elites are made in Vietnam.
Elite Quarter
The Feetures Elite quarter socks are also very thin, well designed and well-sewn, with the same anatomic design as the Merino version. I like thin socks for warm weather cycling, because they tend to keep my feet cooler and also leave plenty of room in my shoes if my feet swell during a long or very hot ride.
The Elite model comes in white and black. Similarly to the Merino 10, there are multiple lengths available, and there is also a more cushioned model if you don’t like your socks as thin as I do. The longer crew length that is very popular right now in the peloton has the biggest choice of colors and patterns.
In the crew length, these would make excellent work socks or casual socks, and would be just as suited to running as they are to cycling.
I thought that the Feetures socks are high quality, at a price point that is in line with other high performance sock brands. I’m glad that I tried Feetures, and expect to add more of them to my sock drawer over time, as my other socks wear out.
All cycling socks should be hi viz in color. Studies have shown that because of movement while pedaling it is more effective to wear hi viz socks/footwear than even a hi viz jersey. This is not to say that cyclists should stop also wearing hi viz jerseys/vests/jackets. For safety sake either use hi viz socks or plan on using ankle lights or ankle reflectors. I do not understand why a manufacturer would offer any new cycling sock other than in hi viz colors. Further I would think reviewers would take said manufacturers to task for this failure.
Agree that Hi Vis is the way to go. I don’t know of any winter weight Hi Vis socks so I wear my synthetic Hi Vis socks over a mid weight merino wool sock in the winter months.
All cycling socks should be hi viz in color!