SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING

Sizing & Fit 4.5/5

 

I am 43/44 in street and cycling footwear respectively, so went for the large, which spans 43-46 (9.5-12 in US and 9-11 for UK audiences). This paid off, fitting me perfectly length, width and height-wise. As I said in my opening paragraph, they’re a good fit across the board, but crucially with sportier road, Audax and mountain bike shoes.P aired with my Quoc Pham Tourer, there’s been sufficient room around the toe box and heel section, yet ample support to these, and the balls of my feet. No issues with the FLR Defender MTB Thermal Dry S-Tex Boot and FLR Rexton Active Touring/Trail Shoe  and I’d defaulted to these, given the season and changeable conditions.

 

Performance 3.75/5

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I’ve alternated between these and their Calf Length Classic stablemates in temperatures between zero and 14 degrees. Temperature regulation has been excellent at both ends of the spectrum, at the lower end, paired with the Defender, they’ve kept plenty of warmth, without turning clammy, even after several hours at a steady 85rpm. 

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Waterlogged roads and boggy bridle path infiltrated the Defender’s outers, leading to the strange sensation of pressure against the sock’s waterproof membrane. Something I’ve found synonymous with waterproof socks per se, and crucially, nothing snuck inside. 

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Over to the Rexton, which has a glossy upper and lashings of mesh and much the same story. Immersed beyond the ankles, my feet remained dry and temperate, even with the mercury sliding to 2 degrees, or so. 

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Green lane and bridlepath blasting saw ours submerged to the cuff line, no ingress issues and though tactile, the elastics have kept them pinned in situ. Warm and dry inside (where it arguably counts) once the outer becomes saturated, it does take three hours, or so to dry, even at room temperature and its much the same story following a machine wash.  

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Support to the heel, toe box and balls of the feet have also been reassuringly good, no hint of “hot spots” or similar painful irritation on longer rides, or indeed, when shouldering the bike and dashing through the gloop, suggesting they’d be a good bet for cyclo-cross. Their height gives ankles a sporting chance through prickly foliage and against those small, sometimes painful projectiles thrown up along gritty sections.