If you want the lightest weight cycling sock on the market, step this way. The new DeFeet EVO comes in well under 40g for the pair, shaving around 30% or more off the weight of their Air-E-Ators. But there’s more to them than just saving weight. The socks were developed for the Quickstep pro cycling team, who wanted something slick, breathable and comfortable for long days of racing. Here’s how DeFeet delivered…
The EVO line will come in three versions: The Mont Ventoux (shown above), the Carbon, and the Classic (both shown further down). The Ventoux gets the most extensive texture, essentially removing some material in strategic patterns to create thinner windows. This allows sweat vapor to exit more quickly.
The other big difference is the use of an extruded filament polyester thread rather than a ring-spun yarn. That makes it slicker and smoother feeling, but also helps save weight. Add in a bit more Lycra than their others for increased compression, too, and you have an all-day sock for hot temps or moist conditions.
You can hear DeFeet founder Shane Cooper explain them himself in this video, which is part of the Bikerumor Friday Yard Sale #022, where they introduced the new sock to us amidst massive flooding and epic gravel riding.
The DeFeet EVO Mont Ventoux will come in four colors (blue, plus hi-vis pink, yellow and orange) and retail for $19.99.
The EVO Carbon will only come in black and uses a spiraling knit pattern with carbon fiber thread used. The claimed benefits are lighter weight and inherent anti-stink properties. And they’ll have more compression than the others. Perhaps most importantly, though, you can match up the look of your carbon bike and wheels with your socks. And tell your friends that even your socks are carbon. And they’re a couple grams lighter. Because #incrementalgains. Retail will be $24.99.
The Evo Classic brings back a traditional ribbed sock look, but with the same modern materials, price and light weight as the Evo Mont Ventoux. Three colors include white, hi-vis yellow, and (finally) a standard black. Look around DeFeet’s rainbow of options and you won’t really find a standard black cycling sock…now they have one!
All three versions have a 6″ cuff height and will come in S/M/L/XL sizes. Available in June 2018.
