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review

FLR Elite 3.5 Short Lightweight socks

8
£4.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Simple lightweight socks for the warmer months at a bargain price
Weight: 
32g

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 FLR Elite 3.5in Short Lightweight Socks are just that – ideal socks for the warmer months as they are comfortable and breathable, and against much of the opposition they are a very good price.

  • Pros: Cheap, soft against the skin
  • Cons: Cuff is a little tight at first

Like almost everything in life, sock length in road cycling is dictated by fashion and with the current trend being for most of your calf to be covered, the FLR Elites are surprisingly short (you can get 5.5in ones for a couple of quid more). But for me – having short legs – that is absolutely fine.

> Find your nearest dealer here

They are made from a mix of 70% nylon and 30% elastane, which gives a secure and snug fit, especially around the cuff. At first I found after four or five hours the cuff could start to dig into my skin a little, but after a couple of weeks of riding and washing that did seem to ease.

There is one seam that travels across the top of your toes but it is minimal and I never felt it rub or even to be noticeable when worn. The socks, because of that snug fit, don't move around at all so there is less chance of irritation.

On the top of the feet the material is thinner to create a mesh that seems to coincide with the vents on most shoes, so when wearing them in the summer you should get a pleasant cool breeze across your feet to help keep them sweat-free.

FLR_Socks_1.jpg

I know this because apart from a few warm days in the upper teens, the test period has taken place with the temperature not even nudging double digits and my feet have been chuffing cold.

For such a thin material it has proved impressively durable, with no wear or bobbling around the heel and no damage from toenails.

They are available in three sizes, covering European sizes 35 through to 47, and in white as well as black.

Price-wise, at £4.99 the FLRs look an absolute steal considering most of the socks we get sent in for testing are double, if not treble that.

> Find more road.cc reviews of cycling socks here

Lusso is renowned for its quality versus value pricing structure but the FLRs are half the price of its £9.99 SoftAir socks, though they are a bit taller so there is a little more material involved.

When it comes to breathability the FLRs are very similar to the dhb Aeron Lab socks, but while those are very good they are three times the price.

Overall, the FLRs are very good cycling socks made from a comfortable fabric, with a lightweight breathable design, at a great price.

Verdict

Simple lightweight socks for the warmer months at a bargain price

road.cc test report

Make and model: FLR Elite 3.5

Size tested: Large

Tell us what the product is for

FLR says, "Our Elite socks are ideal for athletes who demand enhanced performance from their apparel all day. The ingenious blend of core-spun nylon and elastane fiber keeps active feet dry, comfortable and cool."

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

From FLR:

Short 3.5"

Comfortable and cool

70% Nylon

30% Elastane

Sizes 35 to 47

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

I was spot on in the middle of the large size and the fit was comfortable.

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

Cheap compared with the majority we've tested, and for their quality, durability and performance.

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

No issues at all with constant washing and drying over the test period.

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

Very breathable socks for the summer months.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The price.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

To start with an overly tight cuff.

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

Great cycling socks at a cracking price.

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

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

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