After we went to Japan for a pair weeks of biking, there was a mixture of using types on the docket, and we needed to put together for every thing from sunny warmth to numerous rain. CEP provided socks and (full disclosure) helped assist our journey, so we dug via their sock drawer to seek out one of the best choices for lengthy days within the saddle and combined situations.
CEP Compression is the sporting division of Medi, a German model major within the medical-grade compression socks enterprise. Which makes it sound like these items could be tight. Possibly too tight. Luckily, they turned out to be very snug, with their knee-height journey/restoration socks being a lot lighter than we anticipated, and far simpler to drag on and off than some competing manufacturers I’ve tried.
That mentioned, CEP just isn’t a “biking” sock model. Their present catalog is tailor-made for operating, strolling, climbing, or on a regular basis/workplace use. So we over-shopped to verify we had one thing that may work. My sock dice was stuffed, and over two weeks, we tried each potential choice to see what labored finest for biking. A number of stood out – right here’s what we appreciated:
CEP Mountaineering, Working & Wool socks are one of the best
Most of what we rode have been the “Mid Reduce” fashions. Our favorites have been the Mountaineering Mild Merino, Run Compression, and Ultralight Mid-Reduce socks.
The Ultralight (proven above in black, at prime of publish in white) are the closest factor they make to a pure biking sock. It’s extraordinarily light-weight, making it nice for warm climate. And the impartial white, black, grey, and navy coloration choices ought to work with most biking kits. In case you’re the kind of rider who makes use of their socks so as to add a splash of coloration to your package, look elsewhere. CEP’s palette is somewhat reserved.
The Reflective Mid-Reduce Compression socks (on proper in olive inexperienced) add two reflective stripes to reinforce visibility. They’re a general-purpose athletic sock that held up effectively, too, and was one in every of our faves.
In reality, all of their socks held up very well all through the journey, and proceed to take action. I’ve worn mine on plenty of different highway journeys, hikes, and rides, and we spent loads of time in Japan strolling round in simply our socks. They’re displaying no indicators of wear and tear, regardless of trekking throughout bridges, tatami mats, gravel, and extra.
All of their socks have in depth zonal knitting, including compression right here, padding there, and customarily being very effectively thought out for the meant use. For biking, I want the cuffs have been about one inch increased, however they by no means seemed misplaced…and I’m kinda tall, in order that’s simply my private desire. Steve appreciated them simply effective.
Due to all that zoned development, they’re left- and right-specific, which I like. All that knitting does have a tendency to select up “stuff” off the bottom simply, so test the underside of your socks earlier than sticking your ft again into your footwear should you’ve been traipsing round in them.
Most of their socks are available in “regular” sizing schemes, however their full-height journey compression socks are primarily based on ankle and calf measurement, so that you’ll must do some measuring for these. We examined their light-weight Infrared Restoration mannequin, which gave the impression of they have been going to be sizzling, however ended up being very snug on the very lengthy flight to and from Asia.
The Mountaineering Mild Merino (proven above in Low Reduce, additionally accessible in Mid Reduce) was one in every of our favorites on the bikepacking a part of our journey. It’s effectively padded on the underside, however skinny and lightweight on prime. That makes it cozy for hike-a-bikes and off-bike adventures, however with out including bulk or undesirable heat.
The merino wool additionally stayed stink-free all through consecutive days of carrying and using in them. Be aware that the fashion has modified barely since we acquired ours, however the options are the identical. Additionally observe that every one hyperlinks on this story are to the lads’s variations, however they’ve girls’s variations of every thing, too.
The Run Compression Mid-Reduce socks (on proper) are the exception to their rule when it comes to coloration. These provide all kinds of hues with hits of brightness right here and there.
For kits, we wore all Gore Put on biking kits and jackets. Surprisingly, we have been capable of finding sufficient CEP choices to match a few of Gore’s newest Spinshift and different kits. So it’s not like there’s no good colours from CEP, however most fashions are kinda restricted to muted choices. Nearly all fashions have white, although, and everyone knows white is the quickest coloration, so…
Coaching Socks and different stuff we tried
Steve tried the Allday Compression Socks, that are very very like gown socks. These truly look probably the most like a conventional biking sock from DeFeet or Swiftwick, with stable colours, minimal branding, and a really skinny, light-weight knit.
However sadly they’re not superb athletic socks primarily as a result of the cuff would sag down after a number of miles of spinning. If you would like one thing light-weight and mildly compressive for workplace work, these must be nice for that.
I attempted the Coaching Socks for 2 causes. First, they appeared like an excellent all-purpose athletic sock. However second, and extra importantly, I actually like the way in which the stripes look on them, and I appreciated the navy blue coloration. Different colours additionally accessible.
These are, certainly, very snug socks, however they’re additionally actually thick. They have been too heat for the warmth of Japan’s summer time using, and a bit thick for my biking footwear. I can see these being a go-to in winter and/or with larger-volume footwear, although.
Remaining ideas
General, CEP’s vary of socks are snug, supportive, and have sufficient selection to satisfy nearly any want in any season. There are many different fashions which might be extra specialised (heat, arch assist, and so on.) that we didn’t strive. For cyclists, the Ultralight, Mountaineering Mild Merino, and Reflective Mid Reduce socks are in all probability one of the best choices for many seasons.
I additionally wore the socks whereas strolling and climbing round Japan for an additional three weeks after the biking segments, including in a number of of Low-Reduce types. Function smart, the Mid- and Low-cut choices are related, so should you discover one you want, you’ve acquired choices. I like the sturdiness and assist, particularly on actually lengthy days on our ft. Value a glance should you’re attempting to pack gentle for a wide range of adventures.
CEPcompression.com
