However, I have been impressed by the overall support that the Mont Ventoux supplies – far more than that relatively thin construction would suggest. The special grid pattern isn't used entirely throughout and around the mid-foot point there's a more tightly-woven band that offers a spot of compression and feels reassuringly snug around the arches. Chain reaction Cycles and CRC are trading names of Wiggle Ltd (In Administration) registered in the United Kingdom at 1000 Lakeside, Suite 310, Third Floor N E Wing, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 3EN, However, there is one possibly significant difference: the Founds come in just one colourway – purple and pink – while the DeFeets can be had in six different hues. Orro is a brand more known for its bikes, but over the years it's added a steadily-expanding range of clothing under its own label. Orro doesn't reveal who makes the Sportives but they are made in Italy from all-synthetic fabric: polyamide (which is nylon, essentially) mixed with 15% elastane. There's a stretchy waffle-knit down the shins and a plain-knit at the calf. They have a one-piece construction with the only additions being the dark grey heel and toe pieces and a rectangle of faux-flannel stitched under the ball of the foot. Hold on to your cycling cap, because we’re about to say the “S” word… Sheep. While we goats don’t like to give our woolly rivals too much credit, there is one thing we’ll admit: they’re on to something with this Merino wool stuff…

The orange ones on test matched my new orange gilet nicely, and I was happy not to worry about a big logo not matching the rest of my kit. I didn't find the orange particularly 'vivid', though – it would've been cool if they were a bit brighter.

GripGrab Classic Low Cut Socks

In practice, it definitely works. While other parts of my anatomy have been growing decidedly moist on recent rides – I apologise for the mental image – the old plates have been kept wonderfully dry and free from heat build-up.

In our testing, we were also impressed by the overall support that the Mont Ventoux supplies – far more than that relatively thin construction would suggest. The special grid pattern isn't used entirely throughout and around the mid-foot point there's a more tightly-woven band that offers a spot of compression and feels reassuringly snug around the arches.

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