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dexshell ultralight waterproof socks

life (and by life, i, of course, mean cycling) is full of transitional periods, the majority engendered by seasonal climatic conditions. it cannot have escaped your attention that the majority of garment providers feature both spring/summer and autumn/winter ranges, partly to entice us away from our money, but also because those two transitional periods do tend to necessitate differing velocpideinal garb.

of course such periods of transition need not solely concern garmentage; a rather obvious seguay from one aspect of the sporting season is none too far away. i, of course, refer to the upcoming glorious months of cyclocross, the mindset for which becomes legally enforceable immediately after peter sagan has won the rainbow bands once again. though the modern day competitive cyclocrosser has adopted the ubiquitous skinsuit, those of us for whom mud and hurdles are more a curated state of mind, can effectively wear whatever it is we like, particularly if inclined to stop for coffee when splattered in the gloopy stuff.

supping froth in a onesy is never going to be a good look.

however, one specific item that finds regular favour on the road when precipitation reigns (see what i did there?), is the humble overshoe, the very item designed to (mostly) keep those oh, so expensive shiny shoes, not only free from gloop and gravel, but a preferred level of dessication for your little tootsies. my own favoured pair of overshoes feature a rather cosy, fleecy lining, occasionally just a tad too warm for either of the outer edges of the above mentioned transitional periods. but, while long-sleeve jerseys and bib-threequarters are all very well and sartorially appropriate for the cyclocross meme, a pair of thermal/waterproof overshoes are just an embarrassment.

that, however, may be the least of our worries: done right, cyclocross entails a fair measure of leaping on and off the bicycle, to say nothing of jumping over hurdles. all of which plays havoc with any pair of overshoes. and even over the length of a relatively short 'cross season, that's not great news for a fragile bank balance. which is precisely where a more than welcome pair of dexshell, lightweight, waterproof socks enters the fray.

a couple of years ago, i had the welcome task of reviewing a pair of the same company's bright orange waterproof gloves, items that i still retain in my winter armoury for both their thermal and weatherproofing qualities. thus, when 'cross beckons for a total incompetent to indulge in solo exploration of the undergrowth, i'll smugly don a pair of fluorescent yellow-edged dexshell waterproof socks and attempt to carry off my less than convincing sven nys impersonation. but while #crossis(still)coming, there is the road world championships to consider, training for which continues unabated.

en-route to innsbruck (a guy can dream, can't he?), this coming midweek shows particularly strong winds accompanied by more than a few millimetres of rain. though such winds seem confined to the wee small hours, their effect is likely to impinge upon any ensuing daytime velocipedinal activity. in other words, road splash, accompanied by an ambient temperature that might mitigate against my wearing the previously mentioned fleecy overshoes.

the ideal moment for those dexshell socks, methinks.

there is, however, a potential downside, one that pertains more to fluid dynamics than any failing on the part of dexshell. i have worn the lightweight socks in heavy drizzle and more pertinent precipitation with particularly excellent results, but every now and again, it becomes entirely necessary to ride in persistent, heavy rain and therein lies the problem. no matter whether you ride in boot-like footwear 'neath waterproof overshoes and over a pair of yellow tinged waterproof socks, as sure as eggs is eggs, gravity will drag that rain down each sculpted calf muscle, whereupon it will infiltrate your dexshells. (i feel we know each other well enough to accommodate such brash language.)

and, of course, being thoroughly waterproof, the dexshells simply don't let the water back out until you remove them in the safety of your own kitchen floor. just ask mrs washingmachinepost.

but they are utterly essential.

dexshell ultralite waterproof cycling socks

sunday 15 september 2018

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