MB Wear is the brainchild of former pro riders Tiziano Dall’Antonia and Marco Bandiera, and it has the largest range of cycling-specific socks I’ve seen in many years.
The newly launched brand’s range includes a mix of fabrics, designs, weights and shapes to cover everything from aero-optimised time trialling to all-weather off-roading.
The socks are made using materials including graphene-infused cotton, polyamide with silver ions and ceramic-infused yarns. Each sock is designed for its specific purpose, and MB still finds space to include some funky designs.
Pro Specialis
The Pro Specialis is MB Wear’s go-to all-rounder. Warren Rossiter / Ourmedia
The Pro Specialis sock is priced at £16.99 / €19.50 and designed as MB’s all-year round option.
The Q-Skin Polyamide fabric is claimed to offer UV-A and UV-B absorption, and abrasion resistance. Along with the internal construction and design, it’s said to help circulation by emitting FIR – beneficial electromagnetic waves that help increase blood circulation.
These are big claims for £17 socks. Personally, I just like the neon pink colourway.
Aero-optimised socks
The Aero Fast socks’ upper is made from Lycra 3.0, with the foot made from a 3D-woven Q-Skin silver ion fabric. Warren Rossiter / Ourmedia
The Aero Fast and Aero Dry socks are MB Wear’s most expensive offerings at £29.99 / €34.90. The foot of the socks mirrors the construction of the Pro socks. This seamlessly joins a Lycra 3.0 upper section that’s ribbed for aerodynamic efficiency, according to MB Wear, and extends 19cm above the ankle.
The MB Wear Aero Dry has a lightweight, breathable 19cm upper. Warren Rossiter / Ourmedia
The Aero Dry follows the same design and size, but is made from an ultra-light, highly vented material for fast rides on hot days.
MB Wear’s Aero Dry upper has an ultra-light open breathable material. Warren Rossiter / Ourmedia
Graphene-infused
MB Wear’s Smile comes in some great designs. Warren Rossiter / Ourmedia
The Pro Graphene combines Q-Skin fabric with a graphene yarn. This makes for a hard-wearing yet lightweight second-skin fit that offers more protection than the classic Pro Specialis for £19.99 / €22.
MB Wear’s Fun and Smile socks (£19.99 / €22) are made using Q-Skin’s lightweight breathable fabric that’s ideal for warmer days. With a myriad of colours and designs, these look likely to become my go-to summer option.
The Comfort sock is designed for gravel and off-road use. Warren Rossiter / Ourmedia
The Comfort sock (£16.99 / €18.90) uses a heavier-weight fabric on the sole, with a 3D-weave pattern that’s claimed to help cushion and support the plantar area and heel. MB says the Comfort is the ideal sock for off-road and gravel riding.
The Fun sock range comes in a wide range of designs. Warren Rossiter / Ourmedia
MB Wear also offers a Night sock with reflective yarns and fluro colours, a Sahara sock for the hottest conditions and the Siberia for – you guessed it – the coldest.