Want to become more aero? Fancy saving up to 8 watts with some aero socks? The new Aero Socks from Silca promise to help you make significant gains. Socks, you say? Socks, we said. When it’s all about the gains, anything is worth a try, right? I mean, if you’re into that kind of thing. Either way, socks are pretty good anyway.
Two years in development, you can get your hands on Silca’s Aero Socks for around €26. But what’s so special? Here’s what the company has to say:
The press release reads:
SILCA is proud to announce their new Aero Socks with significant gains in aerodynamics by on average 8 watts, depending on your speed. The technology has been developed by SILCA’s performance division Aeromind, which does performance consultancy for pro teams, hour records and the Olympics. Together with the pro teams, they set out to design the most comfortable, reliable aero socks in the market. After two years of development, the product is now ready for everyone who’s interested in having comfortable socks and the best aerodynamics while riding.
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Josh Poertner, CEO of SILCA, worked with a team in Italy that are quite famous for making the finest socks in the world. They also have some of the most modern knitting machinery in the world. The goal was to make a knit sock that won’t fall down. The sock has a combination of smooth and rough texture to trick the air into flowing around the lower leg more efficiently. The result is a sock that matches the aerodynamic performance of ribbed lycra cuff socks while retaining all of the features you demand from a cycling sock.
The Technology
Custom knitting machinery allows SILCA to produce a sock with a smooth frontal surface where the airflow is laminar, with the addition of 3 rows of triangular turbulators starting just ahead of the flow separation zone. These turbulators introduce small vortices in the boundary layer which energize the flow and promote flow attachment further around the leg. More attached flow means a smaller pressure wake behind the leg, less wake equals less drag, resulting in an average of an 8-watt drag reduction when compared to standard socks and equal to ribbed lycra socks of similar height.
Silca aero socks are knit from Q-Skin. A silver-ion infused polyamide which is anti-bacterial, odour resistant, and more importantly, has better softness and moisture control than any of the yarns commonly used to knit socks. Not only are these socks fast, they’re the most comfortable sock you’ve ever worn.
To check them out, head to the Silca website.
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