We clocked up plenty of mileage in the Falke TK5 Invisible socks. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
Price: £13
Country of manufacture: Germany
Weight: 38g/pair
Colour: blue/grey
Material: 45 per cent polypropylene; 25 per cent merino wool; 23 per cent polyamide; 5 per cent cotton and 2 per cent elastane
Women’s version: yes
Sizes: four different sizes, for shoe sizes from 39-48 6-13; women’s 35-42 (2½-8)
Wash: 40C gentle cycle
The sun’s shining, I’ve got my trail shoes ready; now, where did I put those socks?
That’s the trouble with invisible socks – they’re hard to find.
I’m joking, of course. Invisible socks are those short-cut versions specifically made for wearing with trainers and similar shoes, and these are the German sock brand’s latest incarnation of its technical trekking range – the TK in the name denotes they’re designed for trekking and walking.
We’ve just completed a comprehensive test of trail and approach shoes, and the Falke TK5 Invisible Sock was used throughout, clocking up a good number of miles on the hills and tracks.
They’re not quite invisible in use. The length is just about right, with the front edge of the sock just above the tongue area of most of the shoes. There’s also an achilles’ extension that comes up above the elasticated ankle cuff.
The women's version of the Falke socks
The heel feels nicely secured by the Falke socks, with a well-shaped cup keeping the foot in place, and the little extension providing just a bit more protection.
The TK5 is fairly low volume which, in a sock designed for trail shoes, is a good thing, as you’re likely to want to use those shoes for general purpose wear too, so you’ll be able to keep things comfortable in your chosen shoes when wearing non-technical socks too.
The Falke socks have underfoot channels to help air flow and move moisture to the top of the foot from where it can escape more easily. There’s also a little extra cushioning at the heel and toe sections for added comfort, and the instep area also has extra layering.
The TK5 socks made for happy feet. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
The ankle cuff has just enough elastication to keep the socks in place without being too constrictive.
The socks are made from a combination of fabrics, and merino wool makes up 25 per cent of the material. This led to good resistance to odour build-up, even with repeated use in warm weather.
The Falke TK5 Invisible made for trouble-free summer walking, with the right balance between wicking, cushioning and overall comfort. We contend that outdoor gear is working at its best when you can just forget about it and get on with enjoying your outing. That was certainly the case with these invisible socks.
Comfort: 43/50
Performance: 25/30
Quality: 8/10
Value for money: 7/10
Total score: 83/100
- The Falke socks were supplied to grough by the brand.
The TK5 Invisible is on sale at Snow + Rock.
