Wednesday 3 June 2015

Reviewed: Gerbe Futura 40 Tights

UK Tights is one of the longest and most supportive hosiery retailers of the Hosiery For Men blog. As readers will know already, they have dedicated men's tights section of their website and provide a first class global service to men who buy tights for themselves.



They gave us a very strong recommendation for the tights we are now reviewing: the Gerbe Futura 40 Tights.

Gerbe are one of the most prestigious manufacturers of tights and hosiery in France, and have been in business since 1904. Their products are superbly made with attention given to every detail.



Many readers will also know that Gerbe used to make a range of men's tights tights that has sadly now been discontinued.



Material and features
The Gerbe Futura 40 Tights are described as follows:

Opaque satiny tights, 40 denier appearance. Run-resistent, they feature a harmoniously shaped silhouette and tone the legs thanks to their optimum progressive tightening. Their rich palette of deep colours makes them the must-have accessory of any wardrobe.

The Futura 40 Tights are smartly packaged. The tights are folded around a long rectangular card, which is then enclosed in an open-sided card sleeve. Everything is then housed in a cellophane sleeve.





The tights are made in France and are 84% Polyamide, 15% Elastane and 1% Silk.

They look really impressive when removed from the packaging. The fabric is smooth and robust, and the tights are boarded so that the legs and feet are anatomically shaped.

The tights have a series of features that indicates pure quality:

  • The yarn has a wonderful, silky feel. But it also seems extremely strong and hard-wearing. Opaque coverage is absolutely even and uniform. In appearance these look more like 50-60 denier tights.
  • Heels and toes are reinforced.
  • The waistband is 5cm wide, flat and seamless. The waistband also has the size and brand printed on the inside
  • Seams throughout are flat and expertly engineered
  • There is a silk gusset, and in sizes 4-6 a back panel.


A further key feature of the tights is the graduated compression on the legs: tighter on the foot and calf and lighter on the thighs. This provides an perfect fit as well as giving additional comfort and a toning sensation to the legs.






Sizing and fit
The Gerbe Futura 40 Tights are available in five sizes at UK Tights:

  • 2 Medium
  • 3 Large
  • 4 X Large
  • 5 XX Large
  • 6 XXX Large


I tested the 6 XXXL size.

These tights need to be put on carefully because of the graduated compression in the foot and lower leg. They need to be rolled up on the thighs slowly to ensure even coverage.

Once on they feel quite amazing, almost like therapy for the legs.

The high level of Elastane ensures that they cling and hug every part of your legs with no wrinkling at all.

The brief/panty is superb - deep and comfortable, with no discomfort at all in the male crotch area. Indeed everything is comfortably supported.

The waist can be stretched comfortably to whatever position needed. For me, they are pretty much a high waist style. The waistband is wide and also amazingly comfortable.

Everything stays in place and the tights needed no adjustment during the day.

Colour range
The Gerbe Futura 40 Tights are available from UK Tights in a range of colours:
  • Noir
  • Chocolat 
  • Purple
  • Blue Nuit
  • Bruyere
  • Topaze
  • Cedre
  • Rubis
  • Paprika
  • Rose Indien
  • Absinthe


I tested the Bleu Nuit shade, a rich, dark blue.

Price and availability
The Gerbe Futura 40 Tights are priced at £25.99 at UK Tights.

Conclusion
The Gerbe Futura 40 Tights are first Gerbe style I have trialed since the range of men's tights was discontinued. Fortunately I have still have (very carefully looked after) pairs of the Gerbe men's Satin 20 and Opaque 70 tights.

The Futura 40 are a revelation. The fit and feeling when worn give the impression that a pair of tights has been crafted specifically for you. I know that may not be everyone's experience, as we are all different shapes and sizes. But for me the size 6 was a completely perfect fit in every respect.

They feel so good once you have them on that I guarantee that you won't want to take them off.

The price may be high for some but listen: once you see the effort that has gone into designing and making these tights and the range of excellent features they have, you may not see them as expensive, but rather a wise investment.

Check the reviews on UK Tights for further confirmation. Every single review, apart from two, has awarded 5* (and the two that didn't are 4*). Here are some of the comments:

Fantastic! At 40 denier they feel much more durable than the Wolford 50 denier I had been wearing previously. I also prefer the slightly more matte finish and both the foot and waistband are better made, plus a wider range of colours. As long as you have these in stock I'll keep buying them!


Best tights ever for me, comfort, huge size range true to measurements, smooth n silky, durable indeed, - even more colours please


Great fit true to size of a very high quality product. Certainly enhances the legs and ideal for cooler weather. Recommended for evening and special occasions and looked after have the potential to be long lasting making excellent value.


These tights are very highly recommended.

4 comments:

  1. Brilliant review!

    My mum always brought me up to believe that 'you get what you pay for' and these are definitely an investment, luxurious fabric, ladder resistant and the health benefits.

    Really good range of sizes for the men too!

    Kay ¦ Tights and Ladders

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  2. Do you feel size 6 has the same leg length as Wolford XL?

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  3. The leg length in the Gerbe is good, and there is plenty of stretch. However Wolford and Falke XL sizes are generally longer.

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  4. Gerbe always comes with it; tights have to feel as good as they look for me, so I definitely need to purchase some of these! Great review!

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