Reviewed: Draper 50 Denier Herringbone Tights By from Socktights

Socktights is a hosiery brand with a difference: tights with a sock attached.



You can read our profile on Socktights and founder Shelby Mason here. Socktights is the new brand name for Bootights.

We previously reviewed the Darbys Knee-Hi Boot Socks by Socktights.

We now focus on the Draper 50 Denier Herringbone Tights.



Packaging

The Draper 50 Denier Herringbone Tights are packaged simply. The tights are folded into a simple card clasp. The packaging provides a range of product information, including:

• Advice on removal from the packaging
• Sizing information
• Wearing tips
• Detailed product information
• The tights have a rectangular cardboard insert inside, which needs to be removed.

Materials and features

The Socktights website describes the Draper 50 Denier Herringbone Tights as:

"50 Denier herringbone design with attached performance sock."

I was grateful for the advice provided to remove the cardboard insert carefully. To do this you have to fold the card lengthwise and then ease it out gently. I am glad I did this as I found that the herringbone leg part of these tights was more delicate than expected and could snag quite easily.

The Draper 50 Denier Herringbone Tights are premium tights with a control top, attached to a performance sock.

Socktights creator Shelby Mason provides more information on the Draper 50 Denier Herringbone Tights in this video:

This review will describe the three different elements of the tights: The control top (brief), the leg and the performance ankle sock.

Control top

The control top is jet black.

Seams are conventional rather than flat. There is a gusset.

The brief aims to provide tummy control.

The waistband is 4.5cm wide and is described as "super soft, non-rolling and comfortable."



Leg

The herringbone leg pattern is a classic one and starts high on the leg. The colour is a mixture of charcoal grey and black.

This section is made from 78% Nylon, 12% Spandex and 12% Polyester.

Performance ankle sock

The sock has been carefully designed with comfort and performance in mind. Key features of the design are:

• Extra cushioning in the tow and heel where it is needed most
• Moisture wicking fibres to keep feet cool and dry
• Compression arch support to hug the feet for a contoured fir
• A strategically placed mesh zone where the sock sits on the instep to provide additional breathability and ventilation

Particularly impressive is the engineering and stitching that attaches the leg to the foot. The yarns in both sections are different, but this has been expertly executed and I couldn't see any obvious weaknesses in the manufacture.





Sizing, fit and wearing experience

The Draper 50 Denier Herringbone Tights are available in four sizes:

• A
• B
• C
• D

We trialled these tights in size D.

You need to take some care putting these tights on. You tell which way round they need to be from the position of the heel. It takes a little time to get the sock into position and rolled over the foot, and then you must carefully pull and shape the tights onto the leg. Once in position, the first impression was "wow, these feel quite amazing!!"

The sock easily fitted my UK 10.5 shoe size (US 11.5; Euro 45). The sock is very comfortable and significantly more cushioned than your average sock. I wore the tights with boots and the breathability was indeed excellent. Not only that button a very cold day they were nice and warm.

The sock also helps the tights to fit snugly inside your boots with no sliding about, and no risk of tears, ladders or other damage.

The fit of herringbone leg was superb, a real second skin. The tights feel really smooth and luxurious.

The control top/brief is very stretchy and you can fit it well above the navel if required. In appearance the brief looks like a conventional 50 denier black opaque tight. The brief, although designed to "control" is actually quite light in compression. There is certainly no constriction or tightness on the lower belly.

Overall the wearing experience was very good indeed. These tights give your legs a real hug. They look pretty amazing too.

Colour range

The Draper 50 Denier Herringbone Tights are available in Jet/Heather shade.



Price and availability

The Draper 50 Denier Herringbone Tights are priced at $28.00.

They can be purchased directly from the Socktights website.

The website also allows you to search for local retailers and stockists.

Conclusion

This is our second review of a Socktights product. Our next review, of the 50 Denier Core Essential Control Top Tights, will appear soon.

The standout positives of the 50 Denier Herringbone Tights are:

• The attractive herringbone pattern, which is a good style for men.
• The comfortable sock, which is perfect for wearing with boots. There is no slipping, sliding around that you get when you normally wear tights with boots. And furthermore the tights will last longer as they are less likely to catch and get damaged by any rough edges on the inside of your boots.
• The deep, comfortable brief
• Overall functionality and performance

Recommended.