I prefer a compression socks for cycling and running and generally flock to Swiftwick Aspire 4s and Aspire 7s. That said, I really like the socks! The compression is strong and full-foot, as opposed to the Swiftwick Aspires, which are primarily ankle compression. Some may not like this, but for me it is a feature. As a result, the sock is definitely tight fitting when putting on, so if you are on the fence about compression socks and are towards the end of a size range, you may want to size up. That said, the large fit me perfectly with a US 11 men's shoe. The length of these socks is pretty much perfect for someone who likes a crew sock cut without it being ridiculously long and rising up the calf muscle. The sock does hold its shape perfectly (that is, it will slide down slightly), but this is hardly an issue, and is mostly due to the thickness of the material. Speaking of thickness, these socks are thin, and have a wonder feel. I prefer thin socks, so these are right up my alley. The Swifwick Aspires are thicker all around, but especially in the ankle (which is why they tend to hold their shape). Finally, these socks look awesome. The reflective logo on the back is a nice touch for anyone running/cycling in low light conditions. I have yet to put these socks through a longevity test, so I can't comment on pilling, design durability, shrinkage, etc., so I will update this review accordingly in time. But with all of the previous considerations, these socks are a strong recommend. [Update] After nearly a year, these socks have held up extremely well. I have a few pairs and they are part of my "rotation" of socks, so it's not like I'm wearing them every day, but there has been virtually no pilling, and the tiny amount is isolated at the sole, and the reflective logo is still all there--which I was not expecting. I figured the logo would have washed off by now.
