PROLEN® – lightweight yarn for cycling socks
A good pair of cycling socks starts with the yarn. We use PROLEN® in our Classic and Terra models for its low weight, moisture management and durability. It’s a choice that puts comfort first, from a short morning spin to a full day on the bike.
What is PROLEN®?
PROLEN® is a polypropylene multifilament yarn made in Slovakia. It’s the yarn used to knit our socks, rather than the name of a finished fabric. Its properties help us create socks that feel light, handle moisture and stand up to regular use.
We use PROLEN® in both nologo Classic and Terra. The yarn is one part of the design: the knitted construction, fit and combination of fibres also shape how each model feels on your feet.
Less moisture, more comfort
PROLEN® absorbs very little moisture into its fibres and helps transport perspiration away from the skin. These properties support drying and help manage moisture during exercise.
On the bike, comfort is about more than how your socks feel when you first put them on. There’s the climb that gets you working, the next stretch into a headwind and the kilometres still ahead. Moisture management is one of the reasons we choose PROLEN® for Classic and Terra.
Your socks work together with your shoes, so ventilation and riding conditions also influence how dry your feet feel.
Light on your feet
PROLEN® has a low density, making it a useful yarn for lightweight sportswear. It helps us keep weight down in our Classic and Terra socks.
We like cycling kit that’s easy to wear and easy to match. Socks should feel comfortable when you pull them on and fit naturally into the rest of your setup. A light yarn is a good starting point, alongside a considered fit and knitted construction.
Whether you’re choosing a pair for a quick ride before work or packing for a weekend away, that light feel is part of what we look for in our socks.
Made for regular use
PROLEN® offers abrasion resistance, an important property for socks that see repeated wear and washing. We choose it with regular riding in mind.
Most of us have a few favourite pairs that barely make it back into the drawer before the next ride. Those are the socks we want to make: useful, comfortable and easy to include in your everyday cycling kit.
Looking after them matters too. Follow the care instructions for your particular pair to help keep them in good condition.
Colour built into the yarn
PROLEN® is mass-dyed, which means colour is incorporated during yarn production. This supports colour durability through regular use and care.
Colour has always been part of the nologo story. We started with black and white, then gradually added more shades. With no visible logos or patterns, the colour itself does the work – whether you’re matching your jersey, keeping everything understated or adding a contrast to your kit.
Thermal comfort
PROLEN® has low thermal conductivity, which contributes to insulation. In a finished sock, the overall effect depends on the knitted structure, thickness and other fibres used.
Choosing socks for a ride also means thinking about your shoes, the weather and how hard you’ll be working. The yarn contributes to comfort, but the complete setup matters. That’s why we consider PROLEN® alongside the construction and intended use of each model.
Easy to care for
Because PROLEN® absorbs very little moisture, it supports quick drying after washing. That’s a practical benefit for cycling kit you wear regularly.
Always follow the care label on your Classic or Terra socks for washing temperature and drying instructions. Leave enough time for them to dry fully before putting them back on.
A simple routine makes it easier to keep your favourite pairs ready for the next ride, whether you cycle every day or save your kilometres for the weekend.
A closer look at the material
The manufacturer describes PROLEN® yarn as recyclable. A finished sock, however, contains a combination of materials, so its recycling options depend on the full composition and the facilities available locally.
You can find the composition of each nologo model in its product information. This helps you understand what you’re buying and how to look after it.
For more information about the yarn itself, visit the manufacturer’s website.
The story behind our cycling socks
nologo was founded in 2017 by two cycling enthusiasts who wanted a simpler look on the bike. We started with black and white socks, without visible logos or patterns.
More colours followed, but the idea stayed the same: clean design that’s easy to wear with your own cycling kit. Classic and Terra continue that approach, with PROLEN® as part of their construction.
We care about the details you notice when choosing your socks – the colour, the feel and the fit. Then it’s time to pull them on and go for a ride.