The Science Of Aerodynamics

Independently tested by Wattshop, U.K.

Subsequently replicated and verified by Adaptive Human Performance, Australia and Boardman Performance Centre, U.K.

Without Rule 28 Aero Socks...

Rule 28 Aero Socks Science Boundary Layer Separation

With Rule 28 Aero Socks...

Rule 28 Aero Socks Science Boundary Layer Separation

Development

Our Aero Socks have been developed alongside Brother NRG DriverPlan Pro Cycling over many months, utilising their attention to detail, qualitative and quantitive feedback to truly optimise our socks. To explain how they work, let's explain how aerodynamic drag is generated.

 

Aerodynamic Drag

Aerodynamic drag is made up of two components: pressure drag and skin friction. Pressure drag is created by the low pressure air pulling back on your leg. Skin friction is created by the action of the air flowing over your leg. The air around your lower leg typically is "laminar", this means it flows smoothly but has very little energy in the flow, so once it flows past the widest point of your leg and tries to stay attached around the back it can't resist this and separates off your leg, leaving a large amount of low pressure air behind your leg pulling you back.

 

How do our products cheat the wind?

Rule 28 Aero socks have been designed to energise the boundary layer air flow closest to your leg. By energising this air, it turns turbulent and is able to stay attached for longer, therefore reducing the size of the low pressure wake behind your leg and thus reducing your total aerodynamic drag. Our socks employ materials that provide noticeable surface roughness to energise the flow. This technique is totally immune to the size of your legs and the orientation which you position the sock. This is a more stable and consistent technique to energise the boundary layer air flow over other techniques such as trip lines.

 

Summary

Rule 28 Aero Socks employ textured material up to the UCI height limit. The textured material provides surface roughness encouraging the boundary layer to turn turbulent. This turbulent flow resists adverse pressure gradients around the leeward side of the leg, therefore reducing the low pressure zone behind the leg.

In simple terms, Rule 28 Aero Socks change the air flow around the leg to reduce the low pressure behind the leg that sucks you backwards.