Waterproof Socks

“Who's used them? In what conditions? Cold, snow, etc.? My boyfriend is coming hiking this weekend, but doesn't have decent boots, and was thinking about using some waterproof socks over some wool socks in some trail-running type shoes.”

“I think MDSHiker used some SealSkins with his sandals and liked them.”

“Swing by REI and see if they have a decent pair of boots in his size on the sale rack. Maybe you might find a deal.”

“I recently picked up some SealSkinz for hiking in trail runners in winter - they worked well over a polypro liner sock - I'm not sure I would put them over a wool sock but it probably would be OK. Note I also used a set of gaiters with the trail runners.”

“SealSkinz

I used them on a hike where I ended up walking in the rain for two days. I wore them with a pair of hiking sandals but they would do fine with any type of shoe.

The temp was in the lower 40's at the time and my feet never got cold or wet. I will definitely use them again in cold wet weather. I don't really see the need to wear them in warm weather. :)

The manufacturer recommends wearing a thin sock under the SealSkinz. That's what I did and it worked out fine.”

“SG - I'm going to the REI in Troy this afternoon to pick up my online order. You want me to check?”

“So a liner sock and the SealSkinz would be OK for a winter hike in the snow? Sounds good to me.

Wolfeyes, I literally don't have the time to run to REI before the weekend, plus, with all my problems getting the right boots for my feet, there's no way in heck that I"m going to buy someone else some boots.”

“Might as well, Q. Can always return stuff to REI. Thanks!”

“smiley, that is one of the options I may be using this wknd. I will take my sealskinz and try them for part if not all of the hike (with liners,and gaitors). My trail runners are goretex too but the sealskinz are tall and WARM. I abhor boots and hope this provides a way for me to remain boot free for the whole year.”

“Cool, birch. I'll pass this on. He's still trying to figure out his options.”

“I vote for the liner and sealskinz. Handy to for those dewy mornings. Not that we'll have dew this weekend. He won't need the wool socks over. You may need 1/2 size bigger shoe though.”

“On second thought, where does this guy live that he doesn't need boots in MI in the winter???”

“indoors??? LOL”

“i went to their website and found the socks but not liners. can i get the liners at rei?”

“I've used them canoeing before - just a note, they won't keep your feet dry if they're submerged in water for a prolonged period of time... which usually isn't a problem for hiking.”

“He doesn't really want to be here, trust me. He applied for jobs in NC after college but ended up in MI. Its been good for him, though, since he met me and all. :)”

“yeah - almost any outfitter will have liner socks”

“o nevermind. i found them.”

“which ones are the best for rainslogged deathmarches on the AT? the waterblockers?”

“LOL @ Smiley! you GO girl!

i should get some of those SealSkins...and some for Tarpy. he has a prob. with being an idiot and hiking in sandals in Dolly Sods.
;-)

i notice there are 2 kinds at REI...which do you guys have?”

“I have the Goretex socks by Cabela's, they work well and are very durable. Mine are old and yet are still waterproof. I wear them over a liner sock and smartwool sock. They make your foot warmer, but they will stay dry compared to a boot full of water.”

“sealskinz.com does not ship to the u.s. wtf!?!”

“REI has them.”

“im countin on it.”

“The sportsmans guide has a good deal onSeal Skinz in limited sizes.”

“Never tried them as I use goretex boots. Do you use them year round? Do they make your foot clammy? Comfortable?”

“my boots are coated with gore-tex but still get water-logged”

“Coated with Gore-tex?”

“i dont know what the right word is. theyre whatever'd with goretex”

“I think you mean that they're lined with Gortex.

It's possible that you have a hole somewhere in the Gortex booty that's letting in water. Also, it's possible that the Gortex isn't breathing properly and that's sweat. Two things (that I know of) will block the pores in Gortex and keep it from breathing.

1) The Gortex is dirty and the dirt is blocking the pores from the inside. Mix up some Tech Wash like you would to hand wash a pack or something and put some of it in each boot (remove the footbed first, of course) then swish it around good and rinse them out really well. You may need to repeat several times until both the wash water and the rinse water come out clear. Then let them air-dry completely before using them.

2) The boot material is getting waterlogged and blocking the pores from the outside. Waterproof the upper with whatever kind of waterproofing is appropriate for that material. Seam seal the stiching and seams with Seam Grip if you have to.

It's also possible that it's just too much sweat for the Goretex to handle. Do you use a wicking liner sock?

Hope that helps.”

“..."and that's sweat"... was supposed to be..."and that it's sweat"...

You get the picture (I hope).”

“yea.......what i said........theyre whatevered with goretex............ ill try your suggestions. thanx”

“They've got the thingy with the doo-hicky thing. Everybody knows that.”

“it takes several slogs thru streams to get em logged, tho”

“can i get tech wash at rei?”

“It's possible they're leaking around the seam where the sole attaches to the uppers. I had a pair that did that after several years. I ran a bead of Shoe Goo (Seam Grip works also, I'm told) around the top of the sole just like caulking around a window. Worked like a charm but made them look as if they were on their last legs. As it turned out, they were. They crapped out on me a year or so later.

Also, they may be just be leaking in around the tongue. The only way to avoid that is to make sure you don't step in water that goes over the top of your foot. Or get boots that have a one-piece upper so the tongue area is sealed.

And here's a thought. Frequently when I'm crossing streams I splash water on my legs without even noticing it until enough of it has run down my leg and soaked my sock, making the inside of my boot pretty wet. I've taken to crossing more slowly and carefully to prevent this or just changing into water shoes and rolling up my pants legs and then drying off good on the other side. I know it sounds kind of obvious but it has made a difference for me.”

“Yeah, you can get Tech Wash at REI. Nikwax makes it.”

“how about i just dip it in a vat of goretex? just shmear it all around. or wait for the shoes that are made of 100 percent goretex. id like that”

“Just dip your whole self in gortex. It would certainly keep your feet dry...”