Has anyone tried waterproof socks?

[Mercury]

I am thinking of taking a pair of waterproof socks with me - SealSkinz Ultra Light Sock. 100% waterproof, breathable and windproof Porelle® membrane

My training shoes are not waterproof and I thought waterproof socks might be a good idea if there is heavy rain.

Does anyone have any experience of these?

 

[sillydoll]

SealSkinz

They are truly waterproof!
Turn them inside out and hold them under a tap and you will have a water balloon!

 

[marktqm]

Your socks (and the feet inside them) may be waterproof but if the moisture finds its way inside your shoe it is bound to stink some time later.

Mark

 

[pjdine]

This is a very belated reply to Mercury's query - because I used Porelle Drys waterproof socks on the Camino a couple of weeks ago (yes, yes, I got them in a charity shop - 3 pairs, my size, 50p a pair). I did about 25km on a wet day in them and they were very comfortable, with no chafing or obvious sweating - but I did wear liner socks.

Pip

 

[John Hussey]

I am thinking of taking a pair of waterproof socks with me - SealSkinz Ultra Light Sock. 100% waterproof, breathable and windproof Porelle® membrane

My training shoes are not waterproof and I thought waterproof socks might be a good idea if there is heavy rain.

Does anyone have any experience of these?

I have used SealSkinz and they are waterproof, as well as being quite warm. I wore them with sandals quite successfully. But they begin to smell after a couple of days wearing them and must be washed periodically to rid them of the funky odor. They must NEVER, NEVER be wrung out after washing as the trapped air inside will balloon out ...like a balloon...and will rupture at the weakest place, like at a taped seam. Then, you no longer have a waterproof sock for that foot as the water can now enter at that rupture. The SealSkinz have a white fabric inside that is quite comfortable and they can be worn even without socks and remain quite warm in cold weather, which is the secondary reason for my choosing them. However, I used liners so as attempt to keep down the funky odor. Once wet, as after your washing them, they are quite difficult to dry and you will find yourself putting them on in the mornings while wet even.

They do work, but have some drawbacks for long-distance hikes where one encounters day after day of steady rain. But for intermittent rain, would be great

I have purchased another sock-product of either Gore-Tex or a Gore-Tex like material but have not used it yet. It is thinner and I am sure must smell just as bad after a few days using it but I am hoping it will dry faster after I rinse it out. If you wish, I'll look it up & post a link to the product