Sealskinz Socks

[SuikerBossie]

I was looking for waterproof socks and came across the Sealskinz product availabe in South Africa available from this crowd: http://www.everyshop.co.za/

 

Question:

 

1. what do you do to keep your feet dry - I got soaked this morning and vowed to do something.

2. have you used this product and if so wo what are your thoughts ?

3. which is better - booties or waterproof socks ?

4. what other brands make of waterproof sock are out there - these Sealskinz go for R350 which is a bit EINA !

[SuikerBossie]

1. Help
   

[Tieffels]

Did the Freedom Challenge last year. Everybody recommend SS socks but due to the high cost I made other planne that I thought would see me through..

 

LUCKY for me, in Rhodes one of the Ride2Rhodes guys gave me his brand new unused set of socks and gloves. I could not believe how well they worked. Walking through frozen marches outside Maltino before sunrise, no problem. The gloves where also MUCH better than my supposed alpine ski gloves..

 

Problem is they are quite thick, I rode 1 to 2 sizes shoes to big as I had neoprene inner socks to accommodate as well (my other plan), so they fitted OK. You might find that you have to go for booties as your shoes are too tight with the socks..

 

But you cannot go wrong with the socks, cannot fault them.. They gloves are also excellent but I imagine there are other options out there as well..

[Gerhardc]

Jip, also wanted to say that.....I you read the tweets from the top riders at the Freedom Challenge and their gear, they all ride with SealSkinz!! Nuff said!

[Cheese]

Do not know name but saw Nic White do a test with his cellphone in a sock and dipping the sock in a bucket of water for 10 or so seconds. Took it out and phone was dry, so maybe go to cyclelab and see if they have something else, do not know if it was same sealskinz

[ibruegge]

would love to help - but at my current level of cycling a pair of sock is not going to make much of a difference in my case... :-(

[Da Vinci]

Mine are on their way to me - i seem to have permanent icy feet and booties don't work so well if u are a mtber and have 2 hike a bike. Bought mine on recommendation from friends who also mtb. I justified the cost by firguring i woud pay 180 to 200 for a pair of booties (if not more) and the inconvenience factor - should i loose one or damage it having to walk. Will let you know how they work.

[SuikerBossie]

thanks guys - I'll check out the LBS before I decide - but waterproof socks seems the best option - I just hate cold wet feet :-(

[Nancy Drew]

I used Sealskinz at last years TransBaviaans. They kept my feet warm and dry until we got to a river crossing where there water level was higher than the top of the sock. Needless to say, I squished my way all the way to the next checkpoint.

 

The only downside for me (as others have mentioned) is their thickness, so your shoe does feel a bit tighter.

 

I'd definitely use them again though.

[flymango]

Anybody got an opinion on the "tightness' of these socks and its affect?

[Shebeen]

I was looking for waterproof socks and came across the Sealskinz product availabe in South Africa available from this crowd: http://www.everyshop.co.za/

 

Question:

 

1. what do you do to keep your feet dry - I got soaked this morning and vowed to do something.

2. have you used this product and if so wo what are your thoughts ?

3. which is better - booties or waterproof socks ?

4. what other brands make of waterproof sock are out there - these Sealskinz go for R350 which is a bit EINA !

holy cow, how are sealskinz fitting into their product range?!

got a pair of socks, hardly use them...but when i do, they rock.

 

there's an issue with keeping water from dripping into them, but like a wetsuit the water gets warmer. problem is your feet will be like prunes at the end of the ride - have seen some guys tape them up at the top. If it's really dewey grass, i'd try putting leg warmers over them, not under to help a bit.

[T-Bag68]

I have my sealskins and there great, worn them when needed, other than that I save them, at R350 a pop it's not cheap, so take good care,

 

They have a nice soft sock feel around the foot, a plastic membrain, then the outer layer of sock, they come in different lengths and thickness... mine are medium thickness and feel very comfortable in my shoes that are one size bigger than I need.... money well spent, there has been plenty times this winter that my brother is crying from frozen feet....

[MtbBarbie]

Will these help with cold feet/poor circulation?

[flymango]

Will these help with cold feet/poor circulation?

 

It's the circulation I'm worried about if the sock makes the fit too snug.

[Da Vinci]

Ok - rode Bastille in them and as it was so wet my feet went under water a few times. The socks worked really well to stop my feet squishing in my shoes. My feet were by no means warm but they were also not icycles either - they definately helped diminish the discomfort factor. I don't find mine tight at all and my shoes fit just as well with the sealskins or the thinner mtb socks. I also bought a pair of the liner socks which are lekker warm but 2 thick 2 wear both pairs together 4 cycling. As for poor circulation - they are not tight as in compression garments and they do act as a sort of insulator trapping what warmth is there - rather than a thermal warmer (at least in my case). Think im just cursed with ice blocks for feet. Next step Snow Socks!

[flymango]

Ok - rode Bastille in them and as it was so wet my feet went under water a few times. The socks worked really well to stop my feet squishing in my shoes. My feet were by no means warm but they were also not icycles either - they definately helped diminish the discomfort factor. I don't find mine tight at all and my shoes fit just as well with the sealskins or the thinner mtb socks. I also bought a pair of the liner socks which are lekker warm but 2 thick 2 wear both pairs together 4 cycling. As for poor circulation - they are not tight as in compression garments and they do act as a sort of insulator trapping what warmth is there - rather than a thermal warmer (at least in my case). Think im just cursed with ice blocks for feet. Next step Snow Socks!

 

Thanks. Are these different socks you wore at Bastille compared to the liner socks? My understanding is the sock is always a triple layer?