Gear

Rockys put my faith back in waterproof socks. 

I had a pair of Porelle Drys years ago and they were crap, unless you want to grow feet like a Japanese Geisha.

Then I discovered Rockys via a canoeing mate.  The sizes can be a bit hit and miss.  I am a UK size 9, but Rocky size 8.5  (US 10) fit me better.

I used to sell Seal Skins, most people where happy with them. I find they are best when used with a thin liner sock and bought as tight as you are comfy with, if you usually take a 9 and you buy a size 9 seal skin you may find them baggy. If it is raining and you do not seal the top (e.g. over trousers overlap) rain water will run down your leg and fill them. If you are riding and it is raining a lot you may be better off with an over shoe and some thick socks, I find that combo much warmer than a seal skin full of water.

Porelle drys of old are nothing like a seal skin in fit or feel.

Would advise trying them on before you buy.

Sorry to bump an old threat, but none of these retailers seem to sell them anymore, and I'm having some real difficulty finding any European source of Gore-tex socks by Rocky or anyone else of quality. All I'm seeing is Sealskinz, and their reviews mention too many leaks for my liking.

Anyone know where the rocky goretex socks can be purchased in Europe?

I think if I am to hike in them for any long period of time (in my scenario my goretex boots get when on the inside by accident, and in the cold would take too long to dry out, so I put on dry wool socks, and on top of them a goretex sock), then they need to be well fitted and comfortable enough. Those army issue liners look like they would quickly cause blistering.

I initially planned to just carry around spare shoes with me in case my primary pair got wet on the inside due to submerssion, etc., but I think goretex socks are a much lighter alternative for doing the same.

Not the rocky goretex ones, but try looking at cycle shops for some options?

For instance Gore's cycling range has these two in it: 1, 2. The second is windstopper so I guess will in principle leak a little, but I'm not actually totally sure how crucial that is as opposed to stopping wind chill etc.

But there's also stuff like this or this. I scragged a pair of the latter things from a sale and interesting - very light indeed and stretchy so they won't mess with fit. Whether they do enough in terms of extra warmth not sure. Yet to try in anger, but no a priori reason they might not.

Wouldn't set off wearing them, but then don't normally do that.

The first ones you linked to, the GT socks, look interesting to me. Do you think they would withstand submersion? Or the equivalent of submersion if my boots are wet from the inside and I have to walk around in them anyway. This is mostly a "fall in the lake" kind of precaution.

Thanks

Well its worth noting that its entirely possible to stick your shoes into a cold stream for a bit and then keep walking even with no waterproofing involved at all. I've done that plenty and been happy.

I have once added over socks when my feet were getting a little cold (walking more slowly in a group and a little bit of snow about). They stopped that, although they did also make my shoes fit slightly tight

Dunno about them with Goretex boots and a working liner though. If the boot gets saturated inside then you'd think they should keep your socks dry(er) in them - they'll be wet to start with of course. Don't think they'd really help if worn before saturation as they're not that tight fitting as a rule.

Oh the weight comparison of these vs spare socks definetly worth double checking. Fancy it might be quite close actually.

Does make me wonder about the whole design space. Maybe its not explored - would something with a power stretch style sole/heel and a waterproof upper make most sense? Dunno. Very much a minority occupation