|
Sealskinz Ultra Light Sock First
Look
|
|
|
Price: £20.00
|
|
Weight: 80 grammes (pair
medium)
|
|
Features:
Waterproof sock with Porelle hydrophilic membrane, Coolmax
knitted inner, outer sock - elasticated nylon with rubber ,
ankle length with seamless construction and 'new stretch
technology'.
|
|
Waterproof and thinner and lighter than other SealSkinz
socks.
Hot in the hot plus your feet will dampen
eventually.
|
The Concept The new Ultra Light is the latest in the line of
SealSkinz waterproof socks. What marks it out from its socky siblings
is a lighter construction and lower weight. It's intended, say makers
Porvair, to be compatible with closer-fitting footwear like running
and approach shoes and to wick well enough to cope with hot
conditions too.
Features Produced in an ankle-length cut, the UltraLight uses
the Porelle waterproof membrane technology of other SealSkinz, but
with a lighter inner and outer sock. The inner sock uses 6% Coolmax,
23% nylon and 1% elastic to give more effective wicking in hot
weather, while seamless construction is designed to minimise raised
seams which could cause discomfort.
The outer is a tough, Nylon and Lycra fabric designed to combine
durability with decent fit and there's an elasticated cuff which
continues above the ankle-high waterproof section.
In Action We've found previous SealSkinz socks a bit on the
bulky side for closer-fitting shoes and boots as well as feeling a
bit 'cardboardy'. The new Ultra Lights are still bulkier than a
typical liner sock, but comparable to a cushioned running sock,
though the construction means that the top of the foot is as padded
as the underside. Still a definite improvement though.
We used them mainly for walking with approach shoes and for
mountain biking. Initital impressions are cautiously positive. The
CoolMax-based liner is comfortable against the skin and fit from the
stretchy fabric is reasonably close. They're pretty decent for
waterproofing - you can step in puddles and they'll save you from
splashes on the bike.
They're not magical though and prolonged rain usually means that
water will get in either over the top of the sock - waterproof over
trousers and gaiters might stop this - or through condnesation, once
the outer of the sock gets damp enough to reduce the humidity
gradient between inside and outside.
The OM test foot is quite sweaty too and while they were okay for
walking in cooler conditions, with higher temperatures and / or
higher tempo activities like mountain biking or running, we found
them too sweaty. If you run cooler however, that may be less of an
issue.
So far the Ultra Lights have proved to be our favourite ever
SealSkinz. To be fair that's not saying much as we didn't really like
any of their predecessors anyway, but these have definite potential,
particularly if you favour lightweight, closer-fitting footwear.
You can also wear them in looser boots with the addition of a
thin, wicking liner sock. Broadly speaking they will keep your feet
dry and are great for splash proofing and puddle paddling. In
prolonged rainfall, the moisture's gonna get you eventually.
Not bad so far, we'll keep thrashing them and see what develops.
Know more or want to?
If you'd like to add your own experiences of this product check
out our user review system and post your opinions to the world. If
you have questions you can mail
us direct, ask
Richard Gear or try a posting to our gear
forum.
