Waterproof, breathable socks, now upgraded with a merino wool innner layer for improved comfort and cushioning. Will they keep your feet dry though?
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SealSkinz Mid-Thermal Merino
Socks Tested
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Price:
£25.00
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Weight: 118 grammes (pair
medium)
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Features: Seamless
three layer construction, Porelle waterproof breathable
membrane, merino wool inner layer.
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Waterproof and more sock-like than before.
May not be breathable enough.
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The Concept The latest version of the SealSkinz waterproof /
breathable sock is like earlier versions designed to keep your feet
dry, but they've upped the ante by using a new merino wool lining
instead of the old, rather unsatisfying incarnation that never quite
felt comfortable to us.
The maker says that you should be able to use them for pretty much
any activity from fell running to backpacking and keep your feet
dry.
Features The socks are a three layer confection with a stretchy,
breathable, waterproof Porelle membrane sandwiched between a
robust-feeling outer layer and a plush merino inner. The merino
features denser, 'twist pile' padded bits on the underside of the
foot and the back of the ankle, just like real socks in fact.
You also get an elasticated closure to minimise water ingress over
the cuff, which is nice.
In Action First, the merino-lined version i s a significant
improvement on the original. The padding under the foot and general
feel of the sock is nicer and while there's still a bit of a 'plastic
bag' element to them, get them close fitting - try before you buy -
and they sit okay on the foot and have the bulk of a thickish walking
sock.
We used them for walking and mountain biking - this version is too
thick for running unless you have generous-fitting shoes, but there
is a lighter weight incarnation out there - and found them generally
waterproof, making them a good partner for leaky boots and a godsend
if your footwear's still damp from the day before.
Comfort was generally good, like we said, much better than the
earlier version, though we found our feet tended to get damp on
longer, wet weather outings. We suspect that's because the sock is
eventually overwhelmed by the quantity of moisture produced by a
hard-working foot, which can be up to half a pint on a hot day. If
your boots are damp inside as well, it's that much harder for the
sock to breathe effectively. For shorter term use, they were
fine.
They also take a while to dry out after either a soaking or a trip
through the washing machine (up to 40C), our top tip is to turn them
inside out to give the lining a good airing.
These are considerably better than previous Sealskinz socks we've
used thanks to the comfortable merino wool lining. Reasonably
comfortable on the foot and waterproof too. It's asking a lot of any
waterproof / breathable fabric however, to cope with foot moisture
output in a damp environment and we weren't surprised that on trips
of more than a couple of hours, our feet did get damp from
perspiration.
The less sweaty your feet, the better they'll work, though. And
still much better than getting your feet soaked in a leaky summer
boot or approach shoe though and very welcome if your shoes are
already damp from a previous outing. Not that any OMer would allow
that to happen...
For running or if you have close-fitting boots, check out the
Ultralight version of the socks.
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Performance
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Value
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Pushed for time:
Upgraded SealSkinz waterproof / breathable sock, now
with more comfortable merino wool lining featuring thick
layer on underfoot. Work well unless you have sweaty feet,
in which case you'll eventually get damp form
perspiration.
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