SealSkinz Ultra Light - First Look

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.

---

Verdict

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.

---

Sealskinz Web Site

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.