Sealskinz Socks – Review
We slip on a pair of Sealskinz waterproof socks and splash about in puddles.
Did you know that the bloke who invented television also had a go at inventing pneumatic shoes, man-made diamonds and even waterproof socks?! John Logie Baird was a Scottish chap who suffered with chilly feet, and did some work developing thermal socks. His advertising text makes excellent reading…
“Most foot troubles arise from the necessity which civilisation imposes upon us of keeping our feet in more or less air-tight boots or shoes and thus preventing the perspiration (which is simply poisonous matter the skin rids itself of through the pores) from evaporating.
“This perspiration remains in the sock and the foot is bathed throughout the day in the very poisons from which it has been trying to free itself.
“The Baird Undersock is a specially medicated soft absorbent sheath worn next the skin under the ordinary sock. It instantly absorbs and neutralises all perspiration, keeping the feet clean, healthy, and comfortable.”
Jump forward 80 odd years and we get to 1998 and the introduction of Sealskinz – waterproof socks aimed at hikers and outdoor people who wanted dry feet. We had some of the original socks, and various other pairs over the years. They have been great at keeping water out, but have suffered a bit with fit, styling and being really hot!
Jump forward again to 2014 and a last “what have I missed” wander of the halls of Eurobike, and for some reason I was drawn to the Sealskinz stand. It must have been the fond memories of warm feet on long tromps across Dartmoor.
Sealskinz are undergoing a bit of a renaissance at the moment, developing their products from their earlier years into some sleek well fitting designs, and the range we saw is just the tip of the iceberg for us gravity themed riders. Shropshire pinners Sandy Plenty and Traharn Chidley are just two of the riders on board as brand ambassadors and with Sealskinz having just pledged their backing for the UK Gravity Enduro series for next year we can expect great things in the pipeline.
The socks we are testing are the mid-weight, mid length version in a rather fetching “Sea Eagle” print. In the old days you only had a choice of black, black or black, so the introduction of some designs is sure to please those of us who like a bit of colour in our lives. The mid length sits pretty much mid-way up my lower leg. They are also available in shorter and knee length versions.
The fit is great, with a snug, foot and leg hugging fit all the way up, despite plenty of washing, drying, leaving in the bottom of kit bags damp for days. The durable outer layer and the warm merino liner are both bonded to the waterproof membrane in such a way that they feel like a relatively thick single layer sock. The waterproof membrane keeps out water, even stood in puddles or wading streams. Obviously the weak point is the top of the sock and water will eventually seep down if it is running down your legs, but the seal round the top is well up to keeping all but a total deluge out. If you are in trousers, or full length leg wear you are pretty much guaranteed dry feet. The knee length socks combined with knee pads would produce similar results I reckon. If you do get some water in your socks you don’t suffer with it chilling your feet like a normal pair of socks, it almost acts like a wetsuit, trapping a warming layer of water and meaning that any leakage is not a disaster.
Without these socks I’d certainly have had more miserable rides recently, and I’m excited to see what else these guys have in the pipeline.
Mid Weight, Mid Length – RRP £32.00
