| 791 | Rocky Goretex Socks | 2013-04-03 |
After being invited on a winter backpacking trip to the Smokies I went through my gear, deciding what to carry and wear. I knew I did not want to wear boots, but I did not want wet feet either. I was expecting cold and snowy weather, so gaiters and running shoes would probably do fine.
As the scheduled trip approached the weather changed from snowy and cold to just wet and cool. I have used gaiters for years and while they can keep snow at bay, my gaiters don't do well at repelling rain. They might even soak the water up! Then, I thought of trying Goretex or neoprene socks. After doing a bit of research I decided on the Rocky Goretex Socks (from Rocky Boot Company).
The oversocks performed well on the trip. The trails were very wet. On Saturday, sections of the trail were almost stream like. My shoes were very wet, but my feet were relatively dry and most importantly they were not cold.
Since the trip, I have run - wearing the socks - on a couple of rainy days. They performed very well as running socks, but generally I'm not concerned if my feet get wet or not while I am running in town.
For a few Rocky Goretex Socks notes ...
The socks feel like a Goretex jacket, that is sort of stiff.
I wore a lightweight wool running sock under the oversocks.
My feet sweat ... the Goretex must at least let some of the moisture escape or my feet would have been really wet.
I read reviews of folks complaining that the socks were difficult to put on, but that was not a problem for me. My foot did not slide into the sock, but it was not an major ordeal either. The fit is tight, but it needs to be.
I did have to adjust the socks a bit to get the wrinkles out. The socks do not really stretch to fit.
At camp I took the Goretex socks off and let them air dry while sitting on the shelter's bunk. A few minutes later, I donned my spare dry socks, the Goretex socks, and my wet shoes to wear around camp. My feet were warm and dry for the night.
I was afraid my feet would sweat too much wearing the socks. I used a bit of Sportslick to prevent my feet from pruning.
The washing instructions were simple, hand wash in warm or cold water. I just rinsed mine.
Weighing just 3 ounces (for the pair), I thought the socks were lightweight.
The socks would work with any shoes or boots.
Bicyclists enjoy Goretex socks in the winter.
Waterproofing is a tricky business. With packs, for example, you can use a pack cover to try and keep rain from saturating the pack, or you can use a pack liner to protect the goodies inside the pack from getting wet. The same options are available with footwear. You can use waterproof boots or shoes and gaiter to keep your feet from getting wet or use a Goretex sock to just protect your feet. The Goretex socks are just another option.
I thought the Goretex socks were more effective for my feet, than waterproof shoes and gaiters, while hiking in the cool rain of the Smokies.
Happy Rocky Goretex Sock trails