Is this your first time here at Ten Pound Backpack? Be sure to check out the Gear Lists to compare different camping and backpacking gear by weight and a few other features.
Waterproof Hiking Socks
Most people depend on their boots or shoes to keep water out, but if you cant depend on your shoes to do that, or if you’re dealing with so much water that it’s inevitable that your boots are going to become saturated with water, then waterproof hiking socks are a great option. And such a thing does indeed exist. It’s generally a better idea, however, to get boots or shoes that will keep water out, so that you don’t have to wear something like waterproof hiking socks to begin with.
Waterproof Hiking Socks
What to look for when you’re shopping for waterproof hiking socks.
- Material – As with anything that is claimed to be waterproof, you need to do your research on the material that it’s made out of and find out just how waterproof it really is. Gore-Tex is a fairly dependable choice, and there are indeed Gore-Tex socks out there that will keep your feet dry.
- Sizing and Seams – One thing that you definitely want to pay attention to when buying waterproof hiking socks is what kind of sizes are available, and where the seams are located. Socks that are far too big and have awkwardly placed seams, for instance, may keep your feet dry, but may also cause blisters.
Best Waterproof Hiking Socks
A few of the better waterproof hiking sock choices on the market.
- SealSkinz Waterproof Crew Socks – These are probably the most complex socks you will ever own. The outside is a blend of nylon and spandex, which gives them a great, stretchy fit. The inside is CoolMax, which helps to wick moisture away from the skin. And sandwiched between those two layers is a waterproof polyurethane membrane. So they’re a standalone sock, rather than something you would wear over top of a regular sock, but clearly a product that a lot of thought and design went in to.
- Rocky Gore-Tex Oversocks – These are the kind of thing that you wear on top of another hiking sock. They’re Gore-Tex, as the name suggests, and are supposed to fit relatively snug, as they come in a range of sizes. The seams are also positioned well to minimize rubbing and other long term problems. So if you want something that you can slip on when it starts pouring, these are a great choice.