Sealskinz Socks

[Andybg]

I invested (32ukpounds) in a pair of these thinking they would be a step up from my neoprene wet suit socks that I usually use (about 5uk pounds)

I am sad to say they were terrible. I took the bike out for a 40km ride in a snow storm (I know I am a bit mad) and I ws toasty warm and really had some fun with the studded tyres but my feet were freezing even though they were dry.

A real shame as I had high hopes for them.

Wll back to the wet suit socks and toasty warm feet.

It is true what they say - In really cold wet weather the key is to be wet and warm rather than dry and cold.

Andy

[Danneaux]

Andy,

I've had good luck with coated nylon toe clip covers on cold days, and just recently invested in some Louis Garneau thin (3mm) neoprene over-shoe booties (only USD$15 on sale...never could afford them before). Both can be used at once, and I think my feet will be warm this winter -- Yay!  Previously, I had used plastic bags in the toes of my shoes to break the wind, which helped greatly. Remember, I'm probably the last old roadie in the world using Detto Pietro Article 74 cleated cycling shoes...the kind with many large holes punched in the leather so they *will* breathe nicely on all days -- in torrid heat and sub-freezing cold! Hopefully, the shoes and socks will stay dry when it pours rain, my main reason for getting them (leather shoes take forever to dry on-tour and want to come apart if ridden wet).

So sorry the SealSkinz didn't do the job for you. They didn't for jags, either, but seem to be the ideal solution for others. It may be they are just one of those things that work on an individual basis. Glad you have an alternative in the wet-suit socks.

Thanks for the report; one more data point that will help others.

All the best,

Dan. (...who wouldn't mind trying some someday, but is beginning to have report-based doubts about shelling out for them)

[in4]

I bought a pair of Sealskinz winter gloves. They were diabolical. Supposedly breathable; they simply acted as a repository for sweat; think hand in moist plastic bag and you are there!. These gloves are now relegated to gardening jobs. I've heard that these gloves are spoken well of but have not tried them personally. http://www.evanscycles.com/products/endura/full-monty-gloves-ec011698

[rualexander]

I have been using Sealskinz socks for about 8 years now and find them very good, not perfect, but very good. They are waterproof up to about three hours plus in continuous rain and then start to either let water penetrate in through the opening your foot goes into or from condensation build up, probably both.
I have the merino version and they do keep my feet warm enough on all but the most extreme days here in central Scotland, but I also wear 'lightweight' walking boots with waterproof liner for cycling in winter here.

I've had Sealskinz winter gloves for about three years, can't remember the exact version, and they are good on very cold dry days, but are prone to sweat build up on milder days. On really wet days they do not stay dry inside and the outer layers act like a sponge (have to keep squeezing hands to remove excess water), so whether they actually leak or just don't breathe enough is hard to say.

[Cambirder]

Those socks come in a a variety of weights and thermal properties, so it sounds like you were not using the correct sock(s) for the conditions. I would have a pair of thermal liner socks under a pair of mid-weight waterproof socks for the sort of sub zero temperatures we get round here rather than a single pair of thicker socks. As with the rest of the body layering is the way to go in the cold.

[JWestland]

I had sealskinz gloves: Terrible pieces of crud, the water stayed on the outside layer so even though you fingers didn't get wet, the heat was soaked out as the water evaporated.

I was given a pair of Sealskin socks (dark blue with lighter line on collar) as the size M didn't fit the manfriend, and they are quite warm/nice, stop the winter and are showerproof.

But not sure they are much better than Wooly Socks + Plastic Bags/Overshoes.

[bikepacker]

I have used this companies products for about 12 years. Originally they were called Porelle Dry and the socks were great, I still have a pair. Then they changed to Sealskinz and for a few years the socks were good but the gloves were iffy. My last purchases of their gloves and socks have been a dissapointment. I got some socks earlier this year and first time of use they leaked, I sent them back to Sealskinz and they returned them saying there was not a leak. I tested them again in a bowl of water and it was apparent they leaked so I sent them back again with strong words. They did then admit they leaked and replaced them.

So my opinion of the them is; they have gone downhill their products are not as good and their customer service stinks.

[il padrone]

Better investment is a good pair of waterproof overbooties.I have the Showerspass Club Shoe Covers and have found them to be excellent for keeping the feet dry and comfy on wet commutes. In  really heavy rain of course such booties require some overpants over the top of them to prevent rainwater running down your leg and into the booties. The booties have a closed sole (lightweight) which you cut cleat openings into if you need them. If you don't cut a cleat-hole (Danneaux) then they are even more waterproof.

[Hamish]

Well I actually like sealskinz. If they keep you dry .....then add a warm sock and they will keep you warm and dry.  They are not perfect but they do work quite well in drizzle and spray. When new they are great. I forded a river in mine (the heavier calf length ones) and they kept my feet dry.  They do wear out though but even then keep the worst off and stop wind penetrating my socks in thin cycling shoes.

[revelo]

It is true what they say - In really cold wet weather the key is to be wet and warm rather than dry and cold.

I don't agree with the above, but it is definitely true that wet and warm implies a fail-safe/fail-soft system. Holes in neoprene only slightly reduce the insulating power. Whereas holes or other leaks in Sealskinz cause almost total loss of insulating power.

If you are truly dry in cold wet weather, then it is hard to imagine how you could feel very cold. I'm assuming wet means liquid water and thus temperatures not far below freezing. Provided you are protected from the wind (as you must be to stay dry if there is liquid water about) and radiation and respiratory heat losses are limited by cloud cover and high humidity, respectively, then cold and wet should not feel particularly cold. I typically find myself perspiring under such conditions unless I am motionless. The reason most people think cold and wet is brutally cold mainly because it is so difficult to keep dry under these conditions, which is why fail-safe systems like neoprene can be life-savers, as long as you have some means of preventing funguses.