A little water never hurt anyone, right? The truth is that water, though we swim in it, play in it and consume it on a daily basis, can be harmful or even deadly in the wrong scenario.
Wet feet can cause illness, initiate frostbite and even lead to the loss of limbs.
For outdoorsmen and those who ski or hike snowy trails, a good pair of waterproof socks can mean the difference between the joy of your favorite activity or a tragedy that ends with amputation.
While your reasons for purchasing a solid pair of waterproof socks may not be quite as dire, you want a sock that’s going to keep water and cold out while still allowing your feet to breathe.
Here’s how to select a pair, how to use them, how to clean them and what to look for.
What Are Waterproof Socks
While socks that seal out water ARE used for higher-stakes expeditions and multi-week hiking trips, it’s more likely that you’re shopping around for purposes like fishing, cold mountain climbing or any other type of cold outdoor activities.
However, if the goal was just to keep moisture out, then waterproof socks would be made out of plastic or some other type of non-breathable material.
Naturally, a sock made out of such a medium would completely suffocate your foot. By not allowing the skin to breathe or cool, the foot would heat up, producing perspiration and soaking the inside of the sock.
If the inside of your sock is soaked from your own sweat, there’s not much sense in outside that’s waterproof.
With this in mind, most waterproof socks are designed using a three-layer approach, which contains a quick-drying, outer shell, a layer that wicks away moisture and an insulated interior that keeps your feet warm and toasty.
Benefits of Using Waterproof Socks
From hiking and fishing to boating and backpacking, the uses for waterproof socks are nearly endless.
Cross country users love them for plowing through puddles, skiers use them to keep their feet warm and dry for full-day skiing excursions and snorkelers use them in conjunction with wetsuits to stay warm underwater.
Pretty much any outdoor sport where you can conceivably encounter moisture can be made more comfortable with the use of waterproof socks.
From performance to comfort, here are some of the many benefits of waterproof socks:
Warmth
Waterproof socks are designed in a wide array of fashions and styles, but they all have one thing in common – each aims to keep your feet warm by keeping water out.
When toes are one of the body parts that most commonly fall victim to frostbite, it’s worth the money to invest in heat retention.
The warmth that waterproof socks seals into your shoe may also allow you to participate in the sports and outdoor activities you love in a season you otherwise might not have been able to.
Comfort
With their added padding, extra warmth and high-quality material, the waterproof socks on the market today might feel more like slippers for men than the multi-use, tactical field gear that they are.
Don’t let them fool you! They prove that comfort and utility can coexist.
Besides adding comfort through warmth, they also relieve friction-related sores like blisters which are commonly caused by damp socks.
Performance
Whether you’re skiing the slopes of the Swiss Alps, hiking the Appalachian Trail, running a marathon in the snow or doing something a little less impressive, waterproof socks are going to increase your performance.
The added grip allows your feet to grip to the bottom of the show, which makes it easier to walk, run, hike or bike without slipping or falling, even in streams or mud.
Additionally, some brands have even incorporated grip technology to the bottom of the sock, to increase performance even more.
Are They Really Waterproof
Waterproof vs Water Resistant
The advertising on the package may say the product is 100% waterproof, but the sad truth is that the advertising is a bit of a stretch.
For any sock to be 100% waterproof, it would have to be constructed out of rubber or some other completely unbreathable material.
The good news is that waterproof socks are constructed and designed so well, that you probably won’t notice this if you’re using them appropriately.
Few socks can truly protect your foot from full immersion at extended periods of time but don’t worry, most people don’t need that, anyway, so a good pair of water-resistant socks will do the trick.
How to Wear Best Waterproof Socks
For the most part, waterproof socks are intended to be worn like any traditional sock but may take a little extra effort to put on or take off.
While some may choose to wear their waterproof socks directly over their feet, some are large enough to accommodate a pair of regular socks for men underneath for added cushion and comfort.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to wear your waterproof socks:
Step 1 – Be patient putting them on
The thicker, waterproof material these socks are made out of can sometimes take a little more time and care to slip onto your feet.
Don’t rush to get them on your feet and risk damage or tearing, simply take your time.
Step 2 – Fasten straps
Some products have ankle straps for added security. If you’ve purchased a pair with this feature, wait until you had the sock fully on and adjusted before you fasten the strap.
When you strap the socks on, do so firmly enough that water will not seep in, but loose enough to allow adequate circulation.
Step 3 – Remove with care
Once your socks have been exposed to water, you may find it even more difficult to remove them. As with putting them on, simply remember to remove them with patience and care.
Step 4 – Allow them to dry
As soon as you remove your socks, you’ll want to wash them and allow them to dry. This helps keep them in good shape and assures that you’re not allowing for the growth of mold or mildew.
Material
Do Your Feet Get Sweaty Wearing Waterproof Socks
It makes sense to wonder if a sock made out of a waterproof material would be sweaty and uncomfortable.
After all, the same technology that would keep water locked out of a sock would at first appear to cause any perspiration to stay locked in.
However, the unique materials these products are constructed out of allows them to wick away moisture without trapping perspiration.
Here are a couple of the most common materials used in waterproof socks. Often, they are used in conjunction with each other in the form of blended fabrics for optimum efficiency.
Types of Waterproof Socks
You can say that all waterproof socks types are tightly connected with the material from which they are made.
Here are some of the most common materials used in crafting this product and also some of the most common types:
Merino wool
Merino wool is impressive for its ability to hold in heat. Its unique properties react to skin temperature, which helps them stay efficient for long periods of time.
Especially ideal for those who wear hiking boots for long, snowy treks, socks made out of merino wool are sure to keep your toes toasty.
Nylon
Nylon-based waterproof socks tend to breathe more freely than wool or other options.
Often combined with polyester and spandex, nylon products usually also have the added advantage of being smooth and comfortable to the touch.
Bamboo rayon
Options crafted out of bamboo rayon have a silk-like texture that prioritizes comfort.
These socks are also generally easier to remove, while some of their heavier, thicker competitors can tug uncomfortably at the skin.
Neoprene fabric
Neoprene is a popular material for surfing and scuba-diving wetsuits. Though neoprene products may be marketed as waterproof, they actually don’t stop water from coming in at all.
Instead, neoprene is designed to utilize and embrace it to maximize warmth.
By absorbing a small amount of water into the material, neoprene-designed socks use your body to heat the water held in the fabric and use it as a barrier against the cold.
The upside of these products is that they’re usually durable and are still effective even when submerged completely.
Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex is a patented fabric brand that is used often in outdoor and watersport clothing. Its technology makes it both windproof and breathable.
The downside is that it’s not very flexible, which makes it extremely hard to put on. It is, however, great at keeping your skin as dry as the Sahara when matched up against creeks, mud and rain.
How to Choose Best Waterproof Socks
Waterproof socks aren’t one-size-fits-all. These products are designed with vastly different needs and activities in mind, so selecting a pair that suits you takes some consideration.
Here’s what to consider when you start shopping around:
Quality
Do you need a sock that’s going to withstand abuse, drastic temperatures and harsh weather or do you just need a product that will sufficiently wick away moisture?
Socks come in varying levels of quality and the absolute truth of the matter is that not everyone needs to invest in a top-of-the-line product. Assess your needs and select a sock that suits it.
Breathability
Especially if you want to wear your socks in both warm and cold weather, you probably want a product with maximum breathability.
After all, what’s the point in a waterproof sock that has your foot drowning from the inside due to your own sweat? Look for socks that have porous, flexible material which will allow your skin to breathe.
Warmth
Especially important for those who are purchasing waterproof socks for skiing, winter hiking or any other outdoor sport which occurs in cold weather, warmth is going to be a deciding factor.
For socks with the highest heat retention, look into wool-based products.
Size
If it doesn’t fit, it’s no good. Unfortunately, there’s less size variation with waterproof socks.
Waterproof materials also tend to be a little more unforgiving than traditional socks when it comes to fits and sizes. Socks that are too big or too small will be useless at keeping water out.
For that reason, it takes a little bit more care and attention to get a pair that truly fits. Just to be sure, always consult the company’s guide to sizing when making a purchase.
Thickness
Thickness is a big varying factor when it comes to waterproof socks.
Although denser materials are more comfortable for long hikes and hard terrain, they’re also heavier and may be uncomfortable in some scenarios.
For example, a cross country runner wishing to sport waterproof socks for a rainy marathon run might invest in a lighter, thinner option.
Thinner socks are also great because they can double as regular socks on laundry day and even be worn with regular shoes, such as your trusty tennis shoes or a pair of the best chukka boots.
Fit
The ideal sock will have a comfortable fit that is snug without being too tight. You want the sock material to firmly hug your skin and ankle and guard your foot against seepage.
However, you also want to have full circulation and comfortability.
How to Wash and Maintain Waterproof Socks
Without the proper maintenance, socks can lose their effectiveness or even cease to be waterproof at all. After purchasing your perfect socks, you need to be sure to take proper care of it.
These guidelines will help ensure that your waterproof socks last.
Washing
Some products are machine washable. However, the technology of many waterproof sock designs can’t stand up to the heat and cycle of the standard washing machine.
Always consult the label of your socks as to whether or not they can be machine washed, but a good rule of thumb is to wash them by hand using a gentle detergent.
Drying
Many waterproof socks (such as all wool socks) require air drying rather than machine drying.
Again, the delicate structure of the waterproof material will be made ineffective by the harsh conditions of a dryer.
Air drying takes time and can be a pain, but its worth it, in the long run, to keep your socks in good shape.
Conclusion
You’ve probably loved puddle-stomping since you were a kid.
Whether you’re fishing, hiking or doing anything else outdoors, knowing that your feet are protected from the elements is an unusually wild feeling of empowerment.
You can walk through a stream without worry, stomp through puddles without care and trudge through snow and not think twice.
Along with other gear like a good tactical jacket, a professional boot knife and heavy-duty gloves, you can be ready for anything.
When you’ve clad yourself in a high-quality pair of waterproof socks, you’re one step closer to being invincible and nothing feels better than that.
Photos from: chelsdo / depositphotos.com, Ruslan / depositphotos.com, rjlerich / depositphotos.com, fineart / depositphotos.com and derepente / depositphotos.com.
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