SEALSKINZ MID WEIGHT MID
LENGTH SOCKS TEST SERIES BY
BRIAN HARTMAN LONG-TERM
REPORT October 16, 2016
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HERE TO SKIP TO THE FIELD REPORT CLICK
HERE TO SKIP TO THE LONG-TERM REPORT
TESTER INFORMATION
NAME:
|
Brian Hartman
|
EMAIL:
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bhart1426ATyahooDOT com |
AGE:
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48
|
LOCATION:
|
Central
Indiana |
GENDER:
|
M
|
HEIGHT:
|
5' 9" (1.75
m) |
WEIGHT:
|
150 lb (68.00
kg) |
I have been backpacking for over
20 years throughout Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and most recently in Western USA. In
addition to backpacking I enjoy family camping with my wife and kids and being
outdoors in general. I would describe myself as a mid weight backpacker. I use
fairly light weight equipment and gear but still like to bring more than the
bare essentials with me while on the trail.
INITIAL REPORT
PRODUCT INFORMATION &
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Sealskinz Ltd.
Year of Manufacture:
2016 Manufacturer's Website: http://www.sealskinz.com/ MSRP: US
$50 Listed Weight: Not Provided Measured Weight: 3.7 oz (104 g) per
pair Size Tested: Large
Available Colors: Grey Marl/Dark Grey, Grey
Marl/Dark Grey/Purple, Olive Marl/Grey Marl Available Sizes: Small, Medium,
Large, X-Large
Material: Outer lining: 98% Polypropylene/2% Elastane
Membrane: Hydrophilic Membrane Inner lining: 51% Merino Wool, 30%
Polyester, 15% Acrylic, 3% Elastodiene, 1% Elastane
INITIAL IMPRESSION
The Sealskinz Walking Mid socks
(hereafter called Sealskinz or socks) are 100% waterproof / breathable socks,
manufactured by British company Sealskinz Ltd. The Walking Mid socks are
Sealskinz' lightest weight waterproof socks, designed for warm, wet days and
activities where minimal insulation and maximum breathability are required.
The socks are made in Bulgaria and feature a completely waterproof,
breathable and windproof construction using Sealskinz' proprietary 3-layer
Stretchdry technology. The outer layer of the socks is made of soft
polypropylene fabric while the inner layer is a combination of polyester,
acrylic, and Merino wool for comfort and moisture control; sandwiched in between
these two layers is a thin, waterproof, breathable hydrophilic membrane that
allows water molecules to pass through the fabric but not water droplets. The
membrane is flexible, which uses a process patented by Sealskinz, and this
allows the socks to stretch for improved fit. The ankle and insteps are
elasticized as well so that they fit just like normal socks and don't slip
down.
I was impressed to see that Sealskinz lists the waterproof rating
and permeability index of their socks online. The waterproof rating is an
industry standard rating that is determined by taking a piece of fabric from the
item being tested and placing a 1 square inch (6 square cm) tube on top of it
and then filling it with water. The waterproof rating of the socks, 10,000mm
(394 in), is a measure of the water pressure exerted on the fabric before it
allows water to pass through. The water vapor permeability index for the socks
is 65%.
READING THE INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions for how to wash
and dry the socks are located online as well as printed on the packaging. One
tip that Sealskinz recommends is turning the socks inside out when washing and
drying them. They also recommend setting the washing machine to the 'hand or
wool wash' option if available and not exposing the socks to excessive heat in
the washer, in other words keeping them below 104 F (40 C). There are no
special requirements for the type of detergent used. Regarding drying, the
manufacturer recommends tumble drying on a low temperature setting or even
better, letting the socks air dry for best results.
One other thing worth
noting is Sealskinz' no-quibble refund guarantee which says "if the socks don't
fit or you just don't like them, they can be returned for a full refund". In
addition, Sealskinz socks are guarantee to be 100% waterproof and can be
returned for repair/replacement if there is a manufacturing defect.
TRYING THEM ON
When deciding which socks to order,
Seaslskinz' sizing chart indicated that I was in between sizes. So I consulted
their FAQ page and ordered size 'large' based on their recommendation to go up
one size in situations like this. During the following week I anxiously waited
for the socks to arrive, hoping I'd made the right decision. When the socks
came, I removed them from their packaging and immediately tried them on. I
found they were soft, comfortable, and fit ok with a small amount of excess
fabric on the top and bottom of the toes. The socks have considerable stretch,
more than I imagined, which allows each size to fit several foot sizes. I also
noticed right away that the socks were thinner and lighter than I
expected.
Regarding construction, the socks appeared to be well
constructed with lots of attention paid to detail. I can only imagine the time
it took to design a sock pattern that allows three layers of material to come
together without bunching up. The same level of detail and craftsmanship would
be needed to cut out patterns for all three fabric layers and precisely stitch
them together.
My initial test for the socks was to step in the shower
for a minute with the water running. When I turned off the water and removed
the socks, my left foot was dry but the top of my right foot was surprisingly
wet. At first I thought that water got in from above the sock, but if that was
the case my lower leg and ankle should have been wet as well but they weren't.
So before heading into the field I plan to let the socks dry out and redo the
test in a bucket of water. For now I simply wrung the socks out and turned them
inside out to air dry.
SUMMARY
The Sealskinz Walking Mid socks
are well designed and meticulously sewn with top quality construction and
workmanship throughout. I really like the fact that their Stretchdry membrane
is a permanent waterproof barrier so there is no need to treat or re-proof it in
order to maintain waterproofness. During the next few months I will be
evaluating the durability and comfort of these socks as well as their
waterproof, breathable capabilities in the field.
This concludes my
Initial Report for the Sealskinz Walking Mid socks. I would like to thank
Sealskinz and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test these
socks.
LONG-TERM
REPORT
LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND
CONDITIONS
Since posting my Initial Report in May I wore
the Sealskinz socks for a total of 19 days and approximately 86 mi (138 km).
This included wearing them on four backpacking trips and six day hikes in a
variety of weather conditions ranging from hot and dry to cold and wet days.
Temperatures during testing ranged from 52 to 88 F (11 to 31 C).
My
first trip was to the Charles Deam Wilderness in Southern Indiana (IN) where I
stayed for three days. The area was wooded and very hilly. There were also,
unfortunately, lots of mosquitoes out during the morning and evening hours.
Skies were mostly cloudy during my stay with highs in the upper 70s F (26 C) and
lows in the upper 50s F (14 C). I covered approximately 12 mi (19 km) on this
trip while backpacking mostly dirt/mud trails.
Location: Charles Deam
Wilderness Type of Trip: Trail hiking Distance: 12 mi (19 km) Length
of Trip: Three days Backpack Weight: 30 lb (13 kg) Weather Conditions:
Most cloudy Precipitation: 0.5 in (1.0 cm) Temperature Range: 58 to 78 F
(14 to 26 C)
My second trip of the test period was to the Hoosier
National Forest in Brown County, IN where I camped for four days. This area was
also heavily forested and quite hilly with elevations ranging from 530 - 790 ft
(161 - 241 m). The weather was mild and sunny during my stay with highs in the
mid-70s F (24 C) and lows in the upper-60s F (21 C). During this trip I hiked
approximately 15 mi (24 km) along mostly hardpacked trails and made several
stream crossings.
Location: Hoosier National Forest Type of Trip:
Trail hiking Distance: 15 mi (24 km) Length of Trip: Four
days Backpack Weight: 38 lb (17 kg) Weather Conditions: Mild and
sunny Precipitation: None Temperature Range: 68 to 75 F (21 to 24
C)
My third trip was to Franklin County in Southeastern IN where I hiked
approximately 12 mi (19 km) during the course of three days. The weather was
cool and rainy on the first day but cleared up afterwards allowing me to enjoy
sunny skies and moderate temperatures on days two and three, while testing the
socks in a nearby creek.
Location: Franklin County, IN Type of Trip:
Off-trail hiking Distance: 12 mi (19 km) Length of Trip: Three
days Backpack Weight: 35 lb (16 kg) Weather Conditions: Rainy the first
day Precipitation: 0.6 in (1.5 cm) Temperature Range: 72 to 78 F (22 to
25 C)
My final trip was a family camping trip to Southern IN where I
hiked, fished and waded through creeks looking for fossils. The terrain was
hilly with lots of open and forested areas to explore. Temperatures ranged from
70 to 88 F (21 to 31 C).
Location: Southern IN Type of Trip: Off-trail
hiking Distance: 6 mi (10 km) Length of Trip: Three days Sky and Air
Conditions: Hot and partly sunny Precipitation: None Temperature Range:
70 to 88 F (21 to 31 C)
I also did six dayhikes during this period. My
hikes took place at local parks in Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee and Central IN
and ranged from 6 to 8 mi (10 to 13 km) each.
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
The Sealskinz socks performed
wonderfully during the past four months of testing. During this time they were
comfortable, durable, warm and waterproof.
When I first received these socks and
tried these socks on, I noticed that there was excessive material in the toe box
and was concerned this might make them uncomfortable to wear with shoes. As it
turned out these socks were too thick to wear with my hiking shoes, but my boots
were big enough that the excess fabric in the toe box caused no discomfort and I
haven't gotten any blisters from them. I considered returning the socks for
size 'Medium' but the manufacturer's website recommended up-sizing if in between
shoe sizes which made sense to get proper sock length and fit for my calves.
Although I was disappointed I couldn't wear them with my hiking shoes, I figured
beforehand that they might not fit because of their thickness. A few other
notes regarding comfort: these socks have a very soft wool lining that is not at
all itchy, and the elastic has done a great job of keeping them in place, even
after several cycles through the washing machine. I have had other socks that
were either too loose or too tight and didn't want to stay up around my calves
but these socks do not slip at all. Finally, the Sealskinz add an extra bit of
cushion for my feet, and every bit helps when carrying a heavy pack.
As
testament to their construction and durability, the Sealskinz have endured
almost 100 mi (160 km) on the trail and are still in good condition with no
holes, thin spots, and no major pilling. Given their high tech design and
waterproof membrane, I find this noteworthy. They have been through the washer
a half dozen times, always inside out, and are still stretchy and have not
shrunk. Sealskinz recommends letting them air dry, inside out first, and so
that is what I have always done and it seems to work well. In comparison to a
second pair of Sealskinz socks I have that are still brand new, the well-worn
pair have no visible signs of wear or color fading, again tribute to their
durability.
I wore the Sealskinz in a variety of
temperatures ranging from 52 to 88 F (11 to 31 C) and they were always warm in
cool temperatures, even when it was damp or raining, and were breathable in warm
temperatures. I did notice some moisture build up when I was hiking hard in hot
weather, but in those temperatures I was sweating everywhere, much less my feet
which were enclosed in wool socks inside leather hiking boots. After wearing
these socks for three or four days straight, they start to smell but not nearly
as bad as polyester clothing and a quick trip through the washing machine
removes any odors.
In my Initial Report I mentioned that my right foot
was wet after standing in the shower with these socks. Once the sock in
question dried out, I marked it with a Sharpie and have kept watch on it since
then. Four months later I am happy to report that it has not leaked again,
calling into question if water did indeed come in from above. All of my tests
during this period were carried out in creeks and streams in water that was no
deeper than 6 in (15 cm) except for one misstep I had that almost soaked me
completely. Luckily warm weather meant that I was in no real danger and my
boots and the socks dried out by the next day. One thing about the socks is
they take at least several hours to dry when they get completely soaked. That's
not a knock on them, just an observation and something to keep in mind before
marching knee deep through a creek.
SUMMARY
I am quite impressed with the
Sealskinz socks. They are comfortable, durable and perform exactly as stated by
the manufacturer. They are great article of clothing for backpacking when only
the best will do and I am already looking forward to wearing them this winter in
cold, wet snow.
This concludes this test series. My thanks to
BackpackGearTest and Sealskinz for the opportunity to test these socks.
This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org
Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.
Read more reviews of SealSkinz gear
Read more gear reviews by Brian Hartman
|