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Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Rocky Gore-Tex Socks > Andy Mytys > Field ReportRocky Gore-Tex OversocksField Report
Product Information:
The information in this Field Report of the Rocky Gore-Tex Oversocks is to be taken in addition to my Initial Report, where I summarized the basic product features inherent to the oversocks. Product Description: The Rocky Oversocks came packaged in a small box with the box's backing extended out to form a hang-tab. Operating instructions, a technical overview of the oversocks' construction and capabilities (waterproof, windproof, breathable) and suggested uses were printed on the packaging. The Rocky Oversocks are waterproof socks that incorporate a Gore-Tex membrane in their construction. This membrane, based on its physical properties, prevents water from passing through while allowing perspiration to escape. The waterproof socks are designed to be worn over regular socks and claim to be waterproof, windproof, and breathable.
Testing Approach: As a lightweight/ultralight hiker, I prefer to carry one footwear solution with me - either a pair of running shoes or sandals. During my testing, I carried the Rocky Oversocks in my pack and donned them whenever I found myself wet conditions that would otherwise penetrate into the inside of my footwear. As the oversocks are advertised as being "totally waterproof," I expected the oversocks to keep my feet dry, even when my shoes were soaked through for days at a time. The following narrative describes my experiences with the Rocky Gore-Tex Oversocks thus far, including field conditions and sock performance.
Trial by Fire, Errr... Rain! I spent the month of May in Europe. Spring in Europe is typically wet, and this year was no exception. I packed light for this trip, with the expectation that the Rocky Gore-Tex Oversocks would be a secret weapon of sorts. I traveled with one pair of lightweight running shoes equipped with a tight nylon weave along their sides. Such a shoe design has a relatively fast dry-time, and provides the foot with a high degree of breathability. The tradeoff is little, if any, protection in wet conditions. I planned to compensate for the shoe's permeability by wearing the Rocky socks when presented with wet conditions, which I anticipated would allow my feet to stay warm and dry. I took only two pairs of socks, in addition to a quick-drying liner sock. I planned to wash the liners and one pair of socks daily. The liners would dry overnight on a line and be ready to wear the next morning. The pair of socks that were washed might still be wet though, as they were thicker and took longer to air-dry. If necessary, I could give the socks additional dry-time by hanging them off of my pack. The first storm I encountered was powerful. The clouds were so thick that day turned to night, and a strong wind was bringing in the storm system quickly. I had just enough time to put my Rocky socks and rain poncho on before the rain started to fall, and soon pea-sized hail was falling in addition to the rain. I had about a half mile (800 m) between the bus depot and myself, and the wind made sure that the small overhangs on buildings along the street would provide no solace from the elements - my only choice was to continue towards my destination, my head facing down to shield it from the rain. The narrow city streets were soon flooded, as water from the rooftops came pouring out of open gutters on either side of the street. Suddenly, a truck came around the bend and, as it blasted its way through a deep puddle in the road, it sent a wave of hail-infested water in my direction. Before I could turn away, the blast hit me straight in the face - I could feel hail bouncing in the space between my eyes and my glasses. Still, I pressed onward. By now, any part of my clothing not covered by my poncho was soaked through to the skin. I was moving up a slope, and the street and sidewalk looked like two streams running parallel to one another. I looked down and saw the water flowing over my shoes - the stream that the sidewalk had become was now ankle deep. Amazingly, I had only moved about 100 yards (100 m) from where I had started. As I took my next steps, I felt my feet coming down with a squish, and there was a sucking sound to each step I took. It reminded me of a plunger - each time I lifted my foot it felt as if there was an open space under it, and each time I stepped down I could feel water being forced through my innermost sock and against my toes. My feet were thoroughly soaked. I finally made it to the depot, and stood under a large awning waiting for my bus to arrive - it would take fifty minutes. I had lots of time to wiggle my toes and ponder, was it my imagination or were my feet wet? It continued to rain, and the wet feeling in my feet soon had the rest of my body starting to feel cold. Thankfully, I never go anywhere without my hat and gloves. So there I stood, in the middle of May, with temperatures in the low-50's (~11 C), wearing a knit hat, gloves, and bright blue poncho. I may have looked strange, but I was finally feeling warmer. My bus ride was a half hour long. I pulled off my poncho and was pleased to see that my clothing underneath was mainly dry, save for a few damp spots along the sides where water had penetrated my defenses. My pants, however, were soaked from about the knee down because of my poncho not providing me full coverage. By now, I was also convinced that my socks were wet and that the Rocky Gore-Tex Oversocks had met their match, providing little more than a delay in my feet becoming wet. I could still feel an air pocket on the inside of the oversock, and as I proceeded to roll the sole of my shoe against the floor of the bus, I could feel the water that was trapped on the inside of the oversock moving around and being pumped into my inner sock whenever I placed pressure down on my foot. I arrived at my destination to find slightly improved weather conditions. It was still raining, but the high winds, hail, and flooded streets were a thing of the past. I would now have to walk three miles (4.8 km), in the company of continuing rain. Large puddles would present themselves along the way, and I would just walk right on through. By this time there was little point in avoidance, as my feet couldn't get any wetter than they already were. Once I was finally out of the rain for good, I removed my shoes and Rocky socks. As I suspected, the inner socks were saturated with water. My feet were cold and white. I took some time in inspected the socks, paying particular attention to the seams. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary on either sock.
These Socks Are Supposed To Be Waterproof - What Happened? I've since taken the Rocky socks for walks along a lakeshore, an environment that allowed me to regulate how much water the socks were exposed to, and for how long exposure would last. What I've found is that the socks themselves are waterproof. I can walk for miles in the water, each step submerging my shoe completely, and my inner socks will remain relatively dry. They may be damp from perspiration, but there is no evidence of water soaking through the oversocks' Gore-Tex material or seams. I've also been able to take the Rocky socks for walks in heavy rains, once again using my poncho as raingear. The rule seems to be that whenever my pant legs get soaked with water, the insides of the Rocky socks also become flooded. The problem is that the tops of the Rocky socks do not provide a tight seal, and any water that trickles down the leg has a fighting chance at ending up on the inside of the waterproof sock. Likewise, if I walk into an area where water levels are over the top of the sock, water will penetrate inside.
Summary of Tests Results Thus Far: My experiences have shown me that, while the socks themselves are waterproof, water running down one's legs can penetrate to the inside of the sock by flowing between the top of the sock and the wearer's leg - the Rocky Gore-Tex Oversocks are not waterproof in every situation.
Other Considerations:
Next Steps: In the final stage of my testing, I will be concentrating my efforts to finding a way to prevent water from penetrating the top of the sock. I will test various raingear solutions, including rain pants. I will also try work around the limitations of my poncho, by adding a pair of knee-high gaiters to my kit. I am hoping that the overlap between the poncho and gaiters will be enough to keep my pants completely dry, at least in the area above the Rocky sock. This in turn should prevent water from running down my leg and into the oversocks. Testing will continue into early November, when cold temperatures are sure to be encountered. While the oversock may keep water out, its exterior will still be wet and exposed to cold air temperatures. Will my foot become cold as a result of conductive heat loss? Finally, durability and long-term performance will be evaluated. Will the oversocks remain waterproof throughout the entire span of testing? It is well publicized that Gore-Tex is an effective water barrier as long as it is kept clean. Dirt particles found on Gore-Tex can pierce into the material's pores creating passages where water can penetrate through. These socks will be on my feet, and exposed to mud, sand, dirt, skree, etc. This is hardly a dirt-free environment. How well will these socks perform in the long run? Personal Biographical Information:
Backpacking Background: I live in Michigan and have been hiking seriously for 15 years, although I've camped since I was 6 years old. I consider myself a lightweight hiker. I carry the lightest gear I can get my hands on which will provide a comfortable wilderness experience and adequately support the goals of my trip. Unless my goals are time/distance oriented, my pace is always slow. I rarely exceed 1.5 miles (2.4 km)/hour. I rest frequently, hike long days, and enjoy whatever nature throws my way. Read more reviews of Rocky Shoes and Boots gear Read more gear reviews by Andrew Mytys Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Rocky Gore-Tex Socks > Andy Mytys > Field Report | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||