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Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Rocky Gore-Tex Socks > Andy Mytys > Long Term ReportRocky Gore-Tex OversocksLong Term Report
Product Information:
The information in this Long Term Report of the Rocky Gore-Tex Oversocks is to be taken in addition to my Initial, and Field reports. 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 in wet conditions that would otherwise result in damp or wet socks. 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.
Field Conditions: The Rocky Gore-Tex Oversocks were used in wet conditions created by the presence of rain, mud, or high water levels. Temperatures varied from 35 to 75 F (1 - 24 C). Elevations ranged from 300 to 8500 feet (90 - 2500 m). I took a lightweight hiking approach in selecting my footwear and hiked either in running shoes or sandals. The field conditions present during the majority of the testing period can be summed up with one word - dry. For the first four months, I experienced little rain, with trails that were free of mud and standing water. During my last two months of testing, however, seasonal changes occurred that brought about cooler temperatures and precipitation that lasted for hours, if not days. With autumn in full swing the trails also became carpeted with leaves, which kept ground conditions wet even when clear skies were present. Daytime temperatures during the latter part of my testing usually hovered between 38 and 50 F (3 - 10 C), with mornings characterized by the presence of dew. The mild temperatures coupled with high levels of humidity meant wet conditions continued well into the afternoon. In fact, I often found myself wearing the oversocks continuously over my standard two pairs of hiking socks - a thin, Coolmax liner and a lightweight to midweight hiking sock. The cooler air and relatively high dew point temperature meant that, once my shoes became wet, they never really had an opportunity to dry out completely - hiking without the oversocks would translate into a march in cold, wet stockings. During the month of October, I would typically find myself on the trail early in the morning, sometimes before sunrise. Surface conditions were always wet with dew, and the narrow trails meant that my running shoes would be saturated within a few minutes of starting my hike. Needless to say, I made sure I was wearing the oversocks before leaving the trailhead and, for reasons mentioned above, never took them off. My days were anywhere from 10 to 20 miles in length (16 - 32 km), during which I never really noticed that I had an extra shell around my feet. Sliding Into the Oversocks: Trying to get my foot into the Rocky Oversocks when they were new required quite a bit of contortion on my part. The oversocks have very little stretch to them, and maneuvering them over the heel of my foot proved to be difficult. Over the course of a few days though, putting the oversocks on and taking them off became easier. In the end, I concluded that the oversocks aren't so much difficult to get into and out of. They simply provide a feeling that's different than that of other socks - a feeling that one must become accustomed to. Comfort: I found that the Rocky Oversocks were comfortable as long as the socks they covered had some pile to them. I found that a variety of socks - ranging from common cotton athletic socks to lightweight nylon hiking socks to thick wool expedition weight socks - wore well in combination with the Rocky Oversocks. However, thin nylon socks, such as Coolmax liner socks, simply didn't have the necessary thickness to keep me from feeling the bottom seam of the oversocks rubbing against the sole of my foot. The combination of sock that I settled on wearing underneath the Rocky Oversock involved pairing a thin Coolmax liner sock with a lightweight SmartWool hiking sock. This provided enough insulation for reasonable amounts of warmth while hiking in cold, wet conditions, while keeping the overall volume of my foot in line with the shoes I already owned.
Do the Oversocks Really Keep One's Feet Dry? In my Field report, I wrote about how water found its way into the Rocky Gore-Tex oversocks. This was due to my getting assaulted by waves of water that soaked through my pants and freely flowed down the length of my legs, eventually pushing their way between the cuff of the oversock and my calf. After this failure, I made sure to always pack raingear that would protect my lower legs - I wore either nylon rain pants, or a poncho combined with gaiters that extended up to my knees. Once the tops of the Rocky Oversocks were adequately protected, I no longer had any issues with water on the insides of the them. Of course, perspiration may cause things to get wet inside the oversocks as well. Fortunately, I didn't find this to be a concern. In temperatures between 60 and 70 F (15 - 21 C), I found that my feet were simply dry and comfortable inside the oversocks. In the 50 to 60 F range (10 - 15 C), my feet actually began to feel cool. When I wore the Rocky socks with wet shoes in temperatures below 50 F (10 C), conductive heat loss prevailed and my feet actually began to feel uncomfortably cold. As long as I was moving, there was little to complain about. Once in camp, however, I could definitely feel a nip in my toes, similar to what I typically feel in the wintertime when the insides of my boots become wet. At times, my feet were so cold that I was concerned that wet conditions existed inside the Gore-Tex socks. Upon close inspection, however, I found that my feet were relatively dry inside the oversocks, with nothing more than a "clammy" feeling due to a little surface perspiration on my foot mixed with cold temperatures. My liner socks - the layer next to my skin - weren't what I would consider wet or even damp, but my feet did feel damp to the touch, and they sure felt cold. After I completed my day's hike, I found it prudent to dry and warm my feet as soon as possible. On backpacking trips, I simply removed all of the socks I had been hiking in, put on my 200-weight fleece socks that I reserve for in-shelter use, and placed my feet into my sleeping bag for about five minutes. When dayhiking, I just made sure to have a fresh pair of shoes and socks to change into upon returning to my car. The manufacturer claims that the oversocks are highly breathable, allowing for perspiration to get out. I don't feel that temperatures during my testing period ever got high enough for my feet to sweat, and as a result I really wasn't able to test the "breathability" of the oversocks. Based on the conductive heat loss I experienced, I feel that the socks would do fine in warmer temperatures so long as wet conditions were also present. In the summer, my strategy would be to wear the Gore-Tex socks for as long as wet conditions continued. Afterwards, I would hike in the oversocks until my shoes dried a bit, and then I would take a lunch break, setting my shoes in an exposed and sunny spot to finish drying. After lunch, I could continue on my hike with dry shoes on my feet and the oversocks stowed in my pack.
Do the Rocky Gore-Tex Socks Continue to be Waterproof, Even When Dirty? It is well published that Gore-Tex is an effective water barrier as long as it is kept clean, with incidents of dirt particles getting into the material's pores opening passages where water can penetrate through. It just doesn't stand to reason that a Gore-Tex liner around the foot - arguably the area that comes into contact with the most amount of trail scum - would be able to function as a water barrier over the long haul. As much of my hiking was through wet, muddy trail, my shoes and the Rocky socks in them sure did see their fair share of dirt. While I could easily rinse the outsides of the Gore-Tex socks clean in any stream I passed, keeping my shoes clean proved to be an impossible task. The trails I was walking on were made of sand, and in places I was slogging through ankle deep mud. This insured that the Gore-Tex oversocks were constantly dirty. However, I never did experience any leakage.
After wearing them over a few hundred miles/km of trail, the only issue I have to report is that the stitching along the cuff of one of my oversocks has frayed. This will need to be sewed back into place; otherwise, the fray will expand until the cuff detaches from the sock. The insides of the socks are clean, and taped seams remain solid - I have not seen any evidence of mold developing on the oversocks. Care and Maintenance: Rocky recommends that customers wash the oversocks by hand in luke-warm or cold water using powdered detergent or soap. Rinse thoroughly, gently squeezing out the rinse water. DO NOT WRING. Air dry only. After hiking across many miles of muddy trails, I found that the outside walls of my Rocky Gore-Tex socks became covered with ground-in dirt. In an attempt to remove this dirt, I used an old, soft bristled toothbrush and gently scrubbed away at it. Once the oversocks dried, there were still areas on them that were stained with dirt, particularly around the heel. I didn't want to attack this dirt too aggressively for fear of damaging the waterproof nature of the Gore-Tex material. I did not find that this lingering dirt affected performance in any way. 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 > Long Term Report | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Durability: