Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Rocky Gore-Tex Socks > Kathleen Waters > Field Report

Field Report: Rocky Gore-Tex® Oversocks from Rocky Shoes & Boots Inc.

Contents:
Biographical Information
Product Information
Product Description
Field Conditions/Completed Tests Results
Summary to Date
Continued Test Plan

Name: Kathleen Waters
Age: 53
Gender: Female
Height: 5'4" (1.63 m)
Weight: 128 lbs (58 kg)
Shoe size: Women's 7
Email address: kathy@ring.com
City, State, Country: White Lake, MI USA

Backpacking Background: My husband and I started hiking in 1998 on a gorgeous fall day, starting with Mt. Hahn located just north of Steamboat Springs, CO.

Since then, we have returned to Colorado, mostly to the Vail Valley area twice a year, both summer/early fall and winter to play outdoors - we snowshoe in the winter.

When we are home in Southeast Michigan, we make it a point to hike 2 or 3 weekdays, usually 6 to 8 miles (10 to 13 km) and then one whole weekend day. Our weekday hikes generally take place in the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, which is a decent mixture of moderately steep hills and flat terrain, heavily wooded. Our weekend hikes can end up being anywhere!

8011 & 8013 Gore-Tex® Socks · "Guaranteed to keep you dry®," waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex® fabric
· Available in 11 inch (8011) or 13 inch (8013) models
· Intended to be worn over your regular socks
· Sizes 5-14 men's - regular width available
· Weight - Not listed
Suggested Retail US$51.95 (8011) or US$57.95 (8013)

· 8011 (11 inch model)
· Size 6 (men's)
· Black
· Weight 2.75 oz (78 g) - both Oversocks

The Rocky Gore-Tex® Oversocks were packaged in a hang-type cardboard box that is open halfway so that the Oversocks were visible and accessible to touch and feel. The packaging was printed with wearing instructions, including how to put the Oversocks on, washing instructions, general descriptions and feature highlights. Graphics included various activities the Oversocks can be used for as well as how Gore-Tex® works.

The Oversocks are manufactured with two types of fabric, a stretchy, soft Gore-Tex® material on the top of the foot and cuff and a non-stretchy stiffer Gore-Tex® material which covers the sole of the foot and continues up the side/back of the leg. The Oversock is constructed in 5 pieces - the sole, 2 side/back pieces (these were of the non-stretch fabric), the top/front piece and the cuff (these were of the stretch fabric). All seams, except for the cuff are sealed on the inside with Gore-Seam® tape. The Oversock is designed to be worn over regular socks and to be windproof and waterproof while maintaining breathability.

In May, 2004, I packed my Rocky Gore-Tex® Oversocks, along with my hiking boots, socks and sandals for a trip to Puerto Rico's famous El Yunque rainforest. There, for four days, I wore the Oversocks for 5 to 6 hours straight each day. On the fifth day, I wore the Oversocks while "beachcombing" on Puerto Rico's sandy/rocky south shore.

Conditions in the rainforest were, well, rainy! Temperatures ranged from 77 to 80 F (25 to 27 C) and the terrain was rather steep hills with mostly paved pathways. There were some hard packed dirt trails, but hiking in El Yunque is limited to the established trail system. Off-trail bushwhacking is prohibited and punishable by fine, not to mention poisonous plants, spiders, etc.

The first day out, I pulled on the Oversocks over my medium-weight hiking socks with a minimum of grunting and groaning while contorting my feet into position. I was pleased to feel how comfortable the Oversocks felt. There was no bunching or cramped toes. My feet did feel a bit warmer than I would have liked though which was probably due more to the tropical climate than the Oversocks!

I quickly forgot all about the Oversocks, getting lost in the beauty of the rainforest. It rained almost continuously and when it wasn't raining, the clouds were swirling right to the ground. It was wet! Because it was so warm, I didn't wear raingear, just a poncho during the hardest rainfalls. My pants were very wet from the knees down and my boots took a good soaking. Stream crossings were frequent but shallow, never going over the top of my boots. My feet remained dry throughout the entire day and the following three days, which were much like the first day.

On the fifth day however, I wore the Oversocks with my thinner sock liners and my waterproof Merrill hiking sandals. It was off to the beach and some serious beachcombing! It was a scorching 92 F (33 C) and sunny. For an hour or two, I swallowed my sense of fashion (pride) and waded about the surf and climbed on the rocks in my shorts and black "socks" and sandals. The Oversocks weren't nearly as comfortable with just the sock liners underneath as the previous days when I wore hiking socks. I could feel the seams. The Oversocks stayed dry through the first couple of tidal pools, but after a while I could feel wetness coming through on the bottom of the Oversock, probably from the puddling of water between the sandal and the Oversock. Once the first wave caught me unaware, my feet were soaked through. Water easily entered the Oversock from the top.

I rinsed off the Oversocks in Puerto Rico after the encounter with the Caribbean Sea using cold water and throwing them over a chair to air dry. They were completely dry the next morning. When I got home, I threw the Oversocks into the washing machine on delicate with cold water and my regular powdered detergent. The instructions (which I read AFTER I washed them) indicates the Oversocks should be HAND washed, however. Again, I allowed them to be air dried.

Other tests have been conducted while hiking in my usual haunts in Pontiac Lake Recreation Area on dirt trails and on the beach. I've found that the Oversocks work well for the occasional puddle and shallow stream, but not for sustained or deep water navigation.

The Oversocks are in excellent condition after approximately 40 hours of wear. There are no signs of wear or stretching out. The seams remain completely intact.

The Oversocks are a neat additional layer of waterproof protection for average wet conditions. The Oversocks coupled with waterproof boots will keep me dry during most rainy hikes and while crossing shallow streams and puddles. After the initial learning curve of putting them on and off, the Oversocks are easy to use and take up minimal space in my backpack and I will pack them if room is not a consideration. However, the Oversocks aren't as useful as I thought they would be.

Most of my testing will continue to be right here in southeast Michigan in local state parks and recreation areas, particularly Pontiac Lake Recreation Area in Waterford, Michigan. The trails here are moderately hilly through hardwood forests, meadows and on sandy lakeshores. Elevation barely tops out at 1000' (305 m) and the temperatures will most likely range from 30 to 80 F (-1 to 27 C) over the next couple of months.

I will continue to thoroughly test the Rocky Gore-Tex® Oversocks under various conditions and terrains and with various footwear to determine comfort, wearability, and extent of waterproofing and durability. I will be wearing them 2-4 times weekly for periods of 2-9 hours.

After continued use (and washing/drying), will the Oversock shrink or stretch out? Do the tops of the Oversocks stay put after activity or do they slide down? How well do the Oversocks hold up after weeks of boot and sandal wear? Are there wear spots on the heel or toes? Are there "pills"? Can the Oversocks be worn 3 seasons or 4?

Reviews > Clothing > Socks > Rocky Gore-Tex Socks > Kathleen Waters > Field Report