Initial Report: Rocky Gore-Tex® Oversocks from Rocky Shoes & Boots Inc.
12 May 2004
Contents:
Biographical Information
Product Information
Arrival Information
First Impressions
Test Plan
Tester Biographical Information
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!
We are planning to start overnight backpacking soon.
Product Information (from website)
http://www.rockyboots.com
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)
Product Information (test item)
· 8011 (11 inch model)
· Size 6 (men's)
· Black
· Weight 2.75 oz (78 g) - both Oversocks
Arrival
The Rocky Gore-Tex® Oversocks arrived in a padded envelope via USPS on March 12, 2004. The packaging consisted of a hang-type cardboard box that is open halfway so that the Oversocks were visible and accessible to touch and feel. The Oversocks were attached to the box via a plastic tab holder. 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 Rocky Gore-Tex® OverSocks that arrived on March 12, 2004 were size 5. The Oversocks are "men's" sizes and usually my women's size 7 converts to a men's size 5. However, it was immediately obvious to me that the size 5 was too small. I was able to get the size 5 on, but not with a hiking sock underneath. The Rocky Boots website does not have a conversion chart which might have prevented this problem.
On April 19, replacement size 6 socks arrived and the size 5 were returned.
First Impressions
The Rocky Boots website was not very helpful for product information. When I visited the website, merchandise was not sold via the website so there were no detail descriptions to consult. The Rocky Gore-Tex® Oversocks packaging however was completely covered with everything one needs to know about the product.
The Oversocks when removed from the packaging were rather stiff. The Oversocks were 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. There was a small tag on the outside of the cuff, one side which has the Rocky logo. The other side of the tag has the washing instructions and indicated that the product was assembled in the Dominican Republic. The Oversock was 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 were sealed on the inside with Gore-Seam® tape. I saw no loose seams or threads.
Following the instructions on the packaging, I put on the Oversocks for the first time, struggling mightily to ease the stiff non-stretch sole and heel over my feet. The instructions warn about "wrenching or sudden jerking motions" damaging the waterproof life span of the Oversocks. After some effort, I was able to wiggle my feet into the Oversocks. I wore them over a pair of lightweight hiking socks. With the Oversocks on, my feet slid easily into my hiking boots and off I went!
Test Plan
We are hoping to start overnight backpacking this summer. We have a trip planned to the Puerto Rico in May 2004 and one tentatively planned to Colorado in August 2004 (or maybe September). And as a matter of routine, I hike 6 to 8 miles (10 to 13 km) 2 or 3 times a week with one weekend all-day hike.
On my trip in May, the terrain will vary considerably from heavy underbrush in the damp rainforests of Puerto Rico to its sandy and rocky beaches. I expect a fairly primitive trail system and lots of stream crossing in the rainforests. Temperatures will be around 80 F (27 C) and the climate will be humid. May is the beginning of the Puerto Rican rainy season, so I can expect at least some of my hikes to be very wet!
In Colorado, the elevations will range from 8120' (2475 m) to 14,443' (4402 m) - still gotta bag Mt Elbert! The trails will be primarily well traveled and packed through alpine forests, above the tree-line rock fields and possibly into snow at the highest elevations. At this planned time of year, there will most likely not be much stream fording while hiking, but I will be spending some time gold panning which involves more than enough time standing in the icy cold waters of Colorado! Temperatures should be 45 to 70 F (7 to 21 C).
Most of my testing will 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. Since we have had an abundance of snow this year, the trails are still snowy, slushy, muddy and mushy - feet get wet - and this is likely to continue for several months yet. 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 be thoroughly testing the Rocky Gore-Tex® Oversocks under various climates, conditions, and terrains and with various footwear to determine fit, comfort, wearability, and extent of waterproofing and durability. I will be wearing them 2-4 times weekly for periods of 2-9 hours. Some of the questions that I will answer are:
Do the Oversocks fit comfortably without shoes, with everyday walking/running shoes, with both my summer and winter hiking boots, with sandals?
Do the seams bunch or rub?
Is there just enough "wiggle" room or do toes get scrunched or is there too much sock?
Does the top of the Oversock end at a comfortable length or is it too short or too long?
Do the tops of the Oversocks stay put after activity or do they slide down?
Are the Oversocks heavy/bulky?
Are the Oversocks warm? Can they be warm 3 season or 4? At night?
Do the Oversocks keep my feet dry in snow, rain, while fording streams or standing in them? How about walking the beach in sandals?
Do the Oversocks wick out perspiration?
How well do the Oversocks dry out after washing/getting thoroughly wet?
Can I wash them out at night and wear them the next morning?
How well do the Oversocks resist odor? Do they reek when damp or wet?
Also, how well do the Oversocks wear after weeks of boot and sandal wear?
Do the Oversocks snag and pull easily on underbrush or rocks?
Are there wear spots on the heel or toes?
Did the Oversock shrink or stretch out?
Are there "pills"?
Read more reviews of Rocky Shoes and Boots gear
Read more gear reviews by Kathleen Waters
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