Long Term Report: Rocky Gore-Tex® Oversocks from Rocky Shoes & Boots Inc.
8 November 2004
Contents:
Biographical Information
Product Information
Field Conditions/Completed Tests Results
Summary
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.
At 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!
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
Field Use/Conditions
Over the past 6 months for approximately 40 hours and a total of 100 miles (161 km) or so, I have tested my Rocky Gore-Tex® Oversocks in all kinds of weather. Hot and sunny, cool and misty and downright pouring rain! Except for a trip to Puerto Rico in May, the field conditions were limited to southeast Michigan where the terrain varied from level and sandy beaches to moderately hilly and hard packed dirt trails. The temperatures in Michigan ranged from 30 to 80 F (-1 to 27 C). In Puerto Rico, temperatures ranged from 77 to 80 F (25 to 27 C) and the terrain was rather steep hills with mostly paved pathways and some beachcombing thrown in for good measure.
On all occasions, the Oversocks have performed as advertised and no flaws, tears or problems have developed in the course of this test. The Oversocks have held up admirably to the "tugging" required to get them on and off my feet. The cuffs have not stretched out, nor have the seams shown any signs of separating. There has been no pilling.
The Oversocks did not stop water entering from an errant "wave" breaking over the top of the socks, nor from an over-the-top-of-the-Oversocks stream fording. The cuffs are not tight enough nor skin-hugging enough to do so (my circulation would probably suffer if the cuffs were tight enough!). The Oversocks did protect my feet in most other wet conditions and kept my regular hiking socks dry when others in my group were complaining about wet feet.
Summary
Pros:
1.) The Rocky Gore-Tex® Oversocks are advertised as "water-proof" and they live up to their advertising.
2.) The Oversocks plus hiking sandals take up a lot less room in the backpack than regular waterproof hiking boots and are a good substitute for boots.
3.) The Oversocks can be rinsed out on the trail and dry overnight so gross backpackers' foot "odor" is minimized.
4.) The construction is excellent and looks to be very long lasting.
Cons:
1.) The Gore-Tex® material is very stiff which makes the Oversocks difficult to put on and take off.
2.) The Oversocks' seams require a thick hiking sock underneath making for some warm conditions in the summertime weather. Most likely this would not be a "con", but a "pro" in the winter.
3.) Water can and does seep into the Oversocks over the cuffs. I tested the 11" Oversocks which weren't that much higher on my leg than my waterproof hiking boots. The 13" version would be a better choice, I think, so that higher streams could be negotiated without soaking.
Thank you for allowing me to test the Rocky Gore-Tex® Oversocks and for your time and consideration.
Kathleen Waters
Read more reviews of Rocky Shoes and Boots gear
Read more gear reviews by Kathleen Waters
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