SPECIFICATIONS

The Rocky Gore-Tex Oversocks are manufactured by Rocky Boots

Web: http://www.rockyboots.com

Year of Manufacture: 2004
MSRP: U.S. $51.95 (Model 8011) or $57.95 (Model 8013)

LISTED WEIGHT:   None Listed
LISTED SIZE:          Varies.  Available in men's sizes 5-14 regular width.  Model 8011 is 11 inches (28 cm) tall and model 8013 is 13 inches (33 cm) tall.  (Model 8011 is reflected in this report.)

TESTED WEIGHT:  1.4 oz (39.7 g) each sock.  2.8 oz (79.4 g) per pair.
TESTED SIZE:         My shoe size is 10 1/2 EEEE.  At first I tried a size 10, but had to exchange for a size 11.  

FIELD USE

FIELD USE CONDITIONS

I wore the Rocky Gore-Tex Socks under several conditions in all sorts of weather.  Terrain was variable, and included river sandbars, stream beds, the Mississippi river batture, swamps, bottomland hardwoods, and rolling hills.  I used the Rocky Gore-Tex Socks in weather conditions ranging from clear and cool to hot and stormy.

I have worn the Rocky Gore-Tex Socks on several occasions, and I have about 90 miles (145 km) in them now.  I have very little to add that was not covered in the Field Report, and I fear that this will be the shortest report I have ever filed.  I have experienced no failures, and the socks perform as advertised.  

I noted in the Field Report that the cuffs are not water proof.  I was unsure if this is a fault of the cuff, or of my hairy legs.  In the interest of finding out, I shaved my legs and I can safely report that the cuffs are not water proof.  Rain water will run down into the socks, and if I step into water that is deeper than the cuff is high, then water will flood the socks.  I don't actually consider this a problem.  The Rocky Gore-Tex Socks aren't designed to go swimming in, after all.  If I were going to enter an aqueous environment I would wear something else.  Of course, an accidental slip into water or mud deeper than the sock is tall will require stopping to drain them out.  

For walking around in the perpetually wet conditions of the Gulf South, I have found the Rocky Gore-Tex Socks to be a valuable addition to my gear.  I wish that the weather had gotten colder sooner so that I could report on cold weather performance, but, alas, Mother Nature did not cooperate in this regard.

Washing the socks by hand proved to be a little tedious, and I have taken to washing them inside-out with mild soap on the delicates cycle of my washing machine.  This has proven successful so far, and has caused no harm to the socks.  

SUMMARY

THINGS I LIKE

1.  Guaranteed waterproof, and they are waterproof within certain parameters.
2.  Good fit once I got the right size.
3.  Quality construction.

THINGS I DON'T LIKE

1.  Heavy, rough interior seams - but they never caused me any trouble.
2.  Cuffs do not prevent rain from seeping down my leg and into the sock.

***

Thank you for your time.

Shane Steinkamp
shane@theplacewithnoname.com 
www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking