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SealSkinz® ChillBLOCKER™
Socks
Initial Report by Rick Allnutt
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Danalco, Inc.
Year Manufactured: 2004
Manufacturer's Link: Danalco
MSRP: $49.95
Size: Large
Color: Black
Listed Weight: NA
Measured Weight: 4.8 oz (135 gm)
Review Date: 2 March 2004
PERSONAL BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Rick
Allnutt
50 Year old male
6' 0'' (183 cm) in height
198 lb (90 kg) in
weight
Shoe size: 11 US
Email address: ra1 (at) imrisk (dot) com
I live in Dayton,
Ohio
BACKPACKING BACKGROUND
Over the last
18 months, I have gone from being a heavy-weight (2 Duluth Pack) canoe camper to
a three-season base pack weight of about 9 lb (4 kg) and skin out weight of 20
lb (9 kg). I have completed 5 ultralight section hikes on the AT with a total
mileage of over 200 miles (322 km). I am an ultralight hiker, a gearhead, a
hammock camper, and make much of my own equipment.
REVIEW
The socks arrived in a small, clear package. The size of the socks is
clearly marked on a piece of card inside the package. The size of the
gloves is also knit into the material of the top of each sock. Mine read,
"SealSkinz®, LARGE, USA." In addition, on one of the socks, a SealSkinz label
has been welded to the knit fabric, over the ankle-bone portion of the sock.
The Danalco web site includes clever JAVA programming, and is easy to navigate.
The socks, as received, were much like I had expected. However, the fleece
lining was thinner than I had expected, and the sock does not seem to be much
thicker than other, non-lined SealSkinz products I have bought in the past.
The information on sizing on the Danalco site worked well to give me a pair of
socks just the right size.
The outside surface of the sock consists of a knit fabric. Under this, in
bright light, a shiny membrane can be seen through the knit. The cuff of
the sock is made of elastic material and does not appear to be waterproof.
The sock is not intended to be submersed with its top below water level.
The top of the waterproof layer of the sock is about 8 in (20 cm) from the
ground. I imagine that walking through 4 in (10 cm) deep water is about
all that I will try with the socks. Anything deeper, and waves caused by
walking may splash over the top of the socks.
The inside surface of the socks is covered with a thin layer of fleece. A
welded seam between the left and right halves of each sock can be seen on the
inside surface. This seam does not feel uncomfortable under the sole of my
foot.
The socks fit my feet well and seem very comfortable.
My first test of waterproof socks is to put my feet under water. I used a
bucket of cold water, filled about 2/3 the height of each sock. I placed
each of my feet in the bucket for about a minute. There was no sensation
of wetness inside either sock and I am satisfied that the socks are waterproof.
The outside, knit surface of the socks absorbs a fair amount of water. It
took overnight to completely air dry the outside of the socks. I then
turned the socks inside out to briefly dry the inside of the socks.
Even though the socks are breathable, it seems that a small residual of moisture
from foot sweat will not dry unless the sock is turned inside out. This may be
because pushing the water vapor through the sock requires my foot for a heat
source.
TEST PLAN
I will use the socks for cold rainy weather,
especially with my hiking sandals. Early spring dew on grass may be cause
to pull the socks out of the pack to avoid wet skin that can lead to blisters.
The items important to me for evaluation of the socks include:
- overall comfort - feels good to my skin
- feel of the socks in shoes and in sandals
- do they keep me warm?
- do they keep me dry?
- do they breathe and let moisture escape?
- what kind of socks (if any) works best inside the SealSkinz socks?
Read more reviews of SealSkinz gear
Read more gear reviews by Rick Allnutt
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