Product tested: SealSkinz Gloves (size L) 3.1 oz. and

SealSkinz Over the Calf (15") socks (size L) 5.2 oz.

Manufactured by Danalco www.danalco.com

Tester Bio:

Name: Bill Baldwin mailto: bill.baldwin@bigfoot.com

Height: 6’00"

Weight: 170#

Age: 41

Area tested: Dallas, TX

I have been backpacking, hiking, camping, and canoeing in Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Colorado for 10+ years as a Boy Scout and now as a leader. I am an avid outdoorsman that enjoys hunting and fishing.

The SealSkinz socks and gloves arrived in my mailbox on Friday 03/01. They were shipped in a white Tyvek package with a return address of Danalco. The socks and gloves were packaged in individual zip lock bags with product literature. The product literature for the socks gives a size chart on the back based on shoe size. Although I have a size 9 ½ foot, I ordered the large socks for size 10-11. The Danalco web site gives instructions for determining the proper size to order gloves, and notes that glove sizes are usually the same as sock sizes. The product literature for the gloves does not give these sizing instructions.

Initial Impression:

Taking the gloves and socks from their bags, it appears that they are well made and water tight with no light appearing in the seams. The gloves do not have the seam sown into the fingers that rub against your finger tips. Likewise, the socks have all seams well sewn and would not provide anything to rub against toes. The inside of the socks have the SealSkinz name, size and USA embroidered in the lining with no stitching piercing the outer lining. Slipping on the gloves provided a nice tight fit with a somewhat loose palm. The fingers fit nicely and were snug. This could pose a problem if I were to wear a wool glove inside the SealSkinz.

Initial Test:

Saturday March 2^nd in Dallas provided a sleet storm that covered the area. I used this opportunity to test the socks. The product literature for the socks provides a note about liner socks (they recommend Wigwam Liner Socks Style F2161). Although I don’t have this brand of liner sock, I used my liners and the socks fit over them nicely without pulling my liners too tight. The socks provided some warmth and were watertight as I played and stomped in the melting sleet puddles. My NB804’s were wet, but my feet remained dry. I continued to wear the socks throughout the day and noted at the end of the day that my liners were damp from foot persperation but not unusually so.

Further tests:

I plan to test the socks in my backpacking, hiking, and camping outings to determine:

If the socks retain foot odor

If the gloves retain odor from handling fish

How the gloves (with the rubber dimples) perform handling fish

How the socks and gloves perform when submersed above the cuff

How the socks perform during all day hiking

How the socks and gloves retain warmth

Thank you for allowing me to test the SealSkinz socks and gloves.

Bill Baldwin