Report Date: August 27, 2002

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

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

Manufactured by Danalco http://www.danalco.com

Tester Bio:

Name: Bill Baldwin

Email: bill.baldwin@bigfoot.com

Height: 6’00"

Weight: 170#

Age: 41

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.  I have been converting to lightweight backpacking and have given up hiking in my big heavy boots in favor of New Balance 805’s.  Since I have shifted to the New Balance shoes, I needed something to keep my feet dry when hiking/backpacking in the rain and mud.

Testing Location: Texas and Arkansas.  Temperatures ranged from 60*F at night to 90+*F during the day.  Humidity ranges were similar – 60% - 90+%

Long Term Test Report:

One of the purposes of the long term report is to determine how the item is holding up over the past 6 months.  I am happy to report that the SealSkinz Over the Calf Socks and Gloves have shown no significant wear during my use.  I must qualify this statement to indicate that I have also not worn the socks and gloves every day for multiple weeks.  I have worn them on multiple day hikes and extended hikes.  On warm and humid days on the trail, I would leave the socks and gloves in my backpack and only put them on if it started raining or we were crossing water.  This may sound like a tedious exercise in stopping, putting on SealSkinz socks, fording water, then removing them, but when it is hot and humid, the socks will retain heat and become uncomfortable.  This method also works great when the water you are traversing has a mud or silt bottom.  I was attempting to cross a river in Arkansas that had a mossy rock bottom with only the SealSkinz socks (no shoes) and had quite an adventure.  The socks kept my feet dry, but the footing was treacherous.  This is not something the socks were designed for.  As I mentioned in my field test report, if the water goes up over the elastic that holds the socks up and to your calves, water will get into the sock and get your feet wet.  The socks do dry fairly quickly.

The SealSkinz gloves have also remained watertight and have held up well.  I have used the gloves to keep my hands dry as part of my rain gear (Frogg Toggs) and in this capacity they have excelled (especially since the Frogg Toggs have no place to put your hands).  I have also used these gloves in a work situation on a trail and even though we were clearing briar, the gloves suffered no punctures and still remain watertight.  The rubberized dimples in the palms and under the fingers do help with grip and have shown no wear.  When used to grab rainbow trout from a cold stream, they help in holding the fish.

Conclusion:

These socks and gloves are very well made and very tough.  Though they will retain heat and sweat during warm weather, they are an excellent part of my rain gear and have been a great compliment to my Frogg Toggs.  Throughout these past 6 months, the SealSkinz socks and gloves have been in situations that I thought would have punctured or torn them.  I am happy to report that they have remained in perfect condition and are still watertight.  I would happily recommend this product.

Thanks to Danalco and BGT for allowing me to test a wonderful product.