How do Sealskinz Waterproof Socks work?Updated 2 months ago

Even though the waterproof sock is what brought SealSkinz to life over 20 years ago, one of the main questions we get asked by customers, friends, family - maybe even our mums, is ‘what exactly is a waterproof sock?’

Whilst the notion of the concept is baked into the actual name - it’s, uh, a waterproof sock - the sheer novelty behind such a product almost gets lost because it seems like it can’t be true. Why? Most likely because we have come to terms with the fact that if our socked feet get exposed to a puddle, rain, mud, etc., we will get soaked and we will just be miserable.

 And we accept this. Which is quite ludicrous. 

This does not have to be the case. With a waterproof sock like SealSkinz, your feet are fully protected (spoiler alert - from more than just water,) and you don’t have to blink an eye when a grey cloud opens up above you or your dog pulls so hard that all of a sudden that you can’t avoid a puddle.

WATERPROOF SOCK CONSTRUCTION

When creating a waterproof sock you need the inner, next-to-skin, layer to be soft and cosy against your skin. The middle layer is the waterproof membrane. It needs to be breathable yet also keep water from hitting that inner layer and reaching your foot. Then there is the outer layer that is exposed to the elements. This layer’s job is to protect you from everything you’d encounter on your adventure, not just rain. So, it has to be durable, comfortable, and provide a great deal of stretch.  

WATERPROOF SOCK MEMBRANE

Waterproof socks are very different from other waterproof products you might have around. For example, this isn’t a sock with a GORE-TEX coating. Whilst that application is incredible for boots and jackets, it doesn’t breathe the way you need a sock to breathe and would be a less than ideal fabrication.

Instead, we use something called a Hydrophilic Membrane. We won't get into the weeds here, but instead, let’s do the quickest overview of what this type of membrane is all about. 

THE QUICKEST SCIENCE LESSON ABOUT WATERPROOF SOCKS

So the not-so-boring details are that this membrane actually loves water. It even means water-loving in Greek (hydro - water, philos - love). The cool thing is that this particular type of membrane keeps water from getting in yet it also allows it to get out. 

It stops water droplets (rain, puddles, even mud) from penetrating the sock and reaching your foot…however, it also pushes water vapour (sweat) from inside your sock out into the atmosphere. The end result? You’re properly comfortable, dry, and warm from both the outside as well as the inside.