Waterproof Socks

[Mel]

Thanks again all for the replies and suggestions of alternatives to Sealskinz 


Just to confirm... I'm asking about waterproof socks because I cannot find any leather/nubuck/suede shoes of a sensible price or fit so I am looking to fabric shoes of which I have little/no faith in their water-repelling qualities - hence the question about waterproof socks.


I cannot wear boots because the ankle cuff aggravates my damaged achilles tendon.


My current suede/nubuck shoes are incredibly waterproof and I'm only having to replace them because I've worn them out     


If I can find a suitably priced and comfortable shoes that ARE waterproof then I won't be wanting waterproof socks 

[Requiem]

The only waterproof socks I've ever used that were genuinely Waterproof are the Dexshell Bamboo ones - The waterproof layer seems to stretch with the sock similar to neoprene so there's no baggy parts to nick and rub and eventually allow water ingress - whereas every pair of Sealskinz I've had leaked from day one.


If you shop around I often see Dexshells at a significantly lower price than SealSkins as well


Roy

[kinkyboots]

Mel

Much depends on what your definition of a "sensible price" is and the size you need?

I'm sure you've already realised that quality leather walking shoes or boots from any of the well known brands are not cheap and a lot of the budget brands are poor quality.

These might be worth a closer look if they have your size available.

https://www.blacks.co.uk/womens/211463-oboz-women-s-sawtooth-waterproof-walking-shoe-light-blue.html/628021/
https://www.ultimateoutdoors.com/womens/211463-oboz-women-s-sawtooth-waterproof-walking-shoe-light-blue.html/628021/
https://www.millets.co.uk/womens/211463-oboz-womens-sawtooth-low-walking-shoe.html/628021/
https://www.nevisport.com/oboz-womens-sawtooth-low-bdry

or these for under £80

https://www.nevisport.com/bridger-low-w-bdry-oboz-111
http://www.trekoutdoors.co.uk/oboz-womens-bridger-low-bdry-waterproof-walking-shoes/

As usual Go Outdoors and Mountain Warehouse may also be worth checking out if you haven't already.
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/womens/footwear/multisport-trail
https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/footwear/walking-shoes/womens-walking-shoes/

[Doddy]

I have several thicknesses of Sealskins socks for biking, hiking and running never really been happy with them, either staining your toes or being cold. I now have some Otter socks which are better. I  have for really wet times some Swiss socks Stefaneso. It has to be very deep snow for me to wear my Brasher boots.

[Ralph]

Mel,
I highly recommend Oboz footwear beit boots or shoes. I have a pair of each both of which are fabric, they are waterproof as claimed by Oboz. Ultimate Outdoors do some really good offers on them, I only paid £60 for my Sawtooth shoes after discounts.

[Mel]

(At the risk of hijacking my own topic    )


Kinkyboots - I'm looking for a replacement for these exactly these.  I'm toying with buying those seeing as I "know" they fit and are totally waterproof and brilliant for my feet.  I'm hesitant because it's Amazon and a seemingly un-researchable seller     I can't find the same ones as those anywhere else on t'interweb or in a real-life shop.  I bought my current Meindls ( those ^^^^ ) from Cotswold Outdoors in Keswick 2(ish) years ago in an end of line sale.


I'm basically looking for a general/3 season walking shoe with a narrow heel and wide forefoot in a size 5.  Ideally, all leather/nubuck/suede, less ideally, fabric.  Ideally, a muted "nature" colour (none of this luminous pink/green/orange nonsense). Absolutely maximum price of £100.


Your mission, should you decide to accept it .......        


Ralph - I would need to try those Oboz shoes on before I bought some.  Do you know of any "real life" shops where they are sold?


Okay, now back on topic    ...


I'm liking the sound of those Dexshell socks in preference to Sealskinz to be honest.  Thanks to all that have suggested them 


I'm guessing there comes a point where I just need to buy some, try them and see what I think.  If nowt else I could wear them with my all mesh trail trainers locally cos they're brilliant grip in the gooey mud round me but my toes get a mudbath 

[Ralph]

Mel,
I live in Notts where we have a branch, don't know how widespread the stores are but I know that they are part of Black's. Perhaps they maybe able to help if you have a local branch. Sorry can't help more.

[Mel]

Nope.  Blacks is good.  There's a couple of shops in town so I'll go and have a try on when I get chance to get in town.  Cheers 

[Strider]

Are these the same shoes Mel?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meindl-Nebraska-Womens-Hiking-Boots-trekking-shoes-Outdoor-Shoes-Loafers-New/173274753443?epid=2161429262&hash=item2857fae9a3:m:mTfaw0EAv96i5ANZef_dJaQ:rk:4:pf:1&frcectupt=true

from Germany but lots of +ve feedback

[Mel]

They are 


They have 7 pairs left in my size.... I might buy them all 

[bricam2096]

They are 


They have 7 pairs left in my size.... I might buy them all 

Have you won the lottery? 

If so, I always said that you were a lovely person, lol

[BuzyG]

Had to laugh at the price of some of the socks above.  As an ex surfer I used to wear waterproof socks a lot.  Take a look at the selection available just on Amozon.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Phantom-Aquatics-3mm-Neoprene-Socks/dp/B005A7GKEI


I have walked miles in such cheap and cheerful socks, without any trouble or wet feet in years gone by.  I'm sure the price of walking socks will be far more sensible once a few more manufactures come to market.

[kinkyboots]

Mel

The Meindl Nebraska Lady are obviously end of line which is why they are very hard to find. I think you made a wise decision avoiding that amazon seller. The eBay link already provided by Strider is probably the best place to buy them.

The nearest I can get to a similar replacement shoe are the Oboz Women’s Bridger Low BDry (walnut) or the Oboz Women’s Sawtooth Low BDry (violet). The nubuck leather on both will darken considerably should you decide to wax them.

For trying on purposes either Blacks, Millets or Ultimate Outdoors are your best bet as they show stock of Size 5 in both although the Oboz Women’s Sawtooth Low BDry is in blue.

For buying Size 5 online they are available from these links

Oboz Women’s Bridger Low BDry (walnut) in Size 5 @ £60 (£75 less 20% using code SALE20 at checkout) https://www.blacks.co.uk/footwear/287757-oboz-women-s-bridger-low-walking-shoes-brown.html

Oboz Women’s Sawtooth Low BDry (listed as Violet - but mainly brown) in Size 5 @ £77 https://www.nevisport.com/oboz-womens-sawtooth-low-bdry


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QXZoqCzb34


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SBsWqw16bM

[richardh1905]

I cannot wear boots because the ankle cuff aggravates my damaged achilles tendon.

Sorry to hear that, Mel.


As mentioned in my earlier post, some boots nowadays have ankle cuffs cut VERY low at the rear. I spotted some in Millets recently.


https://www.millets.co.uk/footwear/

[gunwharfman]

I've never tried waterproof socks but I've had wet feet before. I find it useful to carry a pair or two of old trainer inserts and a pair of thin socks as well. I always have Sorbothane inserts in my boots so I change my socks for the thin dry ones, place the dry inserts on top of the Sorbothanes and my feet are at least on a dry base. Not a perfect solution but it sure makes the feet feel normal again. The only downside maybe, is that without a pair of thin socks on, your feet might feel too tight in the boots.