I've been reading the "Wet-footing in May" thread and I'll be heading in on May 23. I'm not sure how cold the water will be and I usually wet-foot with some wool socks and a pair of Merrill Moab mids. I'm interested in hearing what people think about using a pair of knee high water-proof socks (neoprene or something similar) to perhaps make wet-footing more pleasant during cold water times. Is it worth the hassle, especially when it comes to drying them out, or should I just stick to my current method and deal with cold feet? Obviously, I change socks and shoes when I get to camp.

Ours were still a bit wet when pulling them for the next morning's travel, but not bad once getting them on. (Think wet swim suit.) Felt better than wet wool socks, anyway.

We got these on Amazon. I wear a size 10 and got the size L. My wife wears a size 7 and got the size S.

My buddy used knee high seal skins last year and loved them. Just put them on in the morning, slide them into you wet hiking boots and you’ll never know the difference.

I use DexShell Waterproof Wading Socks. Knee-high, fast-drying and comfortable.

I used neoprene socks on a NW Ontario trip in September 2007. After several days I went with heavy wool socks and have wet footed that way since then in the BW and NW Ontario in May right after ice out into late October and never found it that uncomfortable. I gave the neoprene socks away after never feeling the need to use them again.

Even ankle high neoprene socks will be a lot warmer than wool socks. Whatever waterproof socks you get, try them out first. If they don’t fit right, it can be rough on your feet for long portages. Also, if they’re too tight, the tall ones can be hard to get on and off.

After more than 60 trips to the wilderness, I can only beg you to buy a pair of rubber boots.
Either cheap ones or nice ones. Waterproof socks mean drenched shoes or boots that will not dry out until well after you return home. (I use wool socks most of the time but they never ever get wet. If they get sweaty I put on new socks).Keep a pair of plain old sneakers on top of your pack and switch them out with the the boots depending on what you are doing.

Dry feet= a happy camper.

Keep everything dry all the time. Boots, tent, sleeping bag, clothes. When stuff gets wet, try to get it dry again weather permitting.

Tom

I wear Sealskinz going in with my Solomon Jungle boots, and then have a spare pair of lighter comfort shoes for around camp. They work great. I used to wear Muck boots but on longer haul portages and walking like Frankenstein I really worked my Achilles heel so I switched. Best decision ever. I wear a thinner smart wool sock under the Sealskinz as well.

My experience with Sealskinz socks a few years ago was not good - they did not remain anywhere near waterproof for more than a day or two.

preacherdave: "My buddy used knee high seal skins last year and loved them. Just put them on in the morning, slide them into you wet hiking boots and you’ll never know the difference."

+1. If you can slide them off correctly without bursting any of the cells in the toes and heels, they should be dry inside the next morning AND stay waterproof. It's easier said than done and Boonie's experience is not atypical. Of course, if it's one of those rain-soaker days, all bets are off! You just make do as best as you can to keep your feet dry :).

They are definitely worth the money though.

tumblehome: "

Dry feet= a happy camper.

Keep everything dry all the time. Boots, tent, sleeping bag, clothes. When stuff gets wet, try to get it dry again weather permitting.

Tom"

Respectfully sharing a different opinion...I wet foot with a polypropylene liner under my smartwool socks and Merrell water shoes and my feet FEEL dry within seconds of stepping out of the lake into the canoe. In May I would probably bring a second pair of shoes 1/2 size bigger and double up on smartwools.

When I took an early trip, I took neoprene socks for tripping and wet footed. Changed to wool socks in camp.

I'll add that the NRS neoprene socks (Boundary Socks) I used worked much better. I don't mind wet feet, but cold feet is another story, and there's a lot of personal variance there. I'm older and circulation is definitely not as good.

Neoprene sox with super thin liner sox and below the knee gaiters. I like the gaiters because they help keep my calves warm and no wet floppy pant legs collecting mud on the portages. Wool sox at camp.

I've had good experiences with NRS wet socks.

boonie: "I'll add that the NRS neoprene socks (Boundary Socks) I used worked much better. I don't mind wet feet, but cold feet is another story, and there's a lot of personal variance there. I'm older and circulation is definitely not as good. "

Boonie:

Do you wear wool socks under the Boundary Socks? I'm not sure if that's possible (or practical).

Yes, I wear a thin knee-high sock (Smartwool/Darn Tough) underneath. The socks are waterproof and 3mm thick.

Last year I bought a pair of closeout (old model) Boundary Boots. Basically a boot version of the sock, only 5mm and waterproof with a sole, which could be a little thicker (I think new model may be). I put one of my after market insoles in and wore with wool socks. I sized up one size. They worked well for me - my feet stayed dry and warm.

I’ve also been looking at Boundary Boots as a possible option, the newer version seems to have some improvements. Of course, that would mean acquiring more gear (oh no!).

I went a week after ice out. Polypropylene socks, Sealskins next, pair of wool socks over the top. Polypropylene keep the moisture off your skin, Sealskins work like a thin neoprene.....they are not as waterproof as people think but they hold in heat. Wool outer pair buffers it all and adds warmth. I too use gaiters to avoid the floppy, muddy cuffs. The neoprene socks are too tight for me and tall rubber boots are just too clunky for me on portages. I wear Merrell vent Moabs.
System works for me.

I use OTB Abyss II boots regardless of the time of year. And I always use smartwool socks to help keep my feet warmer. So far, no issues (have not gone in before May 15 or after October 15). And, yes as stated above, my boots never dry out completely the entire trip. But I do have camp shoes that I put on after a days tripping.

I'm with Boonie. My wife and I tried Sealskins and they leaked like a sieve from day 1. I had a friend that wore them on a trip with me, brand new. He said they are about as waterproof as a pair of wool socks. If you look at the plastic waterproof layer in the upper part, it's thinner than a cheap sandwich bag. I have knee high NRS neoprene socks and Merrell draining shoes and love them both. I'm lighter on my feet on long portages and feel I have a little ankle protection from the tall neoprene socks.

Voyager: "I'm with Boonie. My wife and I tried Sealskins and they leaked like a sieve from day 1. I had a friend that wore them on a trip with me, brand new. He said they are about as waterproof as a pair of wool socks. If you look at the plastic waterproof layer in the upper part, it's thinner than a cheap sandwich bag. I have knee high NRS neoprene socks and Merrell draining shoes and love them both. I'm lighter on my feet on long portages and feel I have a little ankle protection from the tall neoprene socks."

Voyager that is very interesting. I’ve used my SS now for a half dozen trips and have stayed dry as a ham bone. Were they knee-high as well?

I'll say that mine didn't leak because I topped them. They were tall and I never came close. I'm glad you had a better experience. Maybe they have QC issues.

Ahhh, waterproof socks, lock in the freshness.

I take waterproof (goretex) socks.

I wear them in the evenings over dry, comfy wool socks, inside my damp Astral Brewers, giving me a delightful camp shoe in any weather.

boonie: "My experience with Sealskinz socks a few years ago was not good - they did not remain anywhere near waterproof for more than a day or two. "

My experience with sealskinz is similar, lasted a little longer but not a fan of them. I have had really good luck with Camaro neoprene socks

Got them on clearance on amazon a few years ago for 12ish dollars and use them as a bridge between muck boot weather and light wool socks and drain shoes wet footing. They have held up well to 4-5 uses a year, go on and off easier than SS, are still 100% water proof and dont smell as bad as the SS did.

I'm going to try Randy Sun, was surprised no input on those here?

Love my Randy Suns and so does my wife and several camping friends. Watch for sales too. No joy with seal skins.

I've been unable to find NRS knee-length socks anywhere in my size and have the same issue with the NRS Boundary Boots, so the Randy Sun socks might be what I go with, simply because they're available in my size.