Here are the criteria that every good pair of waterproof socks must have to rest assured your feet will stay safe, protected, and dry on your adventures:
Material
Materials play a big role in the overall performance, durability, fit, and comfort of a waterproof sock. According to the Portland brand Showers Pass, waterproof socks are typically constructed with three key elements: knit exterior, waterproof membrane, and knit interior.
In general terms, the combination of material used in the design and the thickness of the sock is what gives them their waterproof quality. The outer layer will get wet to the touch, but it’s the inner and middle layers that provide the extra barrier to keep water from seeping in. Waterproof socks tend to be constructed with thicker, scratchier,materials like nylon, elastane, and polyester, rather than natural fibers like merino wool and cotton. Some waterproof socks incorporate a DWR treatment.
The material also plays a role in fit and comfort.
Fit
Like Goldilocks, we tested the fit of these waterproof socks to make sure they’re comfortable on the foot: not too loose, not too tight, but just right. We also made sure to test with different socks underneath.
Waterproof socks typically come in ankle, quarter, mid-calf, and over-the-calf heights, with the majority on the taller side as they provide more coverage and protection. While sock height preference is based on several factors — from type of shoe or boot to activityto personal preference — we tested a variety of sock heights to gauge their fit and feel.
We also considered if a sock was too tight around our calf muscles — a common problem folks with bigger calves face on the shin panel and cuff of socks. Pro-tip on fit: Sealskinz recommends going up a sock size if you’re in between sizes. For example, if you’re usually a Men’s size 9.5, opt for size large socks that fit men’s sizes 10-12.
Comfort
Who wants to wear uncomfortable socks? Not us. And probably not you either if you want to keep your feet dry, safe, and warm on the trail. It’s not uncommon that waterproof socks take some time getting used to in terms of fit and comfort. We included sock models in our testing that prioritize cushion too, not just waterproofing. We also kept an eye out for reviews online that complained about less desirable qualities, like hot spots, faster-than-normal wear and tear, and general discomfort.
Durability
When you’re going the distance, quality matters. Not to mention, waterproof socks are significantly more expensive than traditional hiking, biking, skiing, or running socks. If you make a purchase, it’s important to feel confident the socks will hold up for a long while. Although we didn’t develop any holes or noticable wear during testing, we kept an eye out for negative reviews for signs of quick wear and tear, poor quality, or issues with socks fraying, tearing, or falling apart. If that was the case, we removed the sock from ourlist.
Waterproofness
Wet feet in waterproof socks? That’s a no-go. We’re testing waterproof socks after all! We put our testing pool through both natural and simulated environments to gauge their waterproof performance — from dunking them in a bucket to wearing them on the trail in a downpour. If our feet got wet, even in the slightest, we took note.
Breathability
Waterproof socks can help keep your feet warm and dry on the trail in rain, snow, or humid environments. That said, wearing socks that aren’t breathable and don’t properly dry out can cause issues by trapping heat and moisture around your foot, especially when your feet start to sweat.
Most waterproof socks are designed to be breathable while still keeping water out. Non-breathable socks can cause injury and discomfort ranging from blisters and sores to bacteria and unpleasant smells. We made sure to consider how breathable each pair of waterproof socks in our testing pool were in both wet and dry environments.
Washability
Clean socks = happy feet. During our testing, we washed each pair of waterproof socks to gauge how quickly they would dry and if they came out smell-free. From our research, we learned it’s key to wash waterproof socks inside out and we washed each pair of socks we tested in the washing machine before tumble drying and air drying.
During the drying process, we ran two tests: let them tumble dry on a low heat cycle and, alternatively, let them air dry on a drying rack. Durability also plays a role in the washing process. We monitored for any pilling of fabric or fraying of stitches caused by washing each pair.
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