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Sealskin alternative

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 10:04 am
by journeyman
Can anyone remind me of the alternative brand to sealskins that was discussed here a while back - there was talk of the alternative being better due to it using a waterproof membane that sealskin had stopped using. It may have all been a cider induced dream, but im sure its somewhere here in this repository...

Re: Sealskin alternative

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 10:25 am
by u02sgb
Think it was Dexshell socks. Although I don't have a pair.

Re: Sealskin alternative

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 10:50 am
by journeyman
:-bd

Re: Sealskin alternative

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 10:50 am
by Bearbonesnorm

Re: Sealskin alternative

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 7:43 pm
by ScotRoutes
As I understand it, Sealskinz used to use the Dexshell membrane but there was some fall-out.

Another alternative is GoreTex oversocks.

Re: Sealskin alternative

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 9:52 pm
by johnnystorm
I use the dexshell Wudhu sock as they aren't too thick and are plain black.

Re: Sealskin alternative

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:22 pm
by Rasta
My Sealskinz socks are about 20 years old. Are newer versions better?
For me, they are just soggy socks but add warmth as long as I keep moving.

Re: Sealskin alternative

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:28 pm
by middleagedmadness
Rasta wrote: Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:22 pm My Sealskinz socks are about 20 years old. Are newer versions better?
For me, they are just soggy socks but add warmth as long as I keep moving.
No exactly the same like wearing poly bags on your feet

Re: Sealskin alternative

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 10:19 pm
by redefined_cycles
middleagedmadness wrote: Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:28 pm
Rasta wrote: Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:22 pm My Sealskinz socks are about 20 years old. Are newer versions better?
For me, they are just soggy socks but add warmth as long as I keep moving.
No exactly the same like wearing poly bags on your feet
Them ones (the first iterations that felt a bit crinkly) were actuslly better Rasta. They were still using the branded membrane which Dex still use now (Porelle I think) and they lasted alot better than these newer (of the past 9 years or so) Sealskinz... Utter garbage, wuite literally

Re: Sealskin alternative

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 11:10 pm
by Lazarus
I have never been in a situation where they have kept my feet dry when it was raining -if the boot gets wet my feet do .Not very breathable either so i think you get wet with sweat from them as well. Would not use on a long ride personally but ok for commuting and night rides.

Re: Sealskin alternative

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 11:25 pm
by lune ranger
Rasta wrote: Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:22 pm My Sealskinz socks are about 20 years old. Are newer versions better?
For me, they are just soggy socks but add warmth as long as I keep moving.
You’re lucky if they actually work for more than a few rides.
I used to buy a pair every year but gave up some time ago.
Decent wool socks keep your feet as warm (and just as dry :roll:) in my experience.

Re: Sealskin alternative

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 9:01 am
by Rasta
I use them if my feet will get wet and stay wet. They reduce the flow of water splashing through my shoes. Rainy rides and canoe touring. I think of them as comfortable neoprene booties/socks like a diving wetsuit. When wet, the trapped water warms up.
With this in mind, they work for me.
But I have never considered them breatheable.

The other problem is they take 2 days to dry out.

Re: Sealskin alternative

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 10:18 am
by Bearbonesnorm
I had an old pair of Sealkins, they were good at keeping feet warm and (I felt) drier than normal socks. I then got a new pair, they weren't so good.

Some time later, Dee bought me some waterproof Merino Dexshell socks. These feel much more like Sealskins of old. They're a thick sock so your shoes need to be roomy but they generally keep the worst of the water out. However, we shouldn't forget that all socks have a big hole in the top and water will always find its way into it ... even if you tape the cuff to your leg :wink:

Re: Sealskin alternative

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 11:23 am
by ScotRoutes
The newer Sealskinz have a rubber gripper round the ankle. That helps reduce water ingress down the legs but goes baggy after a while.

The longer length ones also suffer less in this regard.