Sealskin alternative

Talk about anything.

Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew

Post Reply
journeyman
Posts: 140
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 8:43 pm
Location: Chagford

Sealskin alternative

Post 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...
u02sgb
Posts: 240
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 3:14 pm

Re: Sealskin alternative

Post by u02sgb »

Think it was Dexshell socks. Although I don't have a pair.
journeyman
Posts: 140
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 8:43 pm
Location: Chagford

Re: Sealskin alternative

Post by journeyman »

:-bd
User avatar
Bearbonesnorm
Posts: 23904
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:53 pm
Location: my own little world

Re: Sealskin alternative

Post by Bearbonesnorm »

May the bridges you burn light your way
ScotRoutes
Posts: 8144
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:56 am

Re: Sealskin alternative

Post by ScotRoutes »

As I understand it, Sealskinz used to use the Dexshell membrane but there was some fall-out.

Another alternative is GoreTex oversocks.
User avatar
johnnystorm
Posts: 3947
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:55 pm
Location: Eastern (Anglia) Front

Re: Sealskin alternative

Post by johnnystorm »

I use the dexshell Wudhu sock as they aren't too thick and are plain black.
Image
Rasta
Posts: 398
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2018 9:33 am
Location: Sussex & France.

Re: Sealskin alternative

Post 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.
middleagedmadness
Posts: 1799
Joined: Wed Nov 01, 2017 6:37 pm
Location: Tir Na Nog

Re: Sealskin alternative

Post 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
redefined_cycles
Posts: 9282
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2016 8:19 am
Location: Dewsbury, West Yorkshire

Re: Sealskin alternative

Post 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
Lazarus
Posts: 3597
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2013 10:49 am

Re: Sealskin alternative

Post 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.
lune ranger
Posts: 2380
Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2016 7:52 pm
Location: Peoples Republic of Devon

Re: Sealskin alternative

Post 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.
If you are going through hell, keep going.
WSC
Rasta
Posts: 398
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2018 9:33 am
Location: Sussex & France.

Re: Sealskin alternative

Post 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.
User avatar
Bearbonesnorm
Posts: 23904
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:53 pm
Location: my own little world

Re: Sealskin alternative

Post 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:
May the bridges you burn light your way
ScotRoutes
Posts: 8144
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:56 am

Re: Sealskin alternative

Post 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.
Post Reply