Opinion on water resistant or non-water resistant barefoot boots for all season hunting?

[khart_6882]

I know you weren’t replying to me, but I might be able to help.

I’ve used Sealskinz waterproof socks for a couple of years now. Not a ton, but a handful of days each year as needed.

Anything in particular you’d like to know?

Well I’ve never used a waterproof sock, but how waterproof are they? Do they dry quickly if you hang them in your tent overnight or put them in your sleeping bag? I know you said you only wear them a few days a year but how do they last? 46$ is a chunk of change for some socks

 

[Lawnboi]

Well I’ve never used a waterproof sock, but how waterproof are they? Do they dry quickly if you hang them in your tent overnight or put them in your sleeping bag? I know you said you only wear them a few days a year but how do they last? 46$ is a chunk of change for some socks

Just like a membrane in a boot. When new they work awesome. I expect some level of degradation.

I feel the seal skins socks are about right, they keep water out, and depending on the model dry fairly easily, that said you have to rotate the sock around, obviously it won’t dry if the inner is wet and vice versa. You can also squeeze them out which helps. I will say they dry a whole lot faster than a pair of waterproof membrane boots!

Ill take them with me and wear only when needed. And always with a liner sock.

Also very important, like without gaiters are a must. The socks will wick moisture down them if you let the upper sock get wet.

 

[Greenstig]

Well I’ve never used a waterproof sock, but how waterproof are they? Do they dry quickly if you hang them in your tent overnight or put them in your sleeping bag? I know you said you only wear them a few days a year but how do they last? 46$ is a chunk of change for some socks

Just as @Lawnboi suggests, they are composed of the same material as a waterproof membrane in a boot (probably a PE membrane, like Sympatex). The key difference being you can choose when to use them and when not to.

They feel nothing like a neoprene wading sock, as there is both a knitted fabric interior and exterior, which helps with moisture management. They are ment to be worn over normal socks as an “outer shell” of sorts.

The dry reasonably quick, much quicker than a boot. If you are hunting a costal climate where the humidity is high and the drying conditions poor, rotating between two pairs is probably the best strategy. Again, can’t do that with a boot.

No issues with longevity so far for me. I’d guess I have perhaps 12-15 days of use in total so far. I only really use them during rain or early/late mixed wet snow conditions.

 

[peaches]

Just as @Lawnboi suggests, they are composed of the same material as a waterproof membrane in a boot (probably a PE membrane, like Sympatex). The key difference being you can choose when to use them and when not to.

They feel nothing like a neoprene wading sock, as there is both a knitted fabric interior and exterior, which helps with moisture management. They are ment to bed worn over normal socks as an “outer shell” of sorts.

The dry reasonably quick, much quicker than a boot. If you are hunting a costal climate where the humidity is high and the drying conditions poor, rotating between two pairs is probably the best strategy. Again, can’t do that with a boot.

No issues with longevity so far for me. I’d guess I have perhaps 12-15 days of use in total so far. I only really use them during rain or early/late mixed wet snow conditions.

I have 30+ yrs of hiking/hunting experience and never considered waterproof socks. I get blisters like crazy in stiff boots despite all the 'tricks' also have had surgeries to remove Morton's neuromas in both feet. Barefoot style is out of the question,; I even need 'house shoes' for post surgery pain. My best combo is Salomon boots, good arch supports and thick wool socks. BUT, the clamy feeling in goretex boots suck; especially cold days. Anyone wear these waterproof sucks with goretex? How thin are they? Those old neoprene gloves sucked and the stink factor was way high!

 

[Greenstig]

I have 30+ yrs of hiking/hunting experience and never considered waterproof socks. I get blisters like crazy in stiff boots despite all the 'tricks' also have had surgeries to remove Morton's neuromas in both feet. Barefoot style is out of the question,; I even need 'house shoes' for post surgery pain. My best combo is Salomon boots, good arch supports and thick wool socks. BUT, the clamy feeling in goretex boots suck; especially cold days. Anyone wear these waterproof sucks with goretex? How thin are they? Those old neoprene gloves sucked and the stink factor was way high!

Can’t speak to the membrane boot + membrane sock part of your question, since I’ve never tried it.

I have the extreme cold weather seal skinz and they are about as thick as a pair of 2.5mm neoprene wading booties. I’m not sure how thin the all weather/warm weather versions are.

They can still feel a little damp after a full day of use, but nowhere near the cold, damp feeling of neoprene.

If someone were considering them for more frequent use, I’d advise them to go up at least 1/2 size in their footwear. My use is only in specific and infrequent conditions, so I don’t worry about it.

 

[peaches]

That helps. Thanks for the info. It's probably not a good option for me. I already go big on boots to accommodate inserts and thicker socks. I'll probably just keep rotating socks during the day. It's just a pain to change in the cold especially when wearing gators.

I don't believe there is a great solution for still hunting/hiking in snow/wet and having comfortable toes. Rubber boots are out for me, and my Iceman or bunnie boots are way to heavy.

 

[arlenmyles]

I am running the Vivobarefeet Tracker AT Textile. Good water resistance and quick to dry. The leather tracker esc dont dry nearly as fast.

 

[Xperimental]

Xero Scrambler Mid 2 WP are absolutely amazing WP hiking boots. I have put some seriously rough Adirondack High Peak Mountain miles on mine. So far from the "casual end user."

 

[Big_wals]

Have u seen the Lems Outlander? I've been wearing Lems for years and they're great! The Outlander is their new waterproof boot. Made in Boulder, Colorado

Not trying to clutter up the thread, but Lems are actually made in China.