VBL idea- am I crazy?

Try googling "Travel Feet". I saw a tour group of about twenty people in LAX, all wearing these.

See:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=55011

http://www.swiminn.com/swimming/arena-latex-socks/14476/p

Not latex, but: http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2347&pdeptid=1168

And then, of course, the ultimate winter VBL outfit…. http://www.dhgate.com/100-handmade-natural-latex-catsuit-with-gloves/p-ff8080813781ee000137836db6115d6d.html#s1-5-null

"And then, of course, the ultimate winter VBL outfit…"

Ohh man! Doug you will be missed this year at Henry Coe.

Ummm, Doug, are you tempting me with that Catsuit?? LMAO.

Thanks for the other ideas. I'll test them out. I'm looking for a cheap alternative to purchasing expensive VBL socks.

I tried searching for the "Travel feet" you mentioned and couldn't find them.

I'm looking for a cheap alternative to purchasing expensive VBL socks.

plastic grocery bags, people do.

Doug. I don't want to know why you look certain things up. But if you ever have a party I want an invite. Should be memorable.

Yah, I tried those too and they get bunchy. I want something a little more form fitting like that catsuit.

"I tried those too and they get bunchy. I want something a little more form fitting like that catsuit."

better visual.

I don't get out in too cold of weather. Though it is very damp here a lot of the time. I use Goretex socks for around camp and sleeping. Fairly warm. And I can be comfortable with dry feet in wet shoes.

I have been using the gloves like that for quite some time.

But I haven't found socks like that yet.

Doug found them. Here they are:

http://www.mytravelfeet.com/

NRS also makes the hydroskin socks which are only $25 or so IIRC. They're 0.5mm neoprene with some thin fleece lining. I've used them paired with thick poly socks while hiking all day in 40F water without being unbearably cold. They're pretty lightweight too for the warmth.

As for the catsuit, I've been trying to find a nitrile version, but no luck. My girlfriend has a latex allergy unfortunately!

I am also in a search for a DURABLE VBL sock solution. Bread bags and other stronger bags rarely last more than ten miles and I also have had the bunching problem. Next I made booties out of .8 cuben fiber. Works great for sleeping but I wore them hiking and blew a heel hole in about 15 miles. The next generation was made out 2.2 PU coated nylon. They are waiting for crappy weather to see how long they last. The good news on these is the low cost to make. And super quick.

If they don't last then I will try 210 dyneema. If none of these work then I may have to try the travel feet. At least they are cheap and easy. If someone uses them let me know How many miles you can get out of a pair?

Same with the swimming socks, they look to have some potential. Anyone know mileage on those?

I've put a few miles on a pair of RBH socks and they're still going strong. You'd have to seam seal them to make them completely waterproof, but they're more durable, and warmer, than anything I've used in the past. Only good for cold hiking.

I know the MEC VBL socks .

These are durable and PU coated. Nylon weight is not stated but I’d say 2.2 would be close. The problem I still find with them is that they’re not waterproof enough for inmersion or marshy hiking but I understand these are tough situations as the water pressure must get quite high.

VBL is a great idea for hands and feet as they don’t sweet that much in cold conditions. I don’t like form-fitting gloves though, they’re a pain to put on and take off, particulartly if it is raining and the skin is wet.