Rocky Gore-Tex Waterproof Sock Alternatives

[Scott F.]

Fall is finally here and soon to follow the wet cold feet.  I understand it is almost impossible to find Rocky Gore-Tex Waterproof Socks for sale these days.  They are definetly best I’ve tried and my pair is slowly wearing out.  Does anyone know of any good alternatives with similar waterproofing qualities?  I really appreciate any recommendations.

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

I haven’t looked for a while, but a few years ago SealSkinz seemed like the only real alternative and the reviews were more mixed on those.

[Ed Tyanich]

Not Gore-Tex, but I love Bridgedale StormSock. I’ve used them for several years now and prefer them to Rocky’s.
I listened to a Podcast recently from Exo Mountain Gear that really liked the Showers Pass Gore-Tex socks.

[Terran Terran]

I’ve looked at the Showers Pass. I wondered how they were for walking. If there’s a difference?

[Sharon M]

Montbell has a couple of different height Gore-tex socks.  They are very similar to the Rocky socks, only with a better (IMHO) fit.  I’ve been using the Montbell Gore-tex socks for over a year and have been really happy with them.

[Scott F.]

Thanks all.  Yes I heard mixed-things about SealSkinz.  And didn’t know Montebell makes GoreTex socks.  They look promising but seem to be pretty expensive.  Anyone else have experience with Montbell’s GoreTex socks?  Showers Pass Waterproof socks sound really good and less expensive too.  These might the replacement for my Rockys.  Thanks again!

[Greg Pehrson]

Scott, It could be worth it to put a Want to Buy post for Rocky’s on Gear Swap here. That’s where I got mine. Good luck in your search.

[Brad W]

I don’t think the Showers Pass are Gore-Tex.

[John H]

many sizes available of rocky socks on eBay right now, for a pretty nice discount

[Brett Peugh]

It look slike Rocky and Showers Pass don’t make anything close to a 14.  Maybe the Bridgedale Storm Socks, how do the XLs of those look?  I have an old pair of DexShell which seem to work.  Thank you.

[Ed Tyanich]

I wear a size 13 and use the XL in the Bridgedale. I think you could probably go up to a 14 with it.

[Josh J]

I was wondering about showers pass or leakdry….

[Worth Donaldson]

Being a canoeist who wet foots it, I wear wool socks in warm weather and transition to waterproof socks once temperatures are expected to be in the mid-50’s. I’ve yet to find the perfect waterproof sock. Once in the 4o’s I transition to neoprene mukluks or a dry suit. I find myself stretching the seams and causing Rocky’s to leak. Randy Sun are not durable enough for portaging and will start to leak within a week’s use. Sealskinz are more durable and may start to leak within 2 weeks. I suspect a large part of the problem is the grit and fine silt that works it way into the fabric and abrades the waterproof barrier. For stream crossings Kokatat launch socks https://kokatat.com/hydrus-3l-launch-socks-acuhls may work but they are way too baggy to hike in for the long haul.

[Jared D]

RANDY SUN. Well worth a try, not only is it waterproof, but it also prevents mud and sand from entering your feet.

[Ryan Jordan]

The Randy Sun’s are nice, but sort of for done-in-a-day applications. They absorb a bit of water and are slow to dry, similar to the Bridgedale’s and Sealskinz.

Montbell socks fit me a little more baggy than Rocky Socks. Another option: Gorewear Waterproof Socks. They are waterproof enough for the purposes we want them for (keeping feet warm), and the lightest of all of them. Mine are less than 2 oz, and fit the best.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

My “waterproof” socks are US DIVERS 3 mm thick closed cell neoprene socks over thin poly liner socks (one pair liner socks per day)

This setup keeps your boot insulation DRY and gives warmth as well without crowding your boot fit.Absolutely great for winter camping. At night in your tenturn the neoprene socks inside-out to dry (about 15 – 20 minutes) put them inside the foot of yer mummy bag along with removable boot liners for nicely warm feet in the morning. Put wet liner socks in a ZipLoc freezer bag, don new liner socks and heavy wool “sleep socks”.  Keep boot shells in the tent to vestibule and out of the snow.

[John S.]

Since waterproof socks are not really waterproof when water enters due to pressure on foot, has anybody just worn nrs hydroskin socks as a replacement?

[Dondo .]

John, those are the ones I wear.  On my foot, it’s a more comfortable fit than the Rocky GTX socks and much easier to put on and pull off.

[Jason McGrath]

Ryan, I can’t find it now, but I seem to remember you were recommending the gorewear shield sock over a wool sock. Did you size up on the gore sock?

[Phil B]

I keep getting Facebook spam from this company, but I haven’t seen any real reviews on their gear and they don’t really come out and say what kind of barrier fabric they use.  https://leakdry.store

I used Sealskinz a long time ago in a very wet trip in Glacier NP and they actually worked pretty well, but took forever to dry out.

[FlyingAvocado]

Has anyone tried the Klim Covert liner socks? They are intended for motorcyclist, which brings the durability and possibly the weight to question for our purposes. Nevertheless, with the unavailability of the rocky socks it would be nice to find a close second that works well.

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