--- title: "Waterproof socks – what are they good for and how to choose the right pair?" description: "Thinking about getting waterproof socks, or have no idea what they are and what they're good for? In our article we'll show you the differences and hint at what to focus on when choosing." canonical_url: "https://gramino.com/blog/how-to-choose-waterproof-socks" last_updated: "2020-02-28" --- # Waterproof socks – what are they good for and how to choose the right pair? Authors: David Czempka Date: 2020-02-28 Thinking about getting waterproof socks, or have no idea what they are and what they're good for? In our article we'll show you the differences and hint at what to focus on when choosing. If you've already hung up your hiking boots for good and, like us, prefer lightweight footwear without a membrane, waterproof socks will come in handy. You'll enjoy the benefits of a light, breathable shoe 90% of the time – the low weight means you won't tire yourself out unnecessarily, the shoe is much softer and adapts better to your foot, your feet breathe nicely, and the shoes dry fast. But in the remaining 10% of the time, there will be moments when you'd want something sturdier and warmer on your feet – something that simply won't let water in. And that's exactly where [waterproof socks](/c/clothing/waterproof-socks) come in. [Video](https://youtu.be/kWGmz-R-X54) ## What exactly are they good for? Okay, let's walk through a few example situations where you'll be really glad to have a pair of waterproof socks in your pack. Water conducts heat around 20 times better than air, **so once your shoes or socks get soaked through, you can say goodbye to warm feet**. ## **Waterproof socks with lightweight, non-membrane shoes** - In warmer months, they make morning walks through dew-soaked grass, muddy or waterlogged terrain, or sudden rain much more pleasant. Wet skin increases friction and **raises the risk of blisters, so it pays to keep your feet dry**. - Your shoes are completely soaked and you slow down your activity, and your feet start getting cold. - Your shoes are soaked and the temperature drops, a freezing wind picks up, or you run into leftover snowfields in the mountains. - With warm waterproof socks you can handle short trips or runs, and even weekend crossings on snow (seriously, we've tested it). - If you're camping in sub-zero temperatures, your shoes will freeze up to some degree overnight. Squeezing your foot into a frozen shoe is a lot more pleasant with waterproof socks on. [DexShell Ultra Thin Crew](/p/dexshell-ultra-thin-crew.md) ## **Waterproof socks with membrane shoes** Paired with membrane shoes, waterproof socks act as a great backup for longer trips. Even a waterproof shoe has its limits when it comes to keeping water out, and **once it does get soaked, it's nearly impossible to dry out on a trek in damp conditions.** ## How to choose the ideal pair If you've decided to give them a try, how do you pick the best one for you? Even though some models might look like they only differ in color at first glance, the reality is different. We'll walk you through the key differences below. Let's start with what all waterproof socks have in common. [DexShell Running Lite Sock 2.0](/p/dexshell-running-lite-sock-2-0.md) ## What they all have in common All waterproof socks **have 3 layers**, so they're all built the same way structurally. - **Outer layer:** the outer layer needs to be abrasion-resistant above all, so it's most often a knit made mostly of polyamide (nylon). - **Middle layer – membrane:** the waterproof membrane is inserted (laminated) between the outer and inner layers, which protect it from both sides. This is the proprietary hydrophilic [Porelle® membrane](http://www.porellemembranes.co.uk/), with a water column rating of over 10,000 mm and breathability over 15,000 g/m²/24h. - **Inner layer:** the inner layer handles moisture absorption, sweat-wicking, and overall comfort. This is where the material varies from model to model. *DexShell waterproof socks – how it works* ## What sets them apart #### **1. Length** DexShell waterproof socks come in **five different lengths**. The shortest ones are roughly the same length as the regular socks we're all used to. With ankle-length socks, water could get in from the top in certain situations, which would make the waterproofing almost pointless – that's why even the shortest models are relatively tall. Even though everyone has their own preference, you'll generally want to choose socks that extend a few centimeters above your shoes. The lengths are: - Above the ankle - High above the ankle - Below the calf muscle (crew) - Mid-calf - Knee-high **If you have above-average muscular calves and don't specifically need tall socks, go for the shorter models instead (1, 2, or 3).** Otherwise you risk the socks pinching your calf, or worse, not being able to pull them over your calf at all. The membrane is stretchy, but it has its limits. #### **2. Material and thickness of the inner layer** You should choose the sock thickness based not just on the season, but also on your activity. There's a big difference between getting socks for a physically demanding activity (running) and something more static (photography, really slow walks). To rate how warm the socks are, DexShell created the Thermal Guideline scale. Each model is marked with a number from one to five (5/5 being the warmest). Keep in mind that **even the thinnest socks (1/5) are thicker and warmer than regular socks** – after all, they have 3 layers. The thinnest waterproof socks (1/5) will naturally have a shorter lifespan than the thicker ones. The membrane here is protected by thinner material on both sides. That's why the thinnest socks aren't ideal for running, which involves a fair amount of friction and abrasion. They do work well for cycling in clip-in shoes, though, since most riders prefer a snugger fit and a thicker model wouldn't fit – or as an emergency fix for soaked footwear on treks in warmer conditions, where you throw the socks on for as long as you need them, without walking hundreds of kilometers in them. Based on our own experience, here's roughly how we'd map the waterproof sock thermal scale onto **real-world temperatures:** - **1/5** – 15 °C down to 6 °C - **2/5** – 12 °C down to 3 °C - **3/5** – 8 °C down to -2 °C - **4/5** – 4 °C down to -6 °C - **5/5** – 0 °C down to -10 °C **Please take this range with a big grain of salt,** since beyond physical activity and temperature, a lot of other factors come into play – what shoes you're wearing, wind, how differently people perceive cold, and so on. #### 3. Inner layer of the sock It's most commonly made from these materials: **Coolmax® FX** – a synthetic fiber (polyester) known for low water absorption and fast moisture-wicking and drying. It keeps your foot at an optimal temperature across different climate and activity conditions. Silver ions are added to the fibers to help suppress odor. **Merino wool** – Stands out for its warmth, natural antibacterial properties, breathability, and moisture-wicking. It's made of breathable, complex protein fibers that adapt easily to big temperature swings – cooling in summer, warming in winter – and thanks to its keratin base, it doesn't absorb body odor. Merino wool is soft and gentle on the skin. **Drirelease wool** – a blend of merino wool and synthetic fibers. It takes the best qualities from both. It provides good warmth and feels pleasant against the skin, while also wicking moisture excellently, staying durable, and drying quickly. **Bamboo fiber** – a material known for its excellent softness, antistatic properties, and gentleness on the skin. Thanks to its hollow fiber structure, it adapts well to different temperatures. It's 100% biodegradable. **Acrylic yarn** – a synthetic fiber that closely resembles wool. It's just as soft and pleasant against the skin. On the other hand, it dries faster. All medium-warm and warm models (3/5 to 5/5) have a looped terry fabric on the inside at the toe and sole *DexShell Terrain Anckle Socks Waterproof Outdoor* ## Choosing the right size Even though waterproof socks are fairly stretchy, they're not quite comparable to regular socks. DexShell offers socks in 4 sizes, from S to XL. To nail the ideal size on your first try, it's worth paying some attention to your choice, especially if you're shopping online. So far, going by **foot length in centimeters** has worked best for us. If you measure it accurately, the socks will fit great in the vast majority of cases. If you're between two sizes, we recommend going with the larger one. ## Conclusion Waterproof socks are a useful addition for hiking, running, cycling, or other sports in rainy weather. Thanks to their special properties, they keep your feet dry and, more importantly, warm, which adds to your overall comfort. Even though waterproof socks cost a bit more than regular socks, they're a worthwhile investment. If you spend time outdoors and are looking for a reliable way to keep your feet warm, [waterproof socks](/c/clothing/waterproof-socks) are the right choice. - [DexShell Ultra Thin Crew](/p/dexshell-ultra-thin-crew.md) - [DexShell Running Lite Sock 2.0](/p/dexshell-running-lite-sock-2-0.md) - [DexShell Thermlite](/p/dexshell-thermlite.md) - [DexShell Trekking](/p/dexshell-trekking.md) - [DexShell Hytherm Pro](/p/dexshell-hytherm-pro.md) - [DexShell StormBLOK Socks](/p/dexshell-stormblok-socks.md) - [DexShell Terrain Walking 2.0](/p/dexshell-terrain-walking-2-0.md) - [DexShell Longlite Socks](/p/dexshell-longlite-socks.md) This post is also available as [HTML](/blog/how-to-choose-waterproof-socks). ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.