Hi,

So Ive read a few things on this forum over some months...or years now but this is my first post.

I am going to NZ and plan to do a lot of hiking, mostly day hikes but also the Milford and perhaps Routeburn.

I live in Hawaii so have not much experience with colder weather conditions.

Everything Ive read so far suggests that the Milford is cold and wet. I usually hike in trail runners that are extremely breathable and Im thinking these won't cut it over there. Id say my options are either a) goretex trail runners b) goretex socks + trail runners or c) goretex hiking boots.

Now B sounds like the superior solution for a number of reasons - versatility, sock comes up higher than shoe, the fact that if water gets INSIDE a gore tex shoe you're screwed.

However, my true shoe size is US women's 4.5 (what I buy in stiletto type shoes, sandals) and size 5 in athletic type shoes fits me well usually. Rocky's smallest size is Men's 5 (women's 6 or something) and other brands like Sealskinz don't seem to make a women's 5 either.

Does anyone know of a waterproof sock (that at least mostly works) for women with smaller feet? Has anyone successfully made a pair themselves (the idea of a seam anywhere on a sock makes me cringe, though)? Any other ideas?

UPDATE: I did find what I'm calling a foot condom (it's made of latex) that sounds like it should fit. It also sounds like it has zero breathability. http://www.waterproofsock.com/products.html

Edited by prioritymail on 10/18/2010 02:46:33 MDT.

How wet is the question I guess. I use waterproof/breathable mid-style boots for winter hiking--- with a big difference in weight. I agree that waterproof low tops don't work--- it's like locking your convertible with the top down.

REI carries Seirus Hyperlite Stormsocks in your size. (I haven't used them)
http://www.rei.com/product/729120


NRS makes and sells a lot of whitewater and kayaking equipment. I haven't used this product, but they do make it in your size. They won't be breathable.

NRS HydroSkin Socks

Protect your feet and keep them warm without the bulk of other wetsocks. NRS HydroSkin® Socks are the ultimate wetshoe liner. And, hey, they work great with sandals too.

* The 0.5-mm neoprene core insulates and protect.

* 4-way-stretch PowerSpan™ outer layer gives you enhanced mobility and greater durability.

* The ThermalPlush™ inner lining increases insulation, repels moisture and dries quickly.

* Titanium laminate adhesive aids body heat retention without adding bulk.

* DWR coating forces water to "bead" and roll off the material, reduces evaporative cooling.

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2342

The Rocky socks run a full size too small. Try the men's size 5.

I *love* the Rocky socks for snowshoeing. Foot was dry as a bone and not sweaty.

- Elizabeth

Dale - I'll definitely look into your suggestions.

Elizabeth - I was considering going for the 5.

In case anyone else is in this situation, the 5's are a little harder to find than size 6 and up. Campmor carries them. I just called their customer service - and spoke to a real live person in the US!! - and the person was able to measure the sock in size 5 (!! Every other online retailer I have asked for measurements for anything, everyone from Zappos to REI has not been able to do this presumably due to the call center being geographically disconnected from the warehouse where the stuff is stored). The measurements are: 9" heel to toe, 4.25" across the top (double), 7.5"-8" heel to top of sock. I am now an even bigger fan of Campmor.

My measurements are 8.25" heel to toe, 9.5" across where the top would hit at 7.5". I'm gonna check out Dale's suggestions but I am leaning towards getting the Rocky's. I will probably try to fit the insole of my trail runners inside the sock as someone else on here wrote about doing because the sock will be way too long for my foot and I like the idea of the insole staying dry. I've spent a good amount of time reading reviews and searching for Rocky alternatives. Rocky's is the only one that people claim to actually work. Although there is a British Army waterproof sock that sounds promising.

Update -

REI sock - I had checked that one out earlier and decided not to go for it because of the reviews saying it is not waterproof.

NRS hydroskin - This one looks promising. There are a number of reviews of the product on buzzillion and they are positive and vouch for performance. I've used neoprene dive boots before and I wouldn't expect these socks to be breathable at all. That is one con compared to goretex. Some people said it ran large so fit is a question mark. I imagine thickness of sock, wideness of foot, circumference of ankles all effect fit. Does anyone know what kind of sock if any would be best paired with this product? I imagine a thick wool sock may be too warm or not even fit, maybe a thin nylon sock would be best? Seems like if you're using it as an oversock it would be a good idea to have something in it to absorb sweat / prevent neoprene from stinking. I also wonder if neoprene against shoe sole may be slippery under certain conditions.

Edited by prioritymail on 10/18/2010 15:27:41 MDT.

Hi Kim

If you haven't used GTX shoes much in the past, you will be in for a shock. Your feet will get extremely white and soggy, - what we call 'pruny'. In the long run this can be rather damaging. Basically, we just don't wear GTX shoes outside of snowshoeing.

The Milford track can be extremely muddy, and under bad conditions you might need knee-length GoreTex to keep your feet 'dry' - but they would be wet and soggy (pruny) anyhow. And Hopefully the Park authorities will have put in board-walks for the worst bits by now.

If you don't have knee-length GTX, then your trousers will get wet and muddy and the mud will filter down into your shoes. Face it: you WILL get wet feet. It's a basic fact of life under those conditions, and does not worry us.

So I strongly suggest you take your favourite light-weight joggers and a couple of changes of wool socks, and wash the day's socks each evening. Doesn't matter if they don't dry out completely. Yes, your favourite shoes WILL cut it, AND you know you will have comfortable feet.

The whole GTX/boot thing is driven by the vendors who want to up-market you - at your cost.

Cheers

I kind of agree with Roger, although I think he missed your update to say you're taking Goretex socks rather than shoes. I would carry the Goretex socks and two pairs of spare lightweight socks. All of my socks would be wool.

My system on the MIlford, with dry huts and drying rooms each night, would work like this:

One pair for hiking, wash them and hang them in the drying room each night. Either use pink, orange or pin a bright ribbon to them when you hang them up. This avoids the "Who's got my socks" debacle in the morning of all the blue, black and green sock users!

One lightweight pair for walking around and from the hut each afternoon. You could ditch this pair if you're prepared to stay in your washed out, wet socks each afternoon.

One dry pair for evenings in the hut.

If I was walking the Milford with my wife, I would DEFINITELY carry her a pair of Crocs or similar for hut shoes. These will allow you to have warm dry feet every night, which will contribute greatly to your enjoyment of the track.

Carry the Goretex socks, and wear them whenever you like, but be open to NOT wearing them. Your feet will be wet either way, since it rains about 250 days a year and there are a couple of creek crossings without bridges. My experience is that if you think you can keep your feet dry and then they get wet, it makes for a miserable days walking. However if you accept that your feet will be wet all day, but mostly warm, and dry and warm at night, you can tolerate it quite well.

Rod and Roger, Thank you for your insight. I'm definitely doing what you both (and others above) have recommended, that is, going with the GTX socks, wool socks (I don't use anything else anymore :), and prepared for wet feet. I was going to bring rubber slippers (flip flops) for walking around huts.

Edited by prioritymail on 10/19/2010 12:21:35 MDT.

Kim,

I'm with Roger and Rod on this one. Take the waterproof socks and give it a try, but be prepared to fall back on saturated thin wool socks and trail runners.

And as Rod said, carry a dry pair of socks and sandals and put them on every time you stop in a dry place, to let your feet air out. After a LOT of searching, the best model I've found is the Crocs Cleo:

http://www.crocs.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-crocs_us-Site/default/Product-Show?pid=10043

Nearly all sandals have the tab between the toes so they are not comfortable with warm socks. And nearly all sandals a with cross strap instead of a tab are heavy like Tevas. The popular Crocs models are too bulky. The Cleo is minimalist, and the top strap is hinged, so it lays flat, making them easy to pack. Available in womens sizes 4 to 12! My size 9 crocs weigh 7.1 oz. And, at $15 on sale, you can hardly go wrong giving it a try.

Good luck, and have fun. Amy

Another suggestion for 'hut shoes" would be the Aqua Shoes , the lighter type that are basically a rubber sole with a stretch top.
Something like this ones:


I concur with the above that trying to keep you feet dry during the walk is a losing battle, the point is to dry them as soon and as often as possible .
(as suggested, take your shoes off at breaks and as soon as you can at camp)
Franco

Hi Kim,

Yes, socks sound like an interesting idea and also perhaps consider how you would take care of your feet once they are wet - or have been wet for a number of days, even if you are able to get them reasonably dry and warm at night. You might want to check some of the wet foot care discussions/threads over on Whiteblaze.

Say good luck with your hike and I hope you have a fantastic time in NZ!

Just to be clear since I've just realised most people wouldn't know, The Milford Sound walk is hut accommodation only, ie no camping allowed, and the Routeburn has huts which I THINK are bookable.

The Milford huts when I walked it 20yrs ago had has cookers, gas drying rooms, and maybe heaters, but I can't remember for sure. You can be assured of getting your feet at least dry, and probably warm, every night.

Also, if you travel light, you can comfortably walk hut to hut in 3-4 hrs, and have to stop at the next hut each night. You can't skip a hut.