Example: trail runners with a little room, on a day of rain and wet grass. Change any answer.
A waterproof sock suits this
Mesh shoes let water straight in. A membrane sock keeps it off your foot while the shoe stays wet. 37 waterproof socks here fit this answer, from Bridgedale, DexShell, Randy Sun, Sealskinz and Showers Pass.
- Bridgedale StormSock Lightweight Ankleankle cuff, lightweight, no cushion
- DexShell Running Lite 2.0 Waterproof Over the ankleover the ankle cuff
- Randy Sun CORE Waterproof Ankleankle cuff
- Sealskinz Bircham Ankle Lengthankle length cuff, midweight
- Showers Pass Cross Point Superlight Waterproofcrew cuff, lightweight
- Sealskinz Dunton Ankle Lengthankle length cuff, midweight
Water comes in over the cuff, not through the sock: 20 of these reach mid-calf or the knee, for deeper puddles and wet grass. Compare the first two
Try the thinnest waterproof socks
Three layers take more room than one sock, and your shoes are already snug. 7 waterproof socks here are lightweight or have no cushion, from Bridgedale, DexShell, Randy Sun and Showers Pass. Try one in your shoes before the trip; if it crowds your toes, an ordinary sock and a dry spare is the other way.
- Bridgedale StormSock Lightweight Ankleankle cuff, lightweight, no cushion
- DexShell Thermlite 2.0 Waterproof Crewcrew cuff, lightweight
- Showers Pass Cross Point Superlight Waterproofcrew cuff, lightweight
- Randy Sun FLEX Waterproof Mid Calfmid calf cuff
- Bridgedale StormSock Lightweight Bootboot cuff, lightweight, no cushion
- DexShell Ultra Thin Crew Waterproofcrew cuff
Water comes in over the cuff, not through the sock: 2 of these reach mid-calf or the knee, for deeper puddles and wet grass. Compare the first two
A thicker waterproof sock for cold, wet days
Cold rain soaks a shoe and the sock inside it. A membrane keeps the knit next to your foot dry, so it keeps its warmth. 20 waterproof socks here are midweight, heavyweight or made for cold weather, from Bridgedale, DexShell, Sealskinz and Showers Pass. They are the thickest of the type, so check the fit in your shoes.
- Sealskinz Bircham Ankle Lengthankle length cuff, midweight
- Bridgedale StormSock Midweight Bootboot cuff, midweight, medium cushion
- DexShell StormBlok 2.0 Waterproof Camou Crewcrew cuff, midweight, light cushion
- Showers Pass Cross Point Waterproof Classic FXcuff height not published, midweight, medium cushion
- Sealskinz Dunton Ankle Lengthankle length cuff, midweight
- Sealskinz Surlingham Ankle Lengthankle length cuff, midweight
Water comes in over the cuff, not through the sock: 12 of these reach mid-calf or the knee, for deeper puddles and wet grass. Compare the first two
A waterproof sock suits this
Boots with no waterproof lining soak through in a long rain. A membrane sock keeps your foot dry inside them. 26 waterproof socks here have a cuff tall enough to clear a boot collar, from Bridgedale, DexShell, Randy Sun, Sealskinz and Showers Pass.
- Bridgedale StormSock Midweight Kneeknee cuff, midweight, medium cushion
- DexShell Longlite 2.0 Waterproof Knee Highknee high cuff, lightweight
- Randy Sun PROSHIELD Merino Knee High Waterproofknee high cuff
- Sealskinz Worstead Knee Lengthknee length cuff, midweight
- Showers Pass Cross Point Waterproof Classic Woolmid-calf cuff, full cushion
- DexShell Waterproof Wading Pro Knee-highknee-high cuff, medium cushion
Water comes in over the cuff, not through the sock: 20 of these reach mid-calf or the knee, for deeper puddles and wet grass. Compare the first two
Try the thinnest waterproof socks
Three layers take more room than one sock, and your shoes are already snug. 6 waterproof socks here are lightweight or have no cushion and a boot-height cuff, from Bridgedale, DexShell, Randy Sun and Showers Pass. Try one in your shoes before the trip; if it crowds your toes, an ordinary sock and a dry spare is the other way.
- DexShell Longlite 2.0 Waterproof Knee Highknee high cuff, lightweight
- Randy Sun FLEX Waterproof Mid Calfmid calf cuff
- Bridgedale StormSock Lightweight Bootboot cuff, lightweight, no cushion
- Showers Pass Cross Point Superlight Waterproofcrew cuff, lightweight
- DexShell Thermlite 2.0 Waterproof Crewcrew cuff, lightweight
- DexShell Ultra Thin Crew Waterproofcrew cuff
Water comes in over the cuff, not through the sock: 2 of these reach mid-calf or the knee, for deeper puddles and wet grass. Compare the first two
A thicker waterproof sock for cold, wet days
Cold rain soaks a shoe and the sock inside it. A membrane keeps the knit next to your foot dry, so it keeps its warmth. 15 waterproof socks here are midweight, heavyweight or made for cold weather, from Bridgedale, DexShell and Sealskinz. They are the thickest of the type, so check the fit in your shoes.
- Bridgedale StormSock Midweight Kneeknee cuff, midweight, medium cushion
- Sealskinz Worstead Knee Lengthknee length cuff, midweight
- DexShell Hytherm Pro Waterproof Mid Calfmid calf cuff, heavyweight, full cushion
- DexShell Terrain Walking 2.0 Waterproof Mid Calfmid calf cuff, midweight, medium cushion
- DexShell Waterproof Trekking Mid Calfmid calf cuff, midweight, medium cushion
- Sealskinz Briston Mid Lengthmid length cuff, midweight
Water comes in over the cuff, not through the sock: 12 of these reach mid-calf or the knee, for deeper puddles and wet grass. Compare the first two
Skip the waterproof sock here
Water that tops the cuff fills a membrane sock, and it stays inside. For wading above a sock’s cuff, the other way works better: a thin wool or synthetic sock in shoes that let water out, and a dry pair kept in a bag for camp. If your crossings stay below the knee, 5 knee-high waterproof socks here reach highest.
A waterproof sock will not help with sweat
A membrane keeps out water from outside; it does nothing for sweat from your own foot. Look at thin, light socks instead, and plan a change of pair on long days.
Your boots already have the membrane
Waterproof boots keep rain out, so inside them wear the sock you would wear on a dry day. A waterproof sock adds a second membrane and more bulk; it earns its place only when your boots have started to leak.
