John R Weiss wrote:
: "Mike B" wrote...
: Are these for paddling? Will his/her feet be getting wet?
:
: Would like to buy them a present of the absolute warmest socks there are.
:
: Don't know anything about this subject, but thought that this might be a
: good forum to ask in.
:
: What do I want:
:
: - all wool ?
:
: - the "thermal" type of heard about (whatever that is) ?
:
: - or ?

: Look at "SealSkinz" at http://www.danalco.com/htmls/products/products.shtml.

: They come in several versions, including one that will keep your feet dry
: inside, even if the water goes over the top.

They are called "Water Blockers". They are OK but will leak
if you are moving in water for long time. They are not waterproof
for some peoples (depends on the shape of muscles). They also
tend to delaminate over time. Sounds like lots of disadvantage
but i found these socks useful for cold water. I try not to
walk in water for too long and i take them on and off carefully.
I also wear a short wool sock under the Water blockers. Even if
they leak, they limit water movement and keep you fairly warm.

I know someone who shipped a delaminated sock to Seal Skinz
and he got a replacement free. I cant guarantee it will always
be the same though.

Seal skinz make other supposedly water proof models but they
are not as good. Make sure you get "Water Blockers".

I heard stocks are sometime low because cyclist buy them all.
Also, these are kind of pricey. Around $50 CDN.

This is all for people who want to be warm when paddling but
i think the original poster wanted info for general usage.
I buy my boots a bit larger and wear thick wool socks over
thin polypro socks. The ones sold for mountaineering or
the ones sold for construction workers in winter. Both
are sold in specialised stores.

I hope this helps.
Sylvain

: I've found them at my local kayak rental/outfitting shop.