Sealskinz Waterproof Socks, Gloves & Clothing

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Sealskinz has been making waterproof accessories in Norfolk for more than 25 years, and the socks are still the thing it is known for — a waterproof membrane bonded between a nylon outer and a

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Sealskinz waterproof socks and how they work

Three layers. A durable nylon exterior with four-way stretch, a waterproof breathable membrane in the middle, and a merino wool and acrylic interior against the foot — Sealskinz calls the construction Aquasealz and makes it at its factory in King's Lynn. The membrane keeps water out while letting sweat and heat escape, which matters more than it sounds: a sock that is waterproof but not breathable leaves your foot wet from the inside and cold anyway. The Hydrostop models add an elastic band inside the cuff that stops water running down your leg and in over the top, which is the usual way a waterproof sock fails. Worth knowing that some people find that cuff band rubs over a long day, which is Sealskinz's own caveat rather than ours.

Sealskinz gloves, caps and cold weather hats

The gloves follow the same principle as the socks. The Drayton gauntlet is the winter option, cut long at the cuff to go over a sleeve rather than under it, and the Paston perforated palm glove is the lighter one for cycling and cool rather than cold days. On headwear, the Salle and Ranworth caps fold flat enough to go in a pocket, which is the point of them — the Salle is waterproof, the Ranworth is quick-dry rather than sealed. The Upton puffer hat is the deep winter piece, insulated and waterproof, for standing about in weather rather than moving through it.

Sealskinz clothing: jackets, fleece and polos

The clothing line is newer than the accessories and worth understanding as a separate proposition. There are two levels of protection and the names tell you which: the Trimingham puffer rain jacket, Burlingham packable and Shernborne overhead jacket are waterproof, while the Bawburgh, Deopham, Hockering, Snettisham and Whissonsett pieces are water repellent — they will shrug off a shower and are not for a downpour. Beneath those sit the Toney, Geldeston and Stow fleeces, the Bunwell and Forncett half-zips, and the Swainsthorpe hiking trousers. The polos and jacquard shirts are the least outdoor thing here and are cut as ordinary clothing. Every product is named after a Norfolk village, which is either useful or infuriating depending on whether you know the county.

Browse all socks, see headwear, or look at gloves.

Sealskinz FAQs

Yes, within limits. The three-layer construction puts a waterproof membrane between a nylon outer and a merino wool inner, so water cannot get through the fabric. Where water does get in is over the top of the cuff — which is what the Hydrostop band on some models is there to prevent. They are also breathable, so sweat escapes rather than leaving your foot wet from the inside.
An elastic taping inside the cuff of the sock that grips the leg and stops water running down and in over the top. It is the difference between a sock that keeps water out of the fabric and one that keeps your foot dry. Sealskinz notes that in rare cases the close contact between the band and skin can cause rubbing over a long day.
At the company's own factory in King's Lynn, Norfolk. The waterproof socks and overshoes are made there; other parts of the range are produced elsewhere. Product names across the collection are Norfolk villages, which is where the brand has been based throughout.
Machine wash with the rest of your kit — Sealskinz states that no special detergent or line drying is required. Avoid fabric softener, which coats fibres and can affect how the membrane breathes.
Waterproof means a membrane stops water passing through, and Sealskinz uses the word on the socks, gloves and the Trimingham, Burlingham and Shernborne jackets. Water repellent means a surface treatment makes water bead and run off, which handles a shower and not a sustained downpour. The product names on this page say which is which.