WINTER SCIENCE

Waterproof socks (see EDZ, Showers Pass and Bridgedale) usually consist of three elements: a knitted exterior sock, a waterproof membrane and a knitted interior sock. Because the outer and inner socks must be thick enough to protect the waterproof membrane from abrasion, waterproof socks tend to be thicker than normal walking socks. Some used to have a slightly plasticky feel when worn due to the toughness of the nylon outer, but times have changed: in the case of all three mentioned here, you’ll barely feel a difference between these and standard hiking socks – which is great.