Need sock recommendation......

[Fondueset]

I've got Parkway Scuba socks I got for 15 dollars at a clearance sale. Really durable - the souls are some kind of heavy olive green nylon weave - the ankles are smoothskin and seal well. Durable like slippers but flexible. I've been using henderson gold-core 6.5mil five finger gloves. I'm sure they are not as warm as the elios 3 finger jobs, but they do quite well really - as long as I remember to open and close my hands now and again to get warm water out to the fingertips.

[khel]

if anyone is interested.... :P

Well, with so many choices, it took me awhile to make my mind

As a result, I got Spetton socks (E-50 Gold Termic – 5 mm, open cell inside with Gold thermic coating and nylon outside)


Overall, I'm very happy with quality (good communication with spetton-usa was a plus too ), too bad they don't have the same model in 3mm, or I'd buy it too.

As for gloves..... I decided to risk a bit, and ordered something that I've never heard about before - Henderson Insta Dry gloves (5mm).
The "gamble" turned out much better than I expected First of all, there's no zippers/flaps/etc. - a very big plus.
On inside, it looks a lot like open-cell, and maybe it is, though henderson calls it "Black Gold inner lining".
On outside, it's "Micro Mesh high carbon" or meshed rubber as I'd call it. So, the seal with wetsuit is very good.
Overall, those are the best gloves I've ever tried

[tylerz]

Hmm, I ordered Elios gloves and socks a couple years ago, and as Jon mentioned I find the socks horrible for slipping around in (the stitch runs along the center of the foot, therefore it is not form fitted; for simple manufacturing), the gloves are nice fitting (3-finger style). But at the end of the day, warmth is what I care about. However, I am still undecided about their effectiveness in that arena, mainly because I have not tried much else. They are open-cell inside, nylon outside, and I am not sure what type of neoprene. I ordered 5mm for both socks and gloves. Yet, I still find my feet and hands are my limiting factor in diving and not only that, but it is limiting too soon in my interests. I dive with them in waters generally no less than 6 degrees, and after 1-1.5 hours, I generally have to take a break and go to shore to warm up my feet and hands. Meaning my hands and/or feet are rock hard and at risk of being damaged if I don't stop diving.

So, none of the comments so far have attested what water temperature and how long in it, is suitable for their favourite gloves and socks. I am suspecting that maybe it is not my equipment so much as my physique.

Cheers,

Tyler

[BatRay]

Greet thread guys; I've been thinking about the sock question myself. My 2mm socks aren't so great, and they tend to cut the circulation in my toes while I'm diving, so an alternative would be nice .

[Mr. X]

Originally Posted by tylerz

Hmm, I ordered Elios gloves and socks a couple years ago, and as Jon mentioned I find the socks horrible for slipping around in (the stitch runs along the center of the foot, therefore it is not form fitted; ...

I have Elios socks too but they don't have the centre foot stitching that Tyler's have. 3 piece design: front, back & sole. The sole section has a plastic grip pattern which is a good feature for us shore divers - providing reinforcement & grip. I got my socks with my suit but I have since found my local supplier carries Elios socks - not sure if the design is the same though (I think possibly not). My feet do slip around a bit in them - not a problem once the fins are on; I suspect the reason is that (1) they are little too big (XL) - large would have been better and (2) the nylon liner (double lined).

I also like the look (but not the price) of these one of the DeeperBlue store:
http://www.scubastore.com/product.as...hbx=subfamilia

The open cell outer looks cool (probably not tough though ) - probably easy to get into a wet fin & harder to get into a dry fin(?). The feature I really like is the kevlar reinforced sole grip -- great idea for the pebbly beaches I have visited recently (although I usually stick shoes on to get to the water).

[samdive]

I got some Picasso 5ml socks - they are hard to get on but ridiculously warm. They have them on www.scubastore.com

they even fit inside my monofin which I wasn't expecting!

If your socks are getting worn out walking up beaches then you need a pair of crocs to go with them

www.crocs.com

; )

[shoutatthesky]

No not crocs please no crocs!!!! I wear Tevas. They are awesome.

What is the best sock for use with a monofin. I am talking about pool use so warmth is not an issue. Does anybody use a sock just for prevention of rubbing? I wear 3mm 'Atlantis' socks with my bi-fins but I hear energy transfer is much better without a sock, and that this is more of an issue with a monofin.

[monkeyhatfork]

For my mono I use a modified sock, took a sock and cut the first 3 1/2inches off the toes(shorter than a half sock) and I just use that tip I cut off. It wasn't so much to combat rubbing,my pocket(traditional open heel) fit super snug exept for the toes so this keeps them snug as well but I suppose it could combat rubbing as too. Since the majority of my foot is in direct contact with the pocket there is not really any issue with the power tranfer-also with a full sock I can't get my foot all the way into the pocket. When I go sockless I have to make sure I shave the little tufts of hair on the nuckles of my toes and have had no tears/blistering etc. I grew up bodyboarding and would tear up my feet almost every go out especially with viper fins, maybe my toes are so scarred they don't tear anymore. Have used a variety of brands no real notable difference I just go with cheapest usually.