Hmmm, I went for Elios socks as well and have 3mm and 5mm socks. I have been using them in 4-12 degree celcius water so far and to tell you the truth, I have not been that impressed. First after all the wonderful tailoring used on their suits, they sew the sock as two halfs of the same pattern. Meaning you have the seam running down the middle of the foot, which does not form fit at all. Due to the flexibility of the material if you get a snug size, then yes it does sit ok, but walking on them my foot constantly wants to slide inside so that I am walking on the side of the sock. I imagine it would be easier to walk in a form fitted open-cell sock as opposed to these. Maybe Elios does a different sew than this, but they didn't tell me about it? Donna is this the same on yours?
Second, my feet are always what cause me to feel the need to stop my dive still with 5mm and another pair of standard neoprene 2mm socks. However, in 6-8 degrees I was often still out there for 45min to an hour and a half, so maybe that is a reasonable amount of time before the inevitable. Maybe I am just forgetting what it used to feel like when I only wore the standard neoprene socks.
Third, my socks, being size 46, run half-way up my shins and are too large for my Canadian size 12-13 foot. I worry every time I put them on that I might tear my suit as I fold up the leg to get the sock on under the suit. Anneko has size 42 which also seem a little large for her foot but don't run as high on the shins. I put her socks on and might take that size next time if I went for these socks again, since they are snug and fit as I would expect the sock to, a little short on the toes though maybe.
I would really like to hear if others have found a nice fitting Elios sock and how you achieved ordering it (special request, material, sizing, cost, pattern)?
That being said, their 3 finger open-cell kanoko gloves are wonderful, and of course same with their suits.