Being based in the UK, Endura knows a thing or two about soggy, wet conditions. With that, their Hummvee Waterproof Socks II are made to keep your feet warm and dry without fussing with overshoes. I’ve tested other waterproof socks before, but has Endura cracked the code with their new design? I’m thinking they have.
Endura Hummvee Waterproof Socks II Features:
- 3-Layer construction
- Waterproof, highly breathable stretch membrane
- Stretch arch support
- Long length for maximum coverage
- Unpadded design is ideal for close fitting shoes
- Available in three colors and two sizes
- Nylon 45% / Polyester 42% / Elastane 13%
- MSRP: $49.99
Optimized for cold, wet days
When temperatures drop or weather rolls in, kitting up for a ride takes on a whole different challenge. Oftentimes, just getting ready for the ride takes as long as the ride (well, not really, but it takes awhile). One of the more frustrating parts of that process is putting on overshoes. Endura’s Hummvee Waterproof Socks II aim to reduce or eliminate the need for overshoes. So, do they? For my purposes, the answer has been yes.
As waterproof membranes have become more and more flexible and stretchy, waterproof socks have become more and more viable. Previous iterations have been bulky and uncomfortable, but these socks are relatively thin (all things considered) and mostly feel like a midweight winter sock. Slipping them on, yes, you can tell that they have a thin membrane sandwiched in there, but it’s not obtrusive. The only thing you’ll notice is where the membrane is welded together crosswise under your toes. That sensation mostly disappears in the saddle.
With the 3T Exploro RaceMax as my winter bike, I’ve been testing the Hummvee socks with the Shimano S-Phyre XC9 shoes. They feature a nice, wide forefoot and lend themselves well to these socks. A few clicks of the BOA dial and I was off into the cold.
Luckily, Utah is relatively dry — even with all the snow we receive. I can head out in the cold sunshine and enjoy a brisk ride at my leisure. So, my test rides have been exclusively in the cold with some intentional mid-ride soaking just for the sake of science.
Because the Hummvee Waterproof Socks II are full synthetic, they aren’t the warmest socks you’ll find. A touch of Merino Wool blend would help with added warmth, but may not be compatible with the other sock components. As it stands, I have been perfectly comfortable with my shoe/sock combo in the upper 30’s. High-speed road descents do get a little chilly, but overall they are still preferable to putting on a set of thick shoe covers.
For fun, I took my foot out of my shoe mid-ride and dabbed it into a wet, melting snowbank. For good measure, I emptied my water bottle on top of that foot and left it in the snow for several minutes. When I pulled stout, my sock was wet and cold, but my foot remained dry. As I rode off, I did notice a little added chill compared to the dry foot, but after that descent, my foot warmed up. Thirty minutes later in my garage, the sock was damp, but my toes were bone dry — so awesome. If you commonly commute in the rain or ride in inclement weather, these waterproof socks are great.
The Good
- Keeps your feet dry without overshoes
- Blocks wind and extreme chill
- Fits like a midweight sock
- Only barely noticeable
The Bad
- You’ll need a shoe with extra toebox width
- You can feel the membrane under your toes
- Your shoes will still get wet (but your feet will be dry)
The Bottom Line: Endura Hummvee Waterproof Socks II
These socks have been awesome this winter. Once they arrived, I didn’t even give my shoe covers a second look. Wrestling those neoprene contraptions are dead to me at this point — unless I explicitly want to keep my shoes dry. But, for 99% of cold or wet weather rides, the Endura Hummvee Waterproof Socks II are going to be my choice.
Buy Now: Available at JensonUSA
