I am in the final stages of getting my bivy pack together. I keep trying to prepare for a week of wet weather if needed. Last year on day 5 of hard rain, EVERYTHING was wet, even the waterproof stuff.

It was not pretty putting on my boots in the morning as they were wet and cold.

Has anyone ever tried neoprene socks? This just may be the ticket for those uncomfortable situations. With the lack of just about everything in the backcountry, one creature comfort may have a place in my pack. Any comments or experience with neoprene socks?

I've used them on canoe trips under wading shoes for a week at a time. I'm constantly in the water on portages. Putting on a pair of wet, cold neoprene socks in the morning is no treat. But, if you can dry them out the night before, they aren't a problem. Regardless, wet or dry, your feet warm them up quickly and they are comfortable all day. The down side is that after a day or so, they really REEK unless you turn them inside out,rinse them out and dry them on a regular basis. Another thing, they are thicker then fabric. Make sure your boots fit with them on.

They really REEK x2.

Your feet sweat something fierce in them doing any kind of activity.
Really would not reccomend them!

I would only use them if the rain got real bad, never thought of the smell factor, could be a problem. I am always looking for a better way to stay dry and warm while keeping the weight down. I pretty much have evreything nailed down to minimum wieght. This was one of those outside the box thoughts. I think I can get a weeks worth of items under 40lbs right now. Thanks for the responses.

I would go with quality wool over the neoprene. Try a pair of thin polypropelene liners under the wool. Wool will keep you warm even when wet, and doesn't create a sauna environment for your feet like neoprene.

x2 on the quality wool. Plus they're easier to dry.

I have used them. HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT and STINKY STINKY STINKY STINKY STINKY STINKY.

On the other hand...as the other guy mentioned, if your feet do get wet...they are A LOT more comfortable than regular wet socks.

This is same method I employ as well. The polypro socks wick the moisture away from you skin, but the wool still stays warm even if moist. Plus, with the double sock, blisters are pretty much non-existent.

I regularly wear Danner SealSkinz over a pair of Smartwool socks when hiking in tall grass in the mountains here. I've never had a problem with sweaty or stinky feet with this combination and my feet are always warm and dry at the end of the day. I highly recommend the SealSkinz but those are the only ones I recommend; everything else I've tested has been crap, especially GoreTex. I also pack a couple pairs of SealSkinz for float trips in case of leaky waders (either from a puncture or in through the big hole at the top) during the trip or as loaners if someone goes for an unexpected swim. They do get damp inside after a couple of days so it's good to have a second set so that you can turn the first inside out to dry while wearing the second, but the Smartwools wick the dampness away from your feet so that you never feel it and it is just "damp" not "soaked".

I'm trying to figure out where the Seal Skins are a benefit when hiking through the tall grass. Why doesn't Gore-Tex boots with wool socks underneath and the poly pro liners work here? Are you stepping in water that goes over the top of your boots?