Waterproofing for feet

Clever Pun

After yesterday I need to get some overshoes or something of that ilk...

Any suggestions would be appreciated... especially before it rains like that again

thanks guys

Mog Uk

I discovered yesterday ( and this morning ) that my current overshoes are not fully waterproof so I'm about to order these...


http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 0Overshoes

charliechalk

I had some of those Endura ones last winter. They were waterproof for about a week, from then on they began to fall apart. Waste of money if you ask me. Going to look at something a bit more expensive for this winter.

Mog Uk

:shock:

Goes back to the drawing board and looks at other products......

whome

Try breathable waterproof socks, e.g. gortex. I've had this recommended by serious walkers before - haven't tested it cycling myself yet.

In theory it has the advantage that the shoe/boot whatever keeps the dirt etc off which prolongs the waterproofing and breathability of the fabric.

phil_ss1

I use some cheaper "wind proof/shower proof" overshoes which do fine if it's just started raining, even quite heavy rain.

but if it's been raining and the roads are soaked then I use two sandwhich (i.e thin) plastic bags on my feet first, then the overshoes (so you don't look like a numpty). The bags cause no issue when I stamp on the SPD pedals and my feet stay dry :idea:

BUT.... the water usually then runs down my legs and into my shoes

Don't like trousers on until cold. :roll:

Phil

hamboman

whome wrote:

Try breathable waterproof socks, e.g. gortex. I've had this recommended by serious walkers before - haven't tested it cycling myself yet.

In theory it has the advantage that the shoe/boot whatever keeps the dirt etc off which prolongs the waterproofing and breathability of the fabric.

Only works if you wear waterproof trousers, otherwise the water just runs down your leg and into the sock!

daniel_b

I have a pair of those Endura's, and they live in my rack bag.

For the money I reckon they are pretty good, I take a size 10 shoe, and got the size from 9-10 (L) I think it was, and it's snug, but then it's meant to be, otherwise you have spare material flapping about.

I have used them about 6 times so far, best test was yesterday morning, and no complaints so far, and best of all, no wet feet!

I have teamed them up with a pair of these, which are awesome - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=11429

Going by the rain falling now, I think i will be needing them in about an hour.

Have also bought a pair of these, but haven't tried them yet: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... ertrousers

Dan

Clever Pun

whome wrote:

Try breathable waterproof socks, e.g. gortex. I've had this recommended by serious walkers before - haven't tested it cycling myself yet.

In theory it has the advantage that the shoe/boot whatever keeps the dirt etc off which prolongs the waterproofing and breathability of the fabric.

going down that route I could just take an extra pair of dry sock for the journey home... I want something to keep the whole lot dry

seems a lot of the products go on about warm but skirt the waterproof issue a bit for my liking

whome

Fresh socks are not that same as you still get wet feet.
With goretex socks your feet stay dry and you can't feel the shoes are wet.

afelstead

I use a pair of Enduras that are a few years old, similar to these

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 20Overshoe

Keep your feet really warm (great protection from the wind) and are fairly water proof (just make sure you do them up tightly! - Otherwise the water runs down your leg into your shoe).

Added benefit is that my shoes last longer and are better protected.

dazzawazza

I've got some overshoes, but they’re a hassle to put on and in very heavy rain they aren't that water proof. They’re good to keep at work for unexpected storms, but not a good winter solution.
I'm thinking of getting some fully water proof thermal SPD boots / shoes for the winter. A quick browse on the Internet suggests that they aren't that cheap.
Does anyone know of some good deals on at the moment?

IsledeBlanc

dazzawazza wrote:

I've got some overshoes, but they’re a hassle to put on and in very heavy rain they aren't that water proof. They’re good to keep at work for unexpected storms, but not a good winter solution.
I'm thinking of getting some fully water proof thermal SPD boots / shoes for the winter. A quick browse on the Internet suggests that they aren't that cheap.
Does anyone know of some good deals on at the moment?

If you're a UK 9, I bought a pair of Northwave waterproof/thermal road boots about two years ago on the internet. Tried them on, too small, never got round to sending them back. They're unused and sitting in the box with the SPD fitting bits. Would be happy to let them go for a modest sum. Here are the most similar ones I could find from their current range;

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... TX%20Boots

dazzawazza

Unfortunately size 9 is too big, I'm 7-7.5. Thanks for the offer.

Evans are currently have the Northwave boots on special for £70 so I might make a few calls to see if any of their stores have my size in stock. I would prefer to try shoes at a shop rather than risk it over the Internet. I'm quite bad at returning stuff and usually put up with a bad fit.

The Northwave Celsius has a chunky sole with SPD, so is more comfortable when off the bike. Are the Northwave boots good quality and very water proof?

killiekosmos

Aldi overshoes go on sale Thursday. Worth a try as they are cheap.

secretsam

plastic bags from TEsco, wrapped tightly and secured with trouser clips

Nice. Dry.

Discovered: Glastonbury Festical, 1997...

Crapaud

I've had a pair of Endura overshoes for 4-5 years and it's only now that they're starting to leak. I use them in combination with a pair of Sealskinz socks. The overshoes keep the worst of the wet out and the socks take care of the rest. It's a winning combination that's worked for me over 4 winters and some long, wet day rides.

Personally, I wouldn't use plastic bags - they keep the sweat in, make my feet cold and, over a prolonged period, give me trench foot!

pompey-dude

I bought some Gore-Tex socks about 15 years ago, cost me £30 then.
I have to say, they have been the best things I've ever bought. I've used them at all sorts of things and events.
Excellent for cold days in normal shoes.
I have only just replaced them. The new ones are not as tight at the top though, so they have a tendency to let the water that runs down the leg in, but I'm going to try some sort of elastic thingy, possibly the reflective bands, and some sort of leg warmer, so the water runs over the top of the sock and away.
But my old ones were excellent, even in a downpour and no mudguards.
I was going to go for over kill with the whole sealskins, Gore-Tex socks and over shoe combo.
That should keep, it out.

richardjallen

I have two pairs of Sealskins waterproof socks. They are warm on winter days and can work except one of them lets water through near the big toe.

adifiddler

I think overshoes are aimed with the issue of keeping your feet warm.

Gortex socks are great in there but often cause problems for some users, they are not always the most comfortable thing to wear and they dont stop water running down your legs and filling them with water unless you wear waterproof trousers that cover the top of the sock.

Sealskinz socks are a good idea but are often too bulky and make your feet nearly a size bigger which is a problem with cycle shoes that are designed to fit snugly.

Forget dry feet go for warm feet and carry a change of socks.

Gambatte

Take it the overshoes still allow you to use SPDs etc?

adifiddler

yeah most do

Browneaves

I bought a pair of the Shimano waterproof boots 2 winters ago and they are almost perfect in the rain. And importantly in winter, after the rain, while there are still great puddles about. And not bad when it is not raining.

They were really really expensive, but worth it.

Yellow Cliff

I have some waterproof overshoes (can't remember the brand) which don't leak - but water does get in through the sole and top. However, the most important issue for me is that my shoes don't get too wet since drying them out for the next day/evening is tricky.

As long as my feet are warm I don't care about whether they are wet (it is only the shoe issue that worries me). I have a pair of neoprene socks which work really well when wet, not so good when it is dry though.

gmjmt

I read at other sites that breathable socks (posters used Sealskin) and sandals, not shoes, were quite good. Sandals prevented any water accumulation that can happen in a shoe or boot. Add more socks as needed for insulation under the Sealskin socks if it is cold.

http://www.cyclingforums.com/t299341.html
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-228861.html

dazzawazza

Does anyone have any suggestions for waterproofing existing standard cycling shoes?
I have some SPD shoes I got from Lidl, but they are a size to big so I don't wear them.
However with thick winter socks they should be ok for commuting.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to waterproof the mesh and other parts of the shoe, as well as preventing water running down the leg into the shoe?
I don't care about breathability as I will only wear them in the winter.

Crapaud

dazzawazza wrote:

Does anyone have any suggestions for waterproofing existing standard cycling shoes?
I have some SPD shoes I got from Lidl, but they are a size to big so I don't wear them.
However with thick winter socks they should be ok for commuting.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to waterproof the mesh and other parts of the shoe, as well as preventing water running down the leg into the shoe?
I don't care about breathability as I will only wear them in the winter.

I doubt that you could waterproof them; they're designed to breath, but your shoe size seems ideal for my waterproof socks / overshoes combo! I once arrived in work covered in frost (I looked like I'd been left out overnight), but my feet were toasty warm and dry.

blorg

I used BBB Waterflex Overshoes all last winter. Utterly waterproof even in torrential downpours, shoes underneath still look like new. Not expensive either.

Gambatte

The aldi overshoes are packaged with a 'cycling cap' £4.99

izthewiz

dazzawazza wrote:

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to waterproof the mesh and other parts of the shoe, as well as preventing water running down the leg into the shoe?
I don't care about breathability as I will only wear them in the winter.

My solution to the 'water running down leg making socks wet even inside 100% waterproof overshoes/socks' problem is using scuba diving drysuit ankle cuffs (here: http://www.sailboats.co.uk/Product~Late ... 54026.html )over the top edge of the overshoe. Pull the cuff on first to about mid-calf, put on footwear/overshoes, pull bigger bit of cuff over top of overshe/waterproof sock.

With Sealskinz socks and this cuff arrangement, I have kept dry feet whilst wading a knee-deep stream! (the lower edge of my shorts didn't take long to dry, either)

I don't have hairy ankles though, so that might make a difference.

Gadge

<plastic bags from TEsco, wrapped tightly and secured with trouser clips >

Don't be so sad. At least be a bit less down market.... and get them from Waitrose like me ;-) Tried M+S too which although thinnish come in a nice "cycling" yellow. Don't own trouser clips so just wrap them around my socks and tuck them in the shoes as best as poss.

This is an especially useful wheeze when commuting in again with fabric cycling shoes still soaking wet from yesterday's ride.

Mind you, the bike porn in this thread re Goretex socks and all that is starting to get my desire valves throbbing. Leave it, leave it, just walk away from the PC now.