I think I've had a brainwave for wet weather cycling

SimonAH

What about a pair of these?

http://www.oceanicworldwide.com/p_boots_neoclassic.html



As I use toeclips rather than clipless these should be fine and TOTALLY waterproof. With a set of overtrousers the water should run down and over.

My only real concern is how long before the neoprene gets wrecked against the toe straps and if sweaty feet will result. Still, I can get a pair for £35 on the 'bay so I reckon it has to be done.........I'll report back.

meanredspider

If they're anything like neoprene gloves, they've be very sweaty.

fishz

I don't think neoprene is waterproof. Dive suits, gloves and booties all work by keeping a layer of water against your body that heats up but doesn't wash away. Maybe an interesting experiment in summer, but don't try going out in those in this weather!

Initialised

Neoprene is water proof, insulating foam, I use it to protect electronics from condensation under extreme cooling.

Like this

UndercoverElephant

I have a pair of these for winter/wet stuff:



They're really pretty waterproof, as the built-in overshoes have an draw string to keep them tight. They weren't too much more than that to buy, either.

gbsahne001

Tried my diving boots in 2009 and if the ones you're looking at are anything like mine then they wont work. The soles are too thin and not rigid enough, the material whilst being waterproof is not windproof, so mine weren't that warm either.

Initialised

UndercoverElephant wrote:

I have a pair of these for winter/wet stuff:



They're really pretty waterproof, as the built-in overshoes have an draw string to keep them tight. They weren't too much more than that to buy, either.

Do you have a link to these?

UndercoverElephant

Initialised wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

I have a pair of these for winter/wet stuff:



They're really pretty waterproof, as the built-in overshoes have an draw string to keep them tight. They weren't too much more than that to buy, either.

Do you have a link to these?

Here you go: http://rover.ebay.co.uk/rover/1/710-673 ... dZViewItem

cyberknight

Dammit 3 bolt , i use spd`s

nvm they do 2 bolt , worth keeping an eye on

Sailorchick

fishz wrote:

I don't think neoprene is waterproof. Dive suits, gloves and booties all work by keeping a layer of water against your body that heats up but doesn't wash away. Maybe an interesting experiment in summer, but don't try going out in those in this weather!

With my other sport being sailing I spend most of my weekends wearing neoprene - it definitely is not waterproof!

Mark Elvin

Sailorchick wrote:

fishz wrote:

I don't think neoprene is waterproof. Dive suits, gloves and booties all work by keeping a layer of water against your body that heats up but doesn't wash away. Maybe an interesting experiment in summer, but don't try going out in those in this weather!

With my other sport being sailing I spend most of my weekends wearing neoprene - it definitely is not waterproof!

Pictures please.......

cyberknight

Sailorchick wrote:

fishz wrote:

I don't think neoprene is waterproof. Dive suits, gloves and booties all work by keeping a layer of water against your body that heats up but doesn't wash away. Maybe an interesting experiment in summer, but don't try going out in those in this weather!

With my other sport being sailing I spend most of my weekends wearing neoprene - it definitely is not waterproof!

If you had said you wear rubber i would have read the thread with more interest !

Butterd2

Sailorchick wrote:

fishz wrote:

I don't think neoprene is waterproof. Dive suits, gloves and booties all work by keeping a layer of water against your body that heats up but doesn't wash away. Maybe an interesting experiment in summer, but don't try going out in those in this weather!

With my other sport being sailing I spend most of my weekends wearing neoprene - it definitely is not waterproof!

Sorry but neoprene is waterproof. If it's made into a wetsuit then that is not waterproof because water gets in through the seams and down the neck, up sleaves/legs and through the zip.

If however the same neoprene is made into a drysuit such as the Northern Diver one sat in my loft, the seams are sealed, the boots incorporated into the suit, the neck and wrists have watertight seals and the very expensive zips are waterproof. In that instance I can assure that neoprene is totally waterproof down to 60m+.

The downside is that it is waterproof in both directions so you will sweat badly and then wallow around in it.

Clever Pun

I've got the northwave goretex boots, very waterproof except for the large opening at the top with over trousers this morning though, very dry. I don't like the closing mechanism on them though(I've broken both drawstring bits and have had to knot them)

I'm thinking about upgrading to the Sidi Diablos cause they look the business and I'm a bit of a brand whore. Anyone got any experience with them? also cheap links would be appr

Monkeypump

Initialised wrote:

Neoprene is water proof, insulating foam, I use it to protect electronics from condensation under extreme cooling.

Like this

BTW, you've got a double-negative in your first bullet point on that linky...

soundninjauk

The whole is neoprene waterproof or not I think comes down to what kind of neoprene it is. I can't remember the exact terminology, but you can get neoprene with two coverings. One is has a rubbery and water resistant layer/skin on top, and one has a simple fabric (and decidedly not water resistant) skin.

Generally where wetsuits are involved, slick is good because it doesn't soak in the water quite so much, and dries very quickly in the wind, leading to a lack of windchill once you're out of the water. The non-slick stuff stays wet a lot longer, and basically holds the water like a sponge.

However, of the two wetsuits I own only my gigantically warm winter wetsuit is made entirely of the slick stuff (and depending on how well the seals stay sealed, I tend to stay pretty dry underneath it, the seals can't be quite so hardcore as a dive suit incase of epic seal popping wipeout but the zip is one of those hardcore brass types), my spring/summer/autumn one is a mix of the two.

Long story short, it depends on the type. However, yes it does work by trapping a layer of water next to the skin, and no I wouldn't trust it to stay waterproof indefinitely.

Full disclosure: I've spent many many hours wearing these things as a windsurfer/sailor over the years.

ebt

Neoprene itself IS waterproof, its basically a compound that is "blown" full of bubbles to create an insulating fabric. The linings that are then applied can 'trap' water, but they cant teleport it through the neoprene. Most Neo drysuits are lined, to improve abrasion resistance and they are totally waterproof (you really dont want to tear a hole in your suit in the channel whilst you're attempting to squeeze inside a wreck).

If neoprene itself is leaking, its broken down (happens with age/repeated folding, or it can tear if it catches on something). Also, as Butterd said, you'll get water in via zip gaps, and ankle/wrists, unless you use a dryzip or put a seal on the cuff/ankle/neck/wherever.

Back to the topic, i wouldnt bother with diving boots, but if you really must, make sure you wear socks under them... you can wear skin away by rubbing on lined neoprene repeatedly. It bloody hurts. Oh and your feet will honk from all the sweat you'll be retaining in there (hey, its a good excuse, right?!)

Full disclosure, far too many years diving and repairing suits than I care to mention.

Initialised

Monkeypump wrote:

Initialised wrote:

Neoprene is water proof, insulating foam, I use it to protect electronics from condensation under extreme cooling.

Like this

BTW, you've got a double-negative in your first bullet point on that linky...

Not my site, just an example. Maybe I can sue them for all the hardware I fried....

Headhuunter

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Initialised wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

I have a pair of these for winter/wet stuff:



They're really pretty waterproof, as the built-in overshoes have an draw string to keep them tight. They weren't too much more than that to buy, either.

Do you have a link to these?

Here you go: http://rover.ebay.co.uk/rover/1/710-673 ... dZViewItem

Interesting but what the hell is an "anti-tendonitis heel-cup"?? How on earth does that work!

UndercoverElephant

Headhuunter wrote:

Interesting but what the hell is an "anti-tendonitis heel-cup"?? How on earth does that work!

I have no idea! My guess would be that the actual shoe bit ( as in not the overshoe bit) has a slightly strange shape around the ankle. It goes up on the inside-side of the ankle, so it's asymmetric. It feels really supportive and comfortable, but I wouldn't buy ordinary shoes that did it, as they'd look odd. But obviously they've hidden it inside the overshoe.

I really like them, but they are quite small for the given size, and are fairly narrow too.

Edit: Actually the heel bit on the outside has a little diagram on and the words, "Ergonomic support", that's probably it.

Headhuunter

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

Interesting but what the hell is an "anti-tendonitis heel-cup"?? How on earth does that work!

I have no idea! My guess would be that the actual shoe bit ( as in not the overshoe bit) has a slightly strange shape around the ankle. It goes up on the inside-side of the ankle, so it's asymmetric. It feels really supportive and comfortable, but I wouldn't buy ordinary shoes that did it, as they'd look odd. But obviously they've hidden it inside the overshoe.

I really like them, but they are quite small for the given size, and are fairly narrow too.

Edit: Actually the heel bit on the outside has a little diagram on and the words, "Ergonomic support", that's probably it.

Oh.... I didn't even think cycling caused tendonitis, sounds like they're addressing a problem that doesn't exist. Ah well, as long as they're comfy and keep you dry!

UndercoverElephant

Headhuunter wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

Interesting but what the hell is an "anti-tendonitis heel-cup"?? How on earth does that work!

I have no idea! My guess would be that the actual shoe bit ( as in not the overshoe bit) has a slightly strange shape around the ankle. It goes up on the inside-side of the ankle, so it's asymmetric. It feels really supportive and comfortable, but I wouldn't buy ordinary shoes that did it, as they'd look odd. But obviously they've hidden it inside the overshoe.

I really like them, but they are quite small for the given size, and are fairly narrow too.

Edit: Actually the heel bit on the outside has a little diagram on and the words, "Ergonomic support", that's probably it.

Oh.... I didn't even think cycling caused tendonitis, sounds like they're addressing a problem that doesn't exist. Ah well, as long as they're comfy and keep you dry!

Me neither, at least not in the Achilles, however, according to this:

http://www.thestretchinghandbook.com/ar ... is-pt1.php

Stretching handbook wrote:

The sports that are most susceptible to Achilles injury include running, walking, cycling, football, basketball and tennis.

cjcp

FAIL

cougie

Or you can just get waterproof overshoes to go over your cycling shoes ? Cheaper and more versatile.

I have boots similar to that for kayaking - waterproof unless you go too deep.

And I have a wetsuit for IM triathlon - its waterproof apart from the zip and the collars.

Headhuunter

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

Interesting but what the hell is an "anti-tendonitis heel-cup"?? How on earth does that work!

I have no idea! My guess would be that the actual shoe bit ( as in not the overshoe bit) has a slightly strange shape around the ankle. It goes up on the inside-side of the ankle, so it's asymmetric. It feels really supportive and comfortable, but I wouldn't buy ordinary shoes that did it, as they'd look odd. But obviously they've hidden it inside the overshoe.

I really like them, but they are quite small for the given size, and are fairly narrow too.

Edit: Actually the heel bit on the outside has a little diagram on and the words, "Ergonomic support", that's probably it.

Oh.... I didn't even think cycling caused tendonitis, sounds like they're addressing a problem that doesn't exist. Ah well, as long as they're comfy and keep you dry!

Me neither, at least not in the Achilles, however, according to this:

http://www.thestretchinghandbook.com/ar ... is-pt1.php

Stretching handbook wrote:

The sports that are most susceptible to Achilles injury include running, walking, cycling, football, basketball and tennis.

Interesting.... I'll probably get it now that I know the potential's there....

lastant

UndercoverElephant wrote:

I have a pair of these for winter/wet stuff:

*PICTURE*

They're really pretty waterproof, as the built-in overshoes have an draw string to keep them tight.

Right, I'm tempted. Just a couple of questions (sorry!)...

How do they cope to a rush of water, let's say the sort of rush you get when you run through a puddle for ten metres or so and usually drench the feet you'd just thought you'd done well to keep dry?

And...I'm a size 10 normal trainer, would the 44's be a reasonable fit?

Headhuunter

cjcp wrote:

FAIL

In Japan you could actually buy umbrella bracket things which attached to the bike to hold your umbrella over your head as you cycled in the rain! They were fairly common...

cjcp

Headhuunter wrote:

cjcp wrote:

FAIL

In Japan you could actually buy umbrella bracket things which attached to the bike to hold your umbrella over your head as you cycled in the rain! They were fairly common...

UndercoverElephant

lastant wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

I have a pair of these for winter/wet stuff:

*PICTURE*

They're really pretty waterproof, as the built-in overshoes have an draw string to keep them tight.

Right, I'm tempted. Just a couple of questions (sorry!)...

How do they cope to a rush of water, let's say the sort of rush you get when you run through a puddle for ten metres or so and usually drench the feet you'd just thought you'd done well to keep dry?

And...I'm a size 10 normal trainer, would the 44's be a reasonable fit?

I run full mudguards on the commuter, the main drenchings I get are going through a too deep puddle at high speed. I've had tights soaked to the skin and my feet are still no more than mildly damp. In fact, I actually think this is more that my feet were a little sweaty and I was really looking out for dampness due to haw wet the rest of me was.

I've never had to put on wet shoes since I bought them. Ever. They don't need to go on the radiator even, they're that dry.

As for the sizing, I'd go bigger. I usually wear a 9 and the 44's are the right length for me.

rjsterry

Headhuunter wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Stretching handbook wrote:

The sports that are most susceptible to Achilles injury include running, walking, cycling, football, basketball and tennis.

Interesting.... I'll probably get it now that I know the potential's there....

Have suffered from tendonitis in my achilles after a weekend of walking and cycling in Derbyshire. A long walk around Monsal Dale one day, then a ride out to Calke Abbey and Repton the next day. Felt fine until about an hour after the ride, when my achilles started swelling up. Spent the next two days hobbling around like an invalid, and about a fortnight or more having to take it very easy.

kim10

To the OP. I have a pair of Oceanic boots very similar to these for scuba diving (mine is without the heavy duty sole), and I think you are wasting your money. They will not keep out the water and I also think you will sweat a lot in them and finally they will definitely not be windproof which could make you feet cold on longer rides.

Having said that they will make for an excellent pair of diving boots if you do a lot of shore based diving!!