Dry feet needed

Dippydog3
Dippydog3 Posts: 414
edited November 2014 in Road buying advice
Clearly, overshoes are not going to do the job for me this winter.

I have been thinking of getting winter boots, but reading reviews on Northwave and Shimano it seems they are warm but still fill up with water.


Any suggestions? Must be SPD.

Comments

  • milleman
    milleman Posts: 181
    I have the Shimano winter boots with SPD's for mountain biking in winter, they are toasty warm BUT if the rain is torrential water will seep down the legs onto the top of the socks and wet your feet eventually.

    Apart from overtrousers I can't really see how you would prevent that.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Do you have mudguards and flaps ? If you don't then you're basically continually hosing yourself down all ride.

    All shoes/overshoes have great big holes to let you get your feet in.
  • dj58
    dj58 Posts: 2,223
    I had a pair of Sidi MTB winter boots and used them with Berghaus stretch gortex socks to good effect. I didn't find that they would fill up with water, though I was mainly using them for mud plugging. Alas they have finally bitten the dust/mud.

    I have a pair of Seal Skinz socks now and think they are good I use them with XC30 shoes for summer and M150 winter. I doubt you will ever achieve totally dry feet though. Someone posted a link to a dive suit supplier last week advising the use of ankle cuff/seal which looked interesting. If I find it I'll add to this post.

    Similar topic below.

    viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12998896&start=20

    http://www.drysuits.co.uk/Latex_Ankle_S ... le-ac1.htm
  • paul1000
    paul1000 Posts: 190
    It don't need to be torrential for nw gtx boots, just normal rain for your feet to get wet.
  • Dippydog3
    Dippydog3 Posts: 414
    Looks like I might go for Shimano MW81 or Northwave Celsius.

    Unfortunately I will have to buy two sizes of each and find the one that fits.

    I miss the good old days when shops had inventory.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    If you're not using mudguards with mudflaps, no winter boots is going to stop the hosing you'll get from the front wheel. I'll still put an overshoe over a winter boot if it's really filthy as it seals better around the ankle. 45Nrth Fasterkatts look good, but I'm not sure they've fixed the weak zip that failed on the first version.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • paul1000
    paul1000 Posts: 190
    That's what I have to do, getting the boots was meant to do away of the hassle with overshoes, my winter bike has guards with flaps front and rear, there is a trick with the cuffs of marigold gloves I believe, will give that a try, not pink ones though lol,
  • johnnymcg259
    johnnymcg259 Posts: 569
    Just bought a pair of overshoes from a new, small Yank company .......waiting for them to arrive though but taken a bit of a punt on 'em really. Google these...........

    VeloToze

    Not sure how robust they'll be but if you're on the bike and not intending to walk in 'em a lot I hope they last a season or two. :roll:

    Cheers, Johnny
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Dippydog3 wrote:

    I miss the good old days when shops had inventory.

    What shop are you getting them from?
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    johnnymcg259 wrote:
    Just bought a pair of overshoes from a new, small Yank company .......waiting for them to arrive though but taken a bit of a punt on 'em really. Google these...........

    VeloToze

    Not sure how robust they'll be but if you're on the bike and not intending to walk in 'em a lot I hope they last a season or two. :roll:

    Cheers, Johnny


    They do look different. I'd imagine they're quite effective if you are bare legged - but if you're in longs then won't the water soak down through the fabric ? Neat idea though.
  • cadseen
    cadseen Posts: 170
    edited November 2014
    I just use the normal shoes and overshoes, and if raining heavy and cold and i have to go out I just use carrier bags over my socks and tape them to my leg to stop rain. It keeps them warm and dry from the rain but they will sweat a bit.
  • Dippydog3
    Dippydog3 Posts: 414
    Carbonator wrote:
    Dippydog3 wrote:

    I miss the good old days when shops had inventory.

    What shop are you getting them from?
    online. no shops near me with anything.
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/s1000r-aspha ... 17943.html

    I got a set of these a month ago and been very impressed with how warm and dry they keep my feet despite riding in several torrential downpours recently.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Dippydog3 wrote:
    Carbonator wrote:
    Dippydog3 wrote:

    I miss the good old days when shops had inventory.

    What shop are you getting them from?
    online. no shops near me with anything.

    I think your memories of shops having 'inventory' are an unrealistic reflection on the past.
    I guess winter Goretex boots are a fairly recent invention anyway, but no shop would realistically stock multiple numbers of all sizes, of multiple brands, of what is a pretty niche type of shoe.

    The reality would have been that they stocked one or max two brands, and that they did not have the two sizes of each to try on anyway, meaning a massive wait to get them in.
    My memories are of the shop assistant coming out of the stock room saying they did not have my size.

    Lots of things were better in the old days, but I am not sure sourcing the correct size/brand winter boot is one of them.
    Evans click and collect works well as you walk out of the shop with what you want (if anything) and have nothing to repackage and send back/wait for refund.
    Even they only stock the Northwave, and they are a massive company with a huge warehouse.
  • colinsmith123
    colinsmith123 Posts: 579
    Paul1000 wrote:
    It don't need to be torrential for nw gtx boots, just normal rain for your feet to get wet.

    I have the same boots. And noticed that they had become less waterproof.

    Solution; stick 'em in the washing machine and hey presto back to being waterproof as they were...ish.

    Proof being the downpour I rode through this morning. Right sock was a bit damp afterwards. But the big hole at the top is probably is the biggest design fault in any waterproof shoe / boot.

    http://www.gore-tex.co.uk/remote/Satellite/content/customer-service/faq/4
    Live to ski
    Ski to live
  • Dippydog3
    Dippydog3 Posts: 414
    The boots will be delivered by Mr DPD tomorrow.

    Fitted some mudguards as well. And I did adjust the front one properly after the picture.

    a37d27eead19b650fa7d7edd3065ee46.jpg
  • Dippydog3
    Dippydog3 Posts: 414
    Carbonator wrote:
    Dippydog3 wrote:
    Carbonator wrote:
    Dippydog3 wrote:

    I miss the good old days when shops had inventory.

    What shop are you getting them from?
    online. no shops near me with anything.

    I think your memories of shops having 'inventory' are an unrealistic reflection on the past.
    I guess winter Goretex boots are a fairly recent invention anyway, but no shop would realistically stock multiple numbers of all sizes, of multiple brands, of what is a pretty niche type of shoe.

    The reality would have been that they stocked one or max two brands, and that they did not have the two sizes of each to try on anyway, meaning a massive wait to get them in.
    My memories are of the shop assistant coming out of the stock room saying they did not have my size.

    Lots of things were better in the old days, but I am not sure sourcing the correct size/brand winter boot is one of them.
    Evans click and collect works well as you walk out of the shop with what you want (if anything) and have nothing to repackage and send back/wait for refund.
    Even they only stock the Northwave, and they are a massive company with a huge warehouse.

    Really!
    Some inventory is unrealistic?
    There are 12 bike shops within 20 miles of me and none of them have a single pair of winter boots.
    Unrealistic expectations of course. Perhaps they will have some in May.
    "Winter boots sir? Nooooooo! You are the fourth person I have told this week that there is no demand for those."

    Actually, I would pay a premium to keep a LBS in business, but they have to play the game. Pick the top two or three manufacturers. Stock one pair of the sizes towards the middle of the distribution bell curve. order others in on next day delivery if you have to. The important thing is to service customer demand.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Dippydog3 wrote:
    Really!
    Some inventory is unrealistic?
    There are 12 bike shops within 20 miles of me and none of them have a single pair of winter boots.
    Unrealistic expectations of course. Perhaps they will have some in May.
    "Winter boots sir? Nooooooo! You are the fourth person I have told this week that there is no demand for those."

    Actually, I would pay a premium to keep a LBS in business, but they have to play the game. Pick the top two or three manufacturers. Stock one pair of the sizes towards the middle of the distribution bell curve. order others in on next day delivery if you have to. The important thing is to service customer demand.

    I completely agree that shops across a wide range of types choose to stock odd things, and it is something that has often driven me mad.
    That said I still feel that winter boots are just too niche for shops to stock in the way you are asking.
    You specifically said you were after waterproof boots in your opening post, yet still people are trying to suggest you buy over shoes lol.
    Am guessing you made up that quote about an LBS being asked for them four times in a week.

    Shops cannot get things in next day can they? A chain like Evans can get stock in from their warehouse pretty quick, but a small shop is not going to next day something from a supplier only for someone to try on.
    Also, Evans, wiggle, CRC etc. sell world-wide which must make holding stock of winter boots a lot more viable.
    I do not think being willing to pay a little more for winter boots is going to keep an LBS in business, but I guess its nice of you to offer.
    Would guess they get little demand for them, and then would just get people trying them on only to order online for a discount, loyalty points or even just a bag of Haribo.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Dippydog - get some flaps fitted to cut down the spray. Plenty of ways to make your own.
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    cougie wrote:
    johnnymcg259 wrote:
    Just bought a pair of overshoes from a new, small Yank company .......waiting for them to arrive though but taken a bit of a punt on 'em really. Google these...........

    VeloToze

    Not sure how robust they'll be but if you're on the bike and not intending to walk in 'em a lot I hope they last a season or two. :roll:

    Cheers, Johnny


    They do look different. I'd imagine they're quite effective if you are bare legged - but if you're in longs then won't the water soak down through the fabric ? Neat idea though.

    My velotoze arrived yesterday. I tried them on and they definitely make a good seal, no way is water going to get in.

    But, I reckon they will last about 2 rides. Now way can this thin rubber material withstand the abuse they will get, even simply walking or pushing away from lights will certainly put a hole in them. Once a hole appears, it will get big very quickly due to the tension in the rubber. They are a swine to get off, too.

    Anyway, I'll let you all know how I get on, but I have a feeling that a set of wetsuit cuffs will be a better idea for creating a seal between boot and leg.
  • pippi_langsamer-2
    pippi_langsamer-2 Posts: 1,470
    Dippydog3 wrote:
    The boots will be delivered by Mr DPD tomorrow.

    Fitted some mudguards as well. And I did adjust the front one properly after the picture.

    a37d27eead19b650fa7d7edd3065ee46.jpg

    As much as you probably don't want to hear it, those mudguards are tending more on the side of useless rather than useful unless you slap some flappage (French term), onto them. Rear flap will actually protect anyone riding behind you, front one will actually keep your feet relatively dry. As they stand, your feet are going to get as wet as they would without the guards fitted....
  • ilovegrace
    ilovegrace Posts: 677
    dodgy wrote:
    cougie wrote:
    johnnymcg259 wrote:
    Just bought a pair of overshoes from a new, small Yank company .......waiting for them to arrive though but taken a bit of a punt on 'em really. Google these...........

    VeloToze

    Not sure how robust they'll be but if you're on the bike and not intending to walk in 'em a lot I hope they last a season or two. :roll:

    Cheers, Johnny


    They do look different. I'd imagine they're quite effective if you are bare legged - but if you're in longs then won't the water soak down through the fabric ? Neat idea though.

    My velotoze arrived yesterday. I tried them on and they definitely make a good seal, no way is water going to get in.

    But, I reckon they will last about 2 rides. Now way can this thin rubber material withstand the abuse they will get, even simply walking or pushing away from lights will certainly put a hole in them. Once a hole appears, it will get big very quickly due to the tension in the rubber. They are a swine to get off, too.

    Anyway, I'll let you all know how I get on, but I have a feeling that a set of wetsuit cuffs will be a better idea for creating a seal between boot and leg.
    Mine came today as well.
    Hellish to get on and of , but to create a seal I figure this has to be expected, I am with you , cant see them lasting .
    But worth a punt.I will use them for my commute.
    Decorating the hall stairs and landing at the moment , all last week of work no cycling , and still not finished.
    regrds
    ILG

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