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Suggestions for keeping feet dry

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Aikea Guinea

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'll admit, I have passed on getting "booties" in the past and typically train indoors during winter. I want to extend my fall, outdoor riding to include rainy days. Now it is getting colder, and after a nice wet, windy ride this evening, I'm ready for a lesson in reason. :)

I use CB Candy 3 pedals (SPD) on all my bikes (road, touring/commute, cx, etc.). Please suggest either a bootie that will work with SPD type shoes or suggest a weather-resistant / waterproof SPD shoe. It seems the worst incursion of water into my shoes was from below, possibly the cleat? Most rain booties I have seen seem to be wide open down there.
 
#2 ·
For booties, I use Bontrager neoprene covers. Eventually they soak through or your feet sweat, but your feet still stay relatively warm and your shoes stay relatively debris-free. Completely waterproof ones generally make my feet sweat too much and eventually even those soak through (from the cleat cutout. Find a balance and go with that. Fenders make a big difference in how long you can go before your feet get soaked, as well as the rest of your kit (think cold, wet chamois).

For socks, I'm a big fan of merino wool. Warm even when soaked. I wear merino wool baselayers as well, for the same reason.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Alaska Mike said:
For booties, I use Bontrager neoprene covers. Eventually they soak through or your feet sweat, but your feet still stay relatively warm and your shoes stay relatively debris-free. Completely waterproof ones generally make my feet sweat too much and eventually even those soak through (from the cleat cutout. Find a balance and go with that. Fenders make a big difference in how long you can go before your feet get soaked, as well as the rest of your kit (think cold, wet chamois).

For socks, I'm a big fan of merino wool. Warm even when soaked. I wear merino wool baselayers as well, for the same reason.
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Ok, thanks! I do have several pairs of Merino wool socks. I'll definitely plan to wear a pair next time it looks like rain. They have always worked well for hiking. I know you can wear wool in summer too due to temp. regulating properties of wool, but my feet just get too hot so I don't tend to wear wool socks in the summer. It could just be the type I have - MW Smartwool, iirc. I need to get back on track with wearing wool socks now that the season is changing. I'll check out the Bontrager neoprene covers too.
 
#4 ·
I have a pair of Specialized Defroster winter shoes. They have a neoprene cuff and my feet stay warm and dry down into the 20's with regular cycling socks. I roll the socks down below the cuff so I don't wick rain down into the shoes. They make a road and a MTB shoe.
 
#5 ·
you cant get a shoe cover that seals underneath where the cleats are. you could seal the inside of the shoe with silicone but if water ever comes in the top it will have nowhere to go. your best bet is to use any decent winter shoe cover combined with waterproof socks (sealskins) and accept that when it is really wet the inside of your shoe will have water in it. non issue if you have waterproof socks.
 
#6 ·
Just get the lowest costing booties you can find that have higher reviews, like these: Pearl Izumi Barrier Lite Shoe Covers - New Fall Pearl Izumi The more expensive ones do not last any longer. You don't to wear water proof socks your feet will sweat plus your shoes will be soaked which isn't good for them, so you need to wear is external booties over whatever shoes you normally wear, combine with some wool cycling socks.
 
#7 ·
I use a pair of sealskinz waterproof socks..... my feet don't sweat that much and it's still better than riding with wet cold feet. It's not like hiking with waterproof socks. I still use a neoprene shoe cover but my socks would still get wet anyway so the sealskinz works great keeping my feet dry and warm. Only rode 4 times in the rain so far and no feet problems. But the pacific northwest winter is coming which means rain and more rain and then even more rain. So I'll get to thoroughly test it out this winter.
 
#8 ·
#9 ·
Go to KMart, Famous Footwear, Target and buy a pair of rubbers (no, not THAT kind) that fit over your shoes. It's better to take your cycling shoes with you to see if they fit correctly. They come in shoe height, boot height, & something in between. When you get home take a razor knife/box cutter & cut a hole in the sole just big enough for the cleat. Ta Daaa! You're done. Did I forget to mention that they're about a cheap as dirt?
 
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#10 ·
Shoe covers are great, but the only flaw is the whole in the bottom where the cleat is at. As some people mentioned, your best bet is waterproof winter boots. They do a real good job sealing the water out, keeping your socks/feet dry.
 
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#11 ·
Mr. Versatile said:
Go to KMart, Famous Footwear, Target and buy a pair of rubbers (no, not THAT kind) that fit over your shoes. It's better to take your cycling shoes with you to see if they fit correctly. They come in shoe height, boot height, & something in between. When you get home take a razor knife/box cutter & cut a hole in the sole just big enough for the cleat. Ta Daaa! You're done. Did I forget to mention that they're about a cheap as dirt?
Click to expand...
I love this idea!! I'm a tightwad so that kind of idea fits right in with my way of thinking.
 
#12 ·
Your feet are being sprayed with water coming off the front tire, so a full front fender with a honking big mudflap almost dragging the ground would eliminate the cause of your problem. I know, not an option....:)
 
#13 ·
As long as the water's not running down your leg into the top of whatever you're wearing, you'll stay dry. Once things run down your leg into the top of whatever you're wearing, you're going to get wet feet. Having said that, I've had great luck with Gore Tex socks. Thin. Completely waterproof. I got my second pair at Cabela's after I lost my first pair.

I also have a pair of Gore Tex booties. Work wonders when its wet and cold.

Ditto with the Pro Tarmac overshoes I got for Crimmus last year.

M
 
#14 ·
I have full fenders on my touring rig, but if I'm riding in the rain and my feet aren't covered correctly they get wet from just the rain coming down on top of the shoes and riding into the rain, the fenders don't stop that, they help reduce some of the water but not stop it. So I have rain covers for my shoes in case of rain, unless it's hot outside then I don't care if my feet get a little damp.
 
#17 ·
As someone who gotten rained on a lot, I've given up on staying dry. Staying warm is more feasible and more important.

So another vote here for wool socks, especially DeFeet Wooleators. Even if there's a puddle of water in your shoes, the wool keeps my feet warm.

The socks will dry when you get home, and so will you.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Thanks for all of the suggestions. The wool socks are back in full rotation.

My new fall jacket is windproof and waterproof. This should help tremendously. But I understand it is likely my shoes will still get wet. If I can keep them dry longer, and warmer when wet, then I think that will be sufficient.

I plan to get a relatively inexpensive pair of booties. The "latex look" of the Pearl Izumi is pure cosplay genius. Lol. However, my goth / punk days are behind me, alas.
 
#20 ·
wim said:
Correct, no fender will. You need that mudflap almost down the ground.
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I was talking about when raining water comes from the sky and you are riding into the rain falling from the sky, that water falling from the sky combined with you riding through it will get your feet wet irregardless of mud flaps. Does mud flaps eliminate the chances of getting your feet wet...yes...BUT ONLY IF IT"S NOT RAINING and just the street is we, then all you're dealing with is spray!! Once it's raining mud flaps will help to some degree in light mist or drizzile, but not in heavier rain, and once your feet are wet from the rain their wet plain and simple, and at that point mudflaps won't do a darn bit of good unless your wearing shoe overs then your feet shouldn't be wet regardless.

Mud flaps are better at keeping dirt, sand, and mud from flinging off the tires and dirtying up your frame, headset, chain, etc not for preventing wet feet.

You can make your own mud flaps by simply cutting a piece of plastic milk carton as wide as the fender is at the bottom of the fender, and long enough so it misses the road by about an inch allowing for about two inches where the fender is, perhaps cutting it so it flairs out a bit (1/2 to 1 inch on each side) as it goes toward the road. Drill two holes in the bottom portion of the fender about 1 inch above one another, and the same for the top part of the milk carton mud flap you made, then simply attach with two small nut/screw/split washer combination.

Some people use pieces of leather or vinyl to do the same thing, just depends on how fancy you want to get.
 
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