Waterproof shoes or waterproof overshoes?

[sebo]

Just started using SPD Road Shoes for commuting. Does anyone recommend buying a pair of waterproof / GoreTex SPD shoes for when the winter comes (soaking wet and cold) or would waterproof overshoes do the job?

Any other tips for trying to keep my feet dry when it starts lashing down again.

I have been wearing trainers with flat pedals for the last year and not cycled when it's raining hard but now I want to cycle every day and don't want wet feet.

[anonymous-user]

sebo said:

Just started using SPD Road Shoes for commuting. Does anyone recommend buying a pair of waterproof / GoreTex SPD shoes for when the winter comes (soaking wet and cold) or would waterproof overshoes do the job?

Any other tips for trying to keep my feet dry when it starts lashing down again.

I have been wearing trainers with flat pedals for the last year and not cycled when it's raining hard but now I want to cycle every day and don't want wet feet.

there is no point buying waterproof shoes as teh water will come in down your leg and you wil lstill get wet feet albeit will take a little longer.

overshoes are by far and awaythe better (and cheaper!) solution. something like this should do the trick...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Castelli_Windsto...

[Marcellus]

Pablo speaks sense for this...... I I have adidas over shoes and they velcro up the back which makes them very easy for putting on and taking off... I also have used them in early season on the mountain bike and they worked great!

[Cloud 9]

With overshoes make sure you get the right size , I take a 9 so purchased a pair of DHB`s size 9/10 from wiggle and it was almost impossible to get them over a pair of cleated specialized MTB shoes, retuned them for 10/12 which were much easier to to put on.

[TedMaul]

pablo said:

sebo said:

Just started using SPD Road Shoes for commuting. Does anyone recommend buying a pair of waterproof / GoreTex SPD shoes for when the winter comes (soaking wet and cold) or would waterproof overshoes do the job?

Any other tips for trying to keep my feet dry when it starts lashing down again.

I have been wearing trainers with flat pedals for the last year and not cycled when it's raining hard but now I want to cycle every day and don't want wet feet.

there is no point buying waterproof shoes as teh water will come in down your leg and you wil lstill get wet feet albeit will take a little longer.

overshoes are by far and awaythe better (and cheaper!) solution. something like this should do the trick...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Castelli_Windsto...

Can't remember what brand mine are, but they are much the same design and work very well. I also tried waterproof socks, which although effective at keeping moisture out, were also very good at keeping moisture in.....

Other good thing about overshoes is you can chuck them in the washing machine with the rest of your gear if needed. I would heed the advice about size though and if you can go into a shop and try them on, so much the better.

[PomBstard]

Or a nice pair of Seal socks - waterproof, windproof and snug. No need for phaffing with overshoes and the like. Unless you don't wear socks. I keep a pair for winter mtb'ing and commuting.

[sebo]

PomBstard said:

Or a nice pair of Seal socks - waterproof, windproof and snug. No need for phaffing with overshoes and the like. Unless you don't wear socks. I keep a pair for winter mtb'ing and commuting.

I'd like to keep my road shoes in decent nick if I can and overshoes would do this.

I'd possibly wear sealskinz under overshoes, just to keep my feet dry but i'd want something to keep my shoes clean and dry

[theboymoon]

PomBstard said:

Or a nice pair of Seal socks - waterproof, windproof and snug. No need for phaffing with overshoes and the like. Unless you don't wear socks. I keep a pair for winter mtb'ing and commuting.

wot he said

[sebo]

Thanks for all the replies! Reckon I need to get some overshoes asap as it felt a bit wintery on the ride this eve.

[a11y_m]

Off-road: waterproof shoes plus socks

Road: overshoes


I found overshoes don't last long offroad as I always ripped them through walking, plus they made clambering up muddy slopes more difficult. I use Specialized Defroster boots, but because they're not fully waterproof (water can flow down your leg into the shoe - true of all "watreproof" shoes) I also wear a pair of Sealskinz. Benefits of these shoes are they're resistant against splashes and are also easy to hose down after muddy rides.

Overshoes are awesome on the road though - dry and toasty feet and clean/dry shoes.

[PomBstard]

I'm not sure I follow this. You get shoes which are designed for outdoor purposes and then put another shoe over the top to stop the other shoe getting dirty or wet? Is that like putting a pair of wellies over your brogues just to save the brogues from getting mucky in any way?

[Marcellus]

PomBstard said:

I'm not sure I follow this. You get shoes which are designed for outdoor purposes and then put another shoe over the top to stop the other shoe getting dirty or wet? Is that like putting a pair of wellies over your brogues just to save the brogues from getting mucky in any way?

you are more or less right but the shoes you have aren't designed to be water proof, they are designed to have a competely rigid sole and keep your foot cool so more like a light pair of jogging trainers than a brogue....you know you're going out in the rain for several hours... you know everytime you turn a corner the water will be forced more onto your shoes so you have a choice either get wet feet which will chill you to the core or put something over them to keep your feet dry and relatively warm.

Brogues are water proof and therefore if our walking in the rain your feet will stay relatively dry.

[anonymous-user]

PomBstard said:

I'm not sure I follow this. You get shoes which are designed for outdoor purposes and then put another shoe over the top to stop the other shoe getting dirty or wet? Is that like putting a pair of wellies over your brogues just to save the brogues from getting mucky in any way?

road shoes tend not to be waterproof, they also have ventilation holes in them thus overshoes (think of them as neoprene socks) fit over them if you are out in the rain.

i tend not to bother with anything other than trail shoe things if i am on my mtb as water gets in regardless from grass, mud, etc etc