Commuting - ferking rain and no booties

Considering the lousy weather and my generally being tired of soaked shoes I thought it would be an intersting idea to pick up some thin water-proof booties. Some shops looked at me like I was asking for proof of alien life and others pointed me to a sorry collection of random sizes and types of completely unsatisfactory things. Even online many of the shops' search engines returned no results.

What to the rest of you do? Just get soaked feet?

I want dry feetses!!

Go to your local grocery store and pick up some of those light weight meat or produce bags. The ones you put your fruit, veges or meat in. They are free and work great. Just put them on over your socks and add a rubber band.

The shoes get wet but the feet stay dry.

But most of the time, my feet just get wet. As long as it is not cold, no big deal.

I have a pair of homemade booties, made from ripstop nylon with elastic bands around the ankle and sole to keep everything in place. Works very well, very lightweight, durable etc etc.

PS PM me if you would like more detail, but I'm away for 2 weeks so pls be patient...

I just let em get wet. Goes with the territory.

I just let em get wet. Goes with the territory.


As do I. I just think it sucks :) Especially when most of it is splashed water that could easily be avoided with a simple cover. The ones I have found sure seem neat. Velcro sround the ankle and a little hole for the cleat. They totally exist it's just that no one seems to have them around.. or at least in enough quantity to have real sizing options.

Mostly I am hoping for someone who knows of a good place to order them online.

Well first of all you need fenders.
Then I guess a pair of these: http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/2062/1d/gallery.rei.com/media/221142.jpg
http://www.rei.com/product/47922326.htm?vcat=REI_SSHP_CYCLING_TOC

Gots me some fenders already. They are useless for keeping feet dry.

I was just looking at those from REI a few minutes ago actually... I might try the neoprene ones they have.

Now I am down to trying to find some with waterproofing but no extra insulation. So I am making progress :)

Just get something like this from an industrial supply company that sells safety equipment. They're pretty cheap and you can wear them over your socks and just slip them into your shoes, they're thin and won't affect the fit. Your shoes get wet but your socks and your feet won't.
http://www.labsafety.com/store/assets/product_images_XL/LB4573.JPG

Or get these socks: http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=4181&parent_category_rn=4501471&vcat=REI_SEARCH
They're waterproof.

This is the reason I am seriously considering sandals. It's summer (warm), why not let the pups out to breath a bit. My work boots are nice and dry at the office.

slvoid... I often say I don't care about fashion, or how I am dressed... but I draw the line at those clear baggies :)

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This is the reason I am seriously considering sandals. It's summer (warm), why not let the pups out to breath a bit. My work boots are nice and dry at the office.

That's exactly my attitude. Summer means not worrying about wet feet. When it's not raining hard and there isn't standing water, the fenders do their job. The rest of the time? Go for broke. It's just water.

Winter means bags on your feet and ridicule from your coworkers.

Currently I don't keep extra clothes at work. I suppose buying extra shoes that I otherwise don't need could be an option. It just seems like such an easily solvable problem. I certainly don't fear water. I just get tired of wet feet at work. At home I just change and put my shoes in front of a fan.

I have also found that I am a little less excited about putting in an extra 20 or 30 miles after work with my wet feet. Maybe I am just a pansy that way though :)

Have some water resistant booties. They are not perfect. Lessen the seepage some. I think I prefer Neopreme. Feet not dry but warm.

Fenders and gortex socks -- you can get them at an outdoor store. They rock! Your shoes get wet. Your feet stay dry and warm.

Yesterday I had a 330 call time, mid downpour in NYC. It was actually cold, and the ride home was even colder at midnight. I need booties too- Slvoid, I'd love to see you in those hoopty bags with the rest of your tricked out commuter!

Here's a better price on SealSkinz socks: two pairs for $19.97, six pairs for $39.97.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?p=WX2&i=77656

goretex socks

The socks work well if your shoes can dry out between rains. EWWW REEEKS!

That doesn't happen here. Instead I use a gaiter like what hikers use to keep the rain from filling up the shoes. It works well but I have to wrap the ankle to keep the gaiter from going into the crank.

I have a pair of those socks you can like walk on water and keep your feet dry. Think Nashbar brand. Really thick. Here in California never needed them But, they must be hot, even in the cold.

Yesterday I had a 330 call time, mid downpour in NYC. It was actually cold, and the ride home was even colder at midnight. I need booties too- Slvoid, I'd love to see you in those hoopty bags with the rest of your tricked out commuter!

No way man, I take it wet. Heh.
The coldest I've ridden in the rain was about 38 degrees. My toes were damn near frozen off but my commute's only 40 min, so that's not too bad. I'll never be caught dead with those bags around my feet.

Here's a better price on SealSkinz socks: two pairs for $19.97, six pairs for $39.97.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?p=WX2&i=77656

Nice, sealskinz rocks.

speaking of wet feet... out the door, 6 quick laps around Prospect park..... I needed 5 more minutes to get home dry.... feh! :)

How long do sealskinz/gortex socks take to dry if water gets inside? Putting on wet socks is not a great feeling.

May I suggest a simpler alternative?

http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/2062/1d/gallery.rei.com/media/686423Lrg.jpg

Gots me some fenders already. They are useless for keeping feet dry.

Here's what I've found:

Without fenders, with or without booties, soaked feet.

With fenders, with or without booties, slightly less soaked feet.

With fenders, with mudflap, with booties, dry feet.

With fenders, with mudflap, without booties, damp feet.

I ditched the booties.