Road Cycling - Sidi Genius 4 shoes & Rain

I have a 60 mile ride coming up and the weather report says rain possible, my silver sidi genuis 4 shoes are brand new ( 2 months old) will i be doing any damage at all by riding with these shoes in the rain? Anything at all, i am worried about ruining them, they were almost 200 bucks, and i am paranoid that the rain will do damage to everything? Thanks, David

I can't say for sure, but I highly doubt it. They are leather and made for riding outdoors...In most any condition. I'd be surprised if anything happened. I will say that you should let them air out when you're done...Don't throw them in a bag or something...Let the leather dry out.

Teski

They might dull a bit but the wet won't hurt them. My g-4's have been wet many times and my Dominators(same material) have been submerged with no troubles. Just let them air dry(not near a heat source)

I rode through rain and hail that drenched my Sidi Genius 4 Megas...I took out the lining and let it air dry, shoes are just fine.

Sunlight does wonders for drying and against odor causing bateria or mildew.

cAPS

Originally posted by Teski
They are leather
Actually, aren't they lorica, just like the black ones?

My black Sidi Genius 4's have gotten wet many times with no ill long-term effects. This is actually one of the reasons I avoided a leather cycling shoe.

i was thinking about these: http://www.velowear.com/store/prod/121034.htm

...or you could buy those.

i dont know if they are waterproof though?

Originally posted by djbowen1
i dont know if they are waterproof though?

My experience with neoprene 'waterproof' shoe covers is that they do not prevent your feet from getting wet altogether. Probably due to the opening in the sole (for your cleats) and an insufficient grip around the ankles.

Of course, shoe covers offer some rain protection (in my case only against moderate downpouring); brands, models differ. And in dry conditions they are good windbreakers.

They'll be fine. Both my Dominator 2s from 1996 and my Genius 4s have seen many a rain or mud soaked ride. Never a problem. Just pull out the insoles and stuff them full of newspaper to dry them out.

Originally posted by djbowen1
i dont know if they are waterproof though?
Doesn't sound like it. I think they're just lycra shoe covers for aerodynamic time trialing.

I've got a pair of neoprene booties that do a good job of keeping my feet dry. I'll get those Sidi winter shoes someday, dangit.

Yeah, they are Lorica and mesh. I have a pair of Sidi Shadow's that are the same thing and a pair of Genius4's that are all lorica. I have had the Shadow's in the rain numerous times over the last 5 years plus I have owned them. Still fit and almost look like new(they are worn, but not overly worn). My Genius4's are a year old and have been wet multiple times already and same thing, no problems. i do wipe the sand and grit off with a wet towel after a rain ride, that's it. that's the advantage lorica has over leather, wet conditions won't bother it. Ride in the rain and don't worry about the shoes at all.

Originally posted by BikeInMN
They'll be fine. Just pull out the insoles and stuff them full of newspaper to dry them out.

There you go! The absolute best way to dry leather shoes is by stuffing them with newspaper. After several hours, at least 2, but you an let it go up to 4, remove the wet paper and replace them with dry. Check every few hours until the paper comes out relatively dry.

do leather and lorica have similair characteristics?

Yeah... similar. There might be some info on Sidi's web page. Basically, lorica is a man-made synthetic material, probably made from petrochemicals. In other words, some kind of plastic or vinyl.

Leather stretches, and is damaged by water. Lorica doesn't really stretch, at least not permanently. It does "give" a little once it's warmed up. Water has no effect on it at all. I guess lorica doesn't "breath" like leather, but my Genius 4s have plenty of ventilation. Lorica is probably a little lighter.

why do all of you keep saying leather when all current shoes are made of lorica?

Originally posted by djbowen1
why do all of you keep saying leather when all current shoes are made of lorica?
Well, all current roadie cycling shoes (I assume that's what you mean) aren't! For example, Carnacs (at least the higher end models) are leather. CyclingNews recently had a review of Nalini Flystorms (what's with that name? doesn't sound like anything I'd wanna ride through). They're made of lorica mesh and leather.

Leather costs more and dies faster. But money is no object with many cyclists. At least when it comes to cycling gear. ;)

okay, that makes sense. How much can an expensive pair go for?