Winter Cycling - rain shoe cover

I am looking for shoe covers that work in the rain. Not mist or just wet roads, but actual drops falling from the sky. I have Gator neoprene booties that work OK in the wind, but not in the rain. I found the Adidas CP rain bootie online, but I need to know if it will fit a 14 (49) mountain shoe (Spec BG).

Any other suggestions are appreciated.

thanks, Eric

i don't ride too often in the rain, but when i do, i wear gortex socks inside my shoes. it's a tighter fit with my winter neoprene booties on (but i've done it for my commute a few times); and without the booties it's still tight---i wouldn't attempt a comfortable all-day ride unless i had bigger shoes.

but... it works well in a pinch and for shorter rides. i just change shoes when i get to work, which i do no matter what the weather is like. plus, the gortex socks work well, and work in a number of other situations.

I'm more concerned about getting my shoes wet. I found Hincapie Alpe shoe covers that appear to fit the bill. XXL and waterproof. A bit steep @ $50.

I'm more concerned about getting my shoes wet. I found Hincapie Alpe shoe covers that appear to fit the bill. XXL and waterproof. A bit steep @ $50.

"Gore" makes Goretex waterproof shoe covers, but they're like $90.

I have a set of PI covers that have worked fine in torrential rain. Be sure that your rain pants are covering the top of the shoe covers or the water will just rush in.

You may want to try spraying you existing covered with some water repellant spray for tents/backpacks/shoes. That may give the exisiting neoprene enough water shedding "power" to keep your feet dry.

Happy riding,
André

You may want to try spraying you existing covered with some water repellent spray for tents/backpacks/shoes. That may give the existing neoprene enough water shedding "power" to keep your feet dry.

+1. Camp-Dry works just fine for me on neoprene booties.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=BUY_PRODUCT_STANDARD&PRODUCT.ID=5562&CATEGORY.ID=1&MODE=SPECIALS&TFC=

I'm more concerned about getting my shoes wet. I found Hincapie Alpe shoe covers that appear to fit the bill. XXL and waterproof. A bit steep @ $50.

The only effective solution is to not ride in the wet. Everything else only buys you time.

The only effective solution is to not ride in the wet. Everything else only buys you time.

True, but three hours or more is a lot of time.

I have yet to have my Sugoi Resistors let in any water.

I also use Lake MX255 shoes with waterproof uppers.

As well as Sealskinz MVT's as oversocks for Smartwools.

Who cares if the booties leak a bit if the shoes stop what little is getting through?

Who cares if the shoes leak a bit if the oversocks stop what little is getting through?

As long as your innermost layer of socks are staying dry, you're OK.

Add it all up and I figure I'm ready for torrential downpours.

On the other hand, torrential downpour only happens about once a year here.

I have a set of PI covers that have worked fine in torrential rain. Be sure that your rain pants are covering the top of the shoe covers or the water will just rush in.

You may want to try spraying you existing covered with some water repellant spray for tents/backpacks/shoes. That may give the exisiting neoprene enough water shedding "power" to keep your feet dry.

Happy riding,
André

which PI covers are you using?


True, but three hours or more is a lot of time.

I have yet to have my Sugoi Resistors let in any water.

I also use Lake MX255 shoes with waterproof uppers.

As well as Sealskinz MVT's as oversocks for Smartwools.

Who cares if the booties leak a bit if the shoes stop what little is getting through?

Who cares if the shoes leak a bit if the oversocks stop what little is getting through?

As long as your innermost layer of socks are staying dry, you're OK.

Add it all up and I figure I'm ready for torrential downpours.

On the other hand, torrential downpour only happens about once a year here.

how do you feel about the Sugino Resistors now that it's months later?








For all other reading:

I shopping around for the best method of keeping my feet dry while I ride this winter. I live in a very cold, snowy climate, but the riding is fun.

I can mange to keep my feet warm with socks and such, but keeping them dry is the problem which I have yet to find a commercial solution for. In past years, I've always worn a thick wool sock, then a plastic shopping bag, and then a thin sock. I tuck all of that under my winter tights and then i put my shoes on. All the water which hits my shins just drains down over my feet and out my shoe. This basically works perfectly, but frankly it's getting kind of silly to have to use a plastic bag to ride,

Anyone have any recommendations?

How are the LG Zero Degree Ergo Grip shoes?

thanks all

old thead i know.

wow

coming back to post what i found. These sugoi covers looks like winners:
http://www.sugoi.com/usa/eng/Products/Bike/Men/Accessories/Details/1526-95050U-Resistor-Bootie
http://www.sugoi.com/usa/eng/Products/Bike/Men/Details/2267-95055U.247-SUGOI-TI-Bootie

especially this one:
http://www.sugoi.com/usa/eng/Products/Bike/Men/Accessories/Details/1525-95002U-Resistor-Shoe-Cover

anyone advise against these?

wow

coming back to post what i found. These sugoi covers looks like winners:
http://www.sugoi.com/usa/eng/Products/Bike/Men/Accessories/Details/1526-95050U-Resistor-Bootie
http://www.sugoi.com/usa/eng/Products/Bike/Men/Details/2267-95055U.247-SUGOI-TI-Bootie

especially this one:
http://www.sugoi.com/usa/eng/Products/Bike/Men/Accessories/Details/1525-95002U-Resistor-Shoe-Cover

anyone advise against these?

When I look for genuinely waterproof gear, I've learned from experience that it's absolutely critical to look for the word "waterproof". In my experience, if they don't put the word waterproof on it sure, it might hold the water at bay for 5 minutes, or as long as you don't touch the material and it doesn't move. But it will leak like a sieve in any serious rain under any serious activity. Sometimes gear labeled waterproof isn't actually waterproof either (apparently, a pair of Pearl Izumi gloves labelled waterproof are made out of a waterproof material, but not actually seam sealed - making them not waterproof either) but the word waterproof gives you a much better chance.

The first two actually use the word "waterproof", so while I haven't used them, they're great looking on paper.

The last one does not - it says "provides lightweight wind and water resistant protection", so I would give it a big thumbs down if you actually want something waterproof.

Endura just started making booties labelled "waterproof" as well. Like this one:
http://www.endurasport.com/Product.aspx?dept_id=107&prod_id=213

One thing I like about them more (based purely and entirely on their description) is that they say "Opens fully at sole and up back heel". I have the Gore Bikewear Waterproof overshoe, which is twice as expensive:
http://www.gorebikewear.com/remote/Satellite/PROD_FCITYO?landingid=1208436871979A

Velcro opens up completely at the back, making it really easy to put them on and off my shoes. Unlike, for example, my neoprene booties, which are a royal PITA to get on an off the shoe as they have a half zipper in the back and you sorta have to wedge the shoe into them. The neoprene design is likely warmer, but if you're primarily looking for "easy to put on" and waterproof, the open back design in way more convenient.

Anyone have any recommendations?



If it's really cold and snowy forget about the plastic bags. You need to keep your foot solution breathable or it will get cold. The only time I would use plastic bags is if it's cold and wet. That's above freezing.

For really cold you want water resistant and breathable so moisture does not built up in your shoe. If it's freezing a little snow on your shoe will not soak your foot. It is more important for it to breath. There are probably many methods to accomplish this.

The majority of cold weather cycling shoe solutions have in the past been more concerned with waterproofness which is counter productive in below freezing conditions. However, there is a new crop of winter cycling shoes from Lake and Pearl Izumi which look to be both warm and breathable.

Cold and wet conditions are a little harder to deal with. In the end the best solution I have found is to wear a thin neoprene sock either next to the skin or over a thin synthetic sock. You don't want to wear a plastic bag over any kind of water soaking thick socks. Wear the insulation layers on the outside of the vapor barrier. Then keep the outside of the shoe water resistant or water proof to keep the insulation layers as dry as possible.

Sometimes gear labeled waterproof isn't actually waterproof either (apparently, a pair of Pearl Izumi gloves labelled waterproof are made out of a waterproof material, but not actually seam sealed - making them not waterproof either) but the word waterproof gives you a much better chance.

i emailed Pearl yesterday and got this reply from them:
All our shoe covers use materials that are waterproof, but none of the seams are taped for true waterproof protection, so water will eventually leak in through the seams. If you're using a mountain bike shoe with recessed cleats on the bottom, you'll want to go with the Barrier MTB Shoe Cover #9293, as its open bottom is the only one that's compatible with a recessed cleat. If you're using a road shoe with externally mounted cleats, any of our shoe covers will keep you equally dry, but the Barrier #9292 will also keep you the warmest. Hope this helps. Have a great winter riding season!

If it's really cold and snowy forget about the plastic bags. You need to keep your foot solution breathable or it will get cold. The only time I would use plastic bags is if it's cold and wet. That's above freezing.

For really cold you want water resistant and breathable so moisture does not built up in your shoe. If it's freezing a little snow on your shoe will not soak your foot. It is more important for it to breath. There are probably many methods to accomplish this.

The majority of cold weather cycling shoe solutions have in the past been more concerned with waterproofness which is counter productive in below freezing conditions. However, there is a new crop of winter cycling shoes from Lake and Pearl Izumi which look to be both warm and breathable.

Cold and wet conditions are a little harder to deal with. In the end the best solution I have found is to wear a thin neoprene sock either next to the skin or over a thin synthetic sock. You don't want to wear a plastic bag over any kind of water soaking thick socks. Wear the insulation layers on the outside of the vapor barrier. Then keep the outside of the shoe water resistant or water proof to keep the insulation layers as dry as possible.

no i want waterproof. I have tons of experience in the cold doing highly aerobic activities, both skiing dry fluffy powder snow at 10,000 feet and also riding in slushy roads for hours at 10 degrees F. I can tell you three things:
1 - they've never made breathable ski boots. Ever.
2 - While biking your feet get absolutely destroyed by the splash off the downtube.
3 - There's no way on earth that a dripping wet breathable fabric is going to let vapor out so you'd better be sure it's not going to let ice cold road water in.

So give me insulation, and a bombproof shoe cover that i can tuck up under my tights. Trust me, it's the best way to go.

On another thread, i came across the idea of putting a plastic bag between your bootie and the shoe, and then just clipping in directly. no need to cut the bag for the cleat or anything. it's a BRILLIANT idea. My main problem with the bag is that it tends to make your foot slide in the shoe around because it's so slippery against the socks. The suggestion i just described solves this problem so many others at once. Cheap, effective, reliable.

Breathable vented jackets, sure i get it. It's a good idea.

i emailed Pearl yesterday and got this reply from them:
All our shoe covers use materials that are waterproof, but none of the seams are taped for true waterproof protection, so water will eventually leak in through the seams. If you're using a mountain bike shoe with recessed cleats on the bottom, you'll want to go with the Barrier MTB Shoe Cover #9293, as its open bottom is the only one that's compatible with a recessed cleat. If you're using a road shoe with externally mounted cleats, any of our shoe covers will keep you equally dry, but the Barrier #9292 will also keep you the warmest. Hope this helps. Have a great winter riding season!

Wow, that's interesting!

However, not that they still stop short of actually calling their barrier shoe covers "waterproof":
http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=50&product_id=1455213

Which makes me think they aren't.

no i want waterproof. I have tons of experience in the cold doing highly aerobic activities, both skiing dry fluffy powder snow at 10,000 feet and also riding in slushy roads for hours at 10 degrees F. I can tell you three things:
1 - they've never made breathable ski boots. Ever.
2 - While biking your feet get absolutely destroyed by the splash off the downtube.
3 - There's no way on earth that a dripping wet breathable fabric is going to let vapor out so you'd better be sure it's not going to let ice cold road water in.

So give me insulation, and a bombproof shoe cover that i can tuck up under my tights. Trust me, it's the best way to go.

On another thread, i came across the idea of putting a plastic bag between your bootie and the shoe, and then just clipping in directly. no need to cut the bag for the cleat or anything. it's a BRILLIANT idea. My main problem with the bag is that it tends to make your foot slide in the shoe around because it's so slippery against the socks. The suggestion i just described solves this problem so many others at once. Cheap, effective, reliable.

Breathable vented jackets, sure i get it. It's a good idea.

Problem is:
1. It's not reliable. You might be able to do it if you replace the plastic bag every day, but the motion of your foot inside the shoe will wear through the plastic bag. I'm not even sure a new bag would do it, depending on the bad, you might wear through it before the end of the ride. I guess the upside is that the most wear would be on the bottom of the foot, maybe the top of the bag would last longer...or maybe not, since the water will pool in the bottom of your shoe once it gets soaked.
2. Insulation from your shoe isn't nearly as effective (if at all) of insulation when it's sopping wet, is it? If it's raining and the insulation gets wet, won't your foot then get pretty cold?
3. It's still going to be kind of mushy inside a soaked shoe.

If you're really sold on this solution but want something more durable, you could also just buy goretex socks. That's what some people do, though those people are usually riding in not-terribly-cold weather.

how do you feel about the Sugino Resistors now that it's months later?

They actually haven't been used since last fall. My roadie bike was partially dismantled in January to replace a fork I wasn't happy with. Long story short it stayed dismantled until a long backordered headset finally arrived in May. I only use them with the roadie shoes so it's just now getting to be that time when they will get put to use again.

I'll check if I remember to but I don't believe the seams are sealed on them anyway. In any case, I go back to the slightly oversized "waterproof" shoes with "waterproof" oversocks over Smartwools on a 30 lb. full fendered touring bike when it's likely to be raining hard.

Once things are frozen over, I'll be switching to with insulated snow boots and Power Grip pedals on bike #6, an old drop bar equipped, studded tire, GT Backwoods mountain bike.

Back to my own thread after 6 months . . . I wasn't able to get the Hincapie covers. Now I'm looking again.

I've never had luck getting PI covers to fit my shoes. XXL is too small. I have an Endura jacket that is very well made, so I'm inclined to try their covers.

of course i replace the bag every day!

bag goes outside the shoe man. between the bootie and the shoe. warm socks underneath. Last year i put the bag inside the shoe, between two socks. It worked perfectly, but kinda messed up the way the shoe fits.

Maybe theres confusion. i'm not commuting here. I'm trying to ride 30-40 miles at a good clip. When i'm bumming to work, i wear my LLBean boots and i drink a coffee on the way. Thats easy. This is hugely more difficult. It's high speed, and literally 2-3 hours of waterworks when the conditions are bad. I really enjoy it, but the feet can really get nailed.

I am looking for shoe covers that work in the rain. Not mist or just wet roads, but actual drops falling from the sky. I have Gator neoprene booties that work OK in the wind, but not in the rain. I found the Adidas CP rain bootie online, but I need to know if it will fit a 14 (49) mountain shoe (Spec BG).

Any other suggestions are appreciated.

See this thread, "Rainy commuting...here I come !!!":

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=9769272

My reply, just yesterday, was:


When I ride in foul weather on my mountain bike with toeclips, I just wear ankle high rubber Totes overshoes over my riding shoes; no need for a cleat hole. I have access to very cheap paper overshoes worn in the Operating Room to divert static electricity build-up and I wear these over my riding shoes and they allow the Totes to slip on easily.

Finally to keep my feet further dry, and in particular to protect the tops of my socks, I wear cyclidrical bags made of a fairly heavy guage plastic used as bagel freezer bags obtained from a local Bagel Shop (Finagle a Bagel here in Boston). I wear the bags over my socks and tuck the open edge of the bags over the tops of my socks. FWIW.

Thanks. Those MEC covers look good.

no i want waterproof. I have tons of experience in the cold doing highly aerobic activities, both skiing dry fluffy powder snow at 10,000 feet and also riding in slushy roads for hours at 10 degrees F. I can tell you three things:
1 - they've never made breathable ski boots. Ever.
2 - While biking your feet get absolutely destroyed by the splash off the downtube.
3 - There's no way on earth that a dripping wet breathable fabric is going to let vapor out so you'd better be sure it's not going to let ice cold road water in.

So give me insulation, and a bombproof shoe cover that i can tuck up under my tights. Trust me, it's the best way to go.



I understand what you are saying, and I agree with most of it. But I will tell
you that the method that I mentioned works well even if you try to keep things totally waterproof.

If you want to be totally waterproof. There is no way you can keep your foot totally dry. But you can come close. And you can keep the foot in a warm humid environment rather than a cold soaking wet one. If you keep the vapor barrier close to your skin it locks in the warm moisture of your foot from the outside colder moisture. Now you can still use a plastic bag over the outside of the wool insulation layer to keep them dry. In fact, this would probably be the most bombproof method. Then the shoe then a neoprene cover. This is a pain to put all on but it will work if the shoe is not too tight of a fit.

Perhaps I should have been more clear in my post. But with the breathable method I do not use a vapor barrier.

Perhaps the best method I can think of for really wet conditions would be to wear a thin neoprene sock, then a wool sock then another neoprene sock then the shoe and a cover if desired.

One method that I have not heard of anyone using would be to use a loose fitting triathlon shoe with a Totes rubber overshoe and then put the cleat on over the rubber overshoe. If tiny holes the size of the screws are the only holes in the rubber. The cleat should clamp down around the hole and seal it so not much water would get in.

Then of course you would wear what you needed inside the shoe to keep warm and as dry as possible.

Another method might be to use the low cut Totes to cover the bottom of the cycling shoe and then use a neoprene shoe cover over that. The totes would seal most of the water out of the bottom of the shoe.