Touring - Booties for the wetness

I am looking for some booties to slip on to my shoes to keep them from getting wet. I've seen some out in the stores, they seem pretty spendy. I wonder if any of you guys have had any experience with them or could reccomend a brand. I'm looking for something to keep the wet off not so much for the cold.

Peace

Dave

Getting Ready!

Good luck! I have found that the Neopreene ones work best for me. They are good in the rain and in cold even though that is not your concern. They are heavy and dont pack very tight. But I looked in almost every shop in Denver/Boulder and that is all i could find. MAke sure it has a sturdy Zipper.

I hit a cold wet stretch of weather last fall on a tour. I got tired of wet cold feet. I stoped in a bike Shop and bought a pair of booties. I think they were about 40 or 45 bucks. it was the only pair they had left. THese didnt have a zipper instead they had velcro in the back I sliped them on over the bike shoes and velcroed them closed. they worked pretty good. to keep me dry and the added feature of keeping me warm also.

can you can get by with out them? sure, i did for many years. In warm weather i dont mind wet feet but when the weather got cold that was different story. the booties roled up compact enopugh to store in one of the frount panieers they ont take up much room and dont weigh much. and were accessable when needed.
catfish

I have three solutions:

I own a pair of Performance neoprene booties that I use for cold weather and/or when I expect it to rain. The biggest size is too small to fit over my size 44 Specialized Rockhopper Comp MTB shoes, but they fit over my Answer SPD sneakers just fine.

And, I always carry a few plastic grocery bags. Like stainless wire, zip ties, rubber bands, and gaffer tape, these bags are very versatile emergency tools. If surprised by rain, I just pull a couple of bags over my shoes and rubber-band the ankles. I just clip in right through them, as if they weren't there.

In warmer weather I usually ride in SPD sandals and I don't worry about rain. Some people recommend buying neoprene socks and wearing them under SPD sandals in the rain, but I've never tried it. I might, though, since this sounds like it might be more effective in lower temperatures.

RichC

hey Rich:
how do you like those SPD sandles? i ve seen people with them but havent tried them my self just wondering
catfish

Originally posted by catfish
hey Rich:
how do you like those SPD sandles?

Love 'em. They're the most comfortable sandals I've owned, regardless of their SPD compatibility. I got mine last summer and found myself just wearing them all day, on or off the bike. (Your feet may vary.)

I can't wait until morning temps get warm enough that I can start commuting in them again.

RichC

I saw some bikers up here in Seattle wearing thinner than neoprene booties. They almost looked like lycra and were very snug to the shoes. I saw these at a bike store but don't remember the brand name or the material. They look like a good solution to wet but not so cold weather.
Do you guys know what I'm talking about? I'm not sure I'll need the heavy neoprene for cold, but I'd like something more to keep the rain out.

Dave

In cold wet weather you can wear sandles with socks and goretex oversock; a dry-suit instead of a wetsuit.

I use the plastic bag trick on cold wet days, with the bags between my shoes and socks.

In winter I generally wear waterproof footwear. Riding in mesh shoes on a foul winters day is bizzare.