Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Winter/Rain bootie advise sought

After the last two day of biking in the cold Dutch rain, I'm fed up with my feet being cold. I am looking for some advise about foot covers/booties to help keep my shoes dry and warm. Once my shoes got wet, it was a miserable evening :(

I would like them to go up the calf-if possible- and I need to them fit around an 18" calf (I have a leg brace on one side). I use a simple platform pedal, so bottom tread is not a concern. Any ideas or recommendations guys?

Rona

Just a suggestion.

Have you given any thought to using Gore-Tex Oversocks and a pair of waterproof gaiters?

I know this isn't on topic...but I would love to have your problems.

It has easily broken way past triple digits (38 C) pretty much every day since mid-July here, and a severe drought to boot.

http://www.rei.com/product/688268/rocky-gore-tex-oversocks-socks

oooOOOoooo... no I hadn't thought of oversocks. I've never paid attention to socks that go inside your shoes. I had been thinking about stuff like this: http://www.bikemania.biz/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Teo_MTBBooties_Rebell_NC But I'm afraid to spend money on something that may not work or may leak without some input from others. I may take a trip to some of the bike stores this week to look around and see what's available. I'm even willing to try something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Lightweight-Motorcycle-Cycling-Cover-Black/dp/B005DWVFRM

I know this isn't on topic...but I would love to have your problems.

It has easily broken way past triple digits (38 C) pretty much every day since mid-July here, and a severe drought to boot.

Yeah... America has it really rough right now. I wouldn't want to be there either. I lived in Tennessee for years and hated the summers.

Here it's rarely over 80F but it's wet every day.

hard to find covers for feet that fit over the shoes for people that have a size 13 plus foot

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/ZXCLPXMERLS/planet-x-and-on-one-100-percent-merino-wool-ls-top-bundle

I got to reading the London Fixed Gear forums for a while this afternoon. Someone mentioned that they were having merino wool on sale, so I checked it out. They have a special deal where you can get a wool jersey, overshoes and hat in a group package. I ordered the sweater for my hubby.. got the neoprene overshoes for me :D we'll have to fight over the hat! lol

I'll ride in the rain, and will start out in anything less than drenching. I agree that wet feet are the most uncomfortable part. What works for me is a plastic bag over my socks with the bag opening tucked in over the socks; then I put on the shoes. Another plastic bag goes over the shoes, and if I'm wearing cycling tights, the ankle of the tights is over the second plastic bag. Finally I use a pair of rubber boots, like Totes over the second plastic bag. My current Totes have a couple small holes in them, but the above described system still keeps my feet and shoes free of rainwater. At the end of the ride my feet still may be damp from perspiration, but it's hardly noticeable compared to drenching rain and I'm comfortable.

Try Rivendell Splats.
http://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com/2010/12/rivendell-musa-slpats.html
http://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com/2011/07/hey-remember-these.html
http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/musa-splats-pair/60-053
They are incredibly simple, durable,dorky looking and very effective.

Marc

What works for me is a plastic bag over my socks with the bag opening tucked in over the socks; This brought back memories! My mother and I when I was a little girl used to put bread bags over our socks in the height of winter, then slip our feet into our boots. My feet would always come out smelling like bread afterwards.

Yes, much better than being soaked :D

irwin: do they work with cleats for clipless?

I use these shoe covers http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cycling/ShoeCovers/PRD~5009-241/mec-cycling-shoe-covers-unisex.jsp in XXL and they are a tight fit on my size 12 running shoes and just ok around my 18" calfs. The cut could be a bit more generous but they work well to keep my feet dry. I use them under my rainpants. They are open at the bottom so are suitable for clipless use.

irwin: do they work with cleats for clipless?

They'll work with any shoe. They work with half toe clips also, they might fit overregular toeclips and straps,but I think that would be a hassle. SPD clips are no problem at all.Two pieces of velcro,one at the heel and another wraps around the instep. It's amazing that something that simple can work so well.

Marc

Insulated winter waterproof boots.

I don't ride in the rain if I can help it, but as a paddler and angler, I have a suggestion: neoprene wading socks under paddling/water shoes or sandals. The socks are insulated and waterproof, and the shoes dry very fast. Coupled with rain pants and maybe waterproof gaiters, they should take care of the wet and the cold.

Neoprene overshoes are good for warmth, but like all overshoes they are vulnerable to water penetration from the top in heavy rain. The same applies to gore-Tex socks, but worse - once the water is inside them, it can't get out. If you want a tip from a professional, Bradley Wiggins (currently in the lead in the Vuelta a Espana) wraps his feet in clingfilm under his socks before going out training in the winter. I've tried it, and it works surprisingly well, keeping your feet warmish and dry even when shoes and socks are wet. I'm guessing it's a high-risk activity with regard to athlete's foot, though...

http://www.simmsfishing.com/site/guide_model_gravel_guards_.html

I use these over goretex boots. They work fine for now :)

The only things that really got cold were my feet and hands. Wet doesnt bother me as long as I stay warm. These worked great for me and fit over my size 14 clipless shoes - http://www.amazon.com/XLC-Neoprene-Booties-Large-Black/dp/B0037N316W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314835958&sr=8-1 They keep you warm, not dry.

So basically there is no solution for riders in this area.... especially if you wear cleats.

So basically there is no solution for riders in this area.... especially if you wear cleats.Do you mean the NJ area or something else?

There are several from Gore Bike wear, Peal Izumi, Pro-bikegear and so on that are designed for both spd and look style pedals.
http://www.pro-bikegear.com/publish/content/pro_2010/nl/en/index/products/apparel/shoe_covers.-productCode-PR200167_8.html
http://www.gorebikewear.com/remote/Satellite/MenAccessories
http://www.pearlizumi.com/publish/content/pi_2010/us/en/index/products/men/ride/accessories/2.html

Last year I used a pair of Pro Tarmac NPU+ over both my road [look] & mtb [spd] shoes and found them to be pretty good in both the rain and cold weather. I never tried them when it was well below zero and seriously cold. IMO you really need proper winter boots at that point. :) or just stay inside.

Of course the tops need to be inside / underneath your rain pants / gaiters / tights to avoid water seepage from the top, but, other than that they worked fine for me.

I have found that some are a tough fit. I am a size 13 and can be tough to get over the shoes.