icedub

Hi All,

I'm planning a short tour (one month) in the Pacific north west starting in about a month. There's a good possibility that I'll be riding in a bit of rain. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good set of waterproof booties?

I found these on Nashbar, and I love the idea of having GoreTex since it's nice and breathable. Has anyone tried these?

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Produc...oductId=511787

GeoKrpan

If you're wearing rain pants it will work, if not rain will dribble down your leg and get into the bootie.
I noticed that in the French Alps the locals made no effort to keep their feet dry. Many just took off their socks.

pasopia

I really like the rain booties MEC makes:

https://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cyclin...ers-unisex.jsp

As the other poster said, rain paints are essential for them to work best. They also make pretty good wind protection. I used them a lot in South America this year, they are pretty durable if you don't walk around in them much.

Pain

That looks like something for snow boots. Not going to be that cold and wet in Sept-Oct to need something that extreme; fall in the NW is even sometimes nicer than summer. Some neoprene toe covers is all you need to keep spray from the front tire from getting in the shoe vents.

fietsbob

Showers Pass offers some too.. light and easy to pack.

I live here, so LL Bean boots are the winter foot wear,
platform pedals, new: Ergons..

this winter I'm trying the Grunden's Bike cape.. from Riv Bike.

Carhartt parka in Neon lime ..with wide ANSI reflective stripes
is my favorite, last winter.. roadside worker's gear.

LeeG

$.02 is carry some sandwich plastic bags if you're feet are getting cold and just put on dry socks when you're done riding. I used goretex sock over thin socks for cold weather/rain then rain pants if it's driving rain.

icedub

That price is a lot more doable then the gore tex booties. I know it might be overkill, but it can definitely be very rainy in the pacific northwest. Or not. It's hit or miss.

My shoes are the Specialized Sport Touring model and they have a lot of mesh venting on the top. I would imagine that water would start seeping in almost immediately after it starts raining. So that's why I'm kinda bent on getting something that covers me.

I have a decent pair of rain pants and see what you mean about having to use them together.

LeeG

icedub, I've been using goretex socks for a few years now. Your feet will stay 100% dry walking in ankle deep puddles and they'll roll up smaller than rain booties. The only issue is whether your shoes are loose enough to wear them. I could be wrong but I don't think rain booties will keep your feet dry if you're standing in a puddle. When I want max coverage from cold soaking rain/sleet/snow I'll wear those under rain pants.

fietsbob

Shimano (etc.) sandals and goretex sock covers or seal skin socks are good,
a Phred Tourists favorite..
sandal as it is adjustable will fit over thick socks+ boot liners, etc.

or thin socks, to none, thru that adjustment.

bktourer1

https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...oducts_id=6658

Try these. I have used them and they work well for me

Booger1

For rain,I wear leather shoes,rain pants and gators to keep the water out of my shoes.No fashion statement but my feet are dry.If it's warm rain,I get wet,feet and all.

Shifty

+1 What you show is WAY overkill for Sept Oct in the PNW. I ride here all year and seldom ever where anything more than toe covers, I own the larger neoprene shoe covers, but seldom use them.

Cyclebum

DIY.

It is not hard to fashion booties yourself from 0.4 mil builder's plastic. Tough stuff. Some snips here and there, duct or Gorilla tape. Velcro for closer in the back. Oversize a bit for easy on/off. Cut out the sole area as needed for the pedals. Carry some tape for field repairs. Cheap, light, effective, and packs down small.

BigBlueToe

I have the MEC shoe covers and they work well. I wear size 14 shoes and finding something to fit over them was tough. The MEC covers do. I think the key is they don't cover the sole, just the top.

njkayaker

Water will start seeping-in immediately into any/every bicycling shoe (without a cover). Keep in mind that water will run down your leg into any shoe. Your shoes are not going to be any wetter. (You'd need particularly unusual shoes to really be drier.)

===============

If you aren't already using them, you might consider using fenders. You'll also be happier if other people in your group are using them as well.

While fenders won't keep you (much) drier in a deluge, they can keep you drier in many other situations (and much less grittier too).

Altamont

where is Washington State will you be touring? if you're here in Aug/Sept, chances are it'll be a lot dryer than touring anywhere in the east. pretty much the only chance of much rain would be if you're in the Olympic National Park area. it rarely rains in Washington that time of the year. plan on 70 and sunny west of the cascades, 80-90 and sunny east of that. even though the weather this year has been bizarre don't over prepare with a bunch of rain gear you wont need.

Northwestrider

hmmmm . I don't know I'd agree with you for a
September ride, in any case hope for the best, plan for the worst.

aroundoz

+1. I have owned them for years and the work great. I use them with sandals and skinz when it's really wet and cold.

I grew up in WA and if you will be on the west side of the mountains, I wouldn't go without them because it can get really wet any time of the year. East of the Cascades will obviously be drier.

Six jours

My feet may sweat more than average, but I've never found a way to keep them dry in the rain. Anything that's waterproof enough to keep the rain out is waterproof enough to keep my sweat in, including Gore-Tex and other miracle fibers. So I personally don't bother with things like plastic bags and such, which only substitute internal moisture for external moisture. When it's cold and wet, then I just use whatever cheap neoprene booties I can find. My feet will still be wet, but at least they're warm and wet!

icedub

I am using fenders for this trip as well. There's just one other person in my party, who is also contemplating rain booties. It seems like the dominant opinion in this thread is that simple neoprene toe covers plus fenders will be fine for most situations.

As for timing, We start riding from Vancouver on or around Sept 12, and hope to be in San Francisco by October 12.

Tentative route map is here:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=...8f4280c3&msa=0

Cyclebum

Looks like your timing is near perfect for this trip. Less tourist traffic and I'll bet very little rain. Fall is generally the best time of year for touring anywhere in the US.

BigBlueToe

The MEC covers don't go all the way over your shoes. They don't cover the soles. I never had notices wet-from-sweat feet being a problem. Any shoe cover will leak if you don't have rain paints. If you have a rain coat and no rain pants the rain will run off the coat onto your shorts. It's like roofing a house or installing gutters and downspouts. The lower section has to be inside or under the upper section.

djb

another supporter of MEC booties, have had the same pair for ages. As stated, if you dont walk around in them too much on cement, they will last for as long as Ive had mine, probably well over 10 years.
Very good rain protection, as blue says, they dont cover the soles which is good for some airing out if it is warm and I too have never had serious problems with being sweaty in them (a bit, but that is normal if it is hot)

ditto on having to use rain pants or rain will just go in top.

ditto also having used them much more for cool weather wind protection. With thick wool socks, I use them regularly down to close to freezing as I tend to ride into December here and they make rides in the 2, 3 C and up temp comfortable for my feet (socks important tho of course)

I would not travel without them.

Altamont

don't forget the trip report when you get back, including the weather! have fun.

LeeG

absolutely best time to travel.