I currently have some Pearl Izumi AmFib shoe covers. Today was our first rain in a while so my first chance to try them out. They were horrible!!!!! I was only coming home from class when it was raining. It is only 15 minute ride and my toes were soaked. Only thing I can think of is water came up from the opening in the bottom for the cleat. If they get so wet in only a 15 minute ride, there is no way that is going to cut it for my 45 minute commute to work.

Any ideas? Any better products? I'm thinking of returning the covers and just getting some waterproof socks. I did some searches and that is most peoples solution is to wear sandals. Sorry, not a sandal guy, so that is out.

Thanks in advance,
Tim

I have a set of neoprene booties that are similar to the amfib. In heavy rain, I get wet feet. On long rides in light rain I get wet feet. I think that you are right and it is a characteristic of booties...they just can't seal around the cleats. I also found that even limited walking tore up the toes. Two of my buddies swear by goretex socks....they look awfully stiff but they claim that thier feet are dry. Of course the shoe is full of water, but the feet are dry.

Ok. At least it is not me. I expected some wetness, just did not expect it after only 5-7 minutes on the road. It wasn't even a heavy rain. My only concern about waterproof socks is my shoes not drying out by the time I leave work to come home. I guess it might not matter if I put the same socks back on.
Tim

Forget about PIs, they're useless in the rain. I use the Craft nemos, and they're fantastic: they're snug and really keep your feet dry in downpours. The only downside is that if you walk in them a lot, they'll get torn up pretty badly. The guy at my LBS tells me booties aren't supposed to last more than a season anyway. Not sure I agree with that (especially at $50 a pair!), but until I find something better, I'm sticking with Craft.

There is a brand of waterproof socks called Sealskinz. I have some, but have not tried them in the rain because before I got the chance to try them I hit upon the idea of using waterproof six-inch hiking boots as my biking "shoes."

Yeah, it was the Sealskinz that my friends use. We toured Norway and they were the only ones with dry feet. They look kind of stiff and bulky. I might give the Craft a go, but they sure have to last more than a year!!! hate cold wet feet

ps. in the bad old days, I wrapped a piece of saran wrap around each foot and terminated it with duct tape. That actually worked but is a bit of a process for just short rides.

I have a pair of both the Nashbar Shoe Cover and the Bootie. Both feet will get wet over time (~45) in a steady, heavy rain. This is while using generic MTB type shoes with Crank Bros pedals. By wet, I mean damp, maybe wring a bit of water out of the sock.

If I use my covers over my Lake MXZ300 while wearing neoprene socks, well, thats like belts and suspenders on bib overalls.

One practice I have found helpful is to wrap the shoe in a cut down plastic bag before pulling on the outer cover. Since I only clip in and out once or twice my entire ride, the bag stays more or less intact and helps seal out the weather.

The downside is trying to scrounge up bags at work.

Just passing on a tip i picked up on BF somewhere along the way: putting wads of newspaper in your shoes sucks the moisture out and dries them like you wouldn't believe. I've put newspaper in soaking wet shoes at 9am and by 4pm they were dry as a bone!

Cheers,
Tom in Osaka

Ditto the waterproof/breatheable socks.
Make sure they're a goretex or similar type fabric so that your sweat gets wicked out.
Wear a thin wicking sock then the goretex socks over it.

Booties and shoe covers are really meant for light rain or wind.
For anything heavy, look for goretex.

Older gen. goretex is stiff, the newer stuff is stretchy while remaining waterproof.

I usually just resign myself to the fact that my feet will get wet and carry extra socks. I'll try the newspaper in the booties. It sounds great.

Koffee

Thanks for all the information and ideas. I think I'll be returning these covers and trying some waterproof socks. I think I saw those sealskinz in my LBS and they were 20 bucks cheaper than the covers which is just a bonus.


Tim

I have been considering getting some overshoes, like this...
https://www.shoemall.com/ProductDetai...d=1074AF1657DA

...and cutting a whole in the bottom for my cleat.

I commuted in Seattle for years. Sealskinz are the way to go. Cheers. Jim

ditch the covers, ditch the socks and buy Shimano winter boots. Did it last year and never looked back. OK cost money but they will last 4/5 years I reckon and will pay back in spades. I too have a 45 mins cycle to work. I put a nice pair of merino wool socks underneath, results nice wamr dry feet. No slobbering with shoes covers - one less thing to look out for

I generally like Pearl Izumi stuff, but in my experience the Amfib shoe covers are just sponges. I got neoprene shoe covers from Performance on sale for about $20 bucks and they keep my feet pretty dry and warm. Smartwool socks help, too.

Ditto here. Sandals and wool socks. Change of socks when I get there.

Any idea where these can be found?

Unless you put your foot in a puddle, I don't see how much water can come in through the BOTTOM of the shoe.

The trick is to keep the water out of the shoe in the first place. More than likely the water is either running down your leg or entering by the ankle.

You can either wear a gaiter that covers entire the top of the shoe or attach a waterproof fabric swatch that extends from the bottom of the rain pant.

Yes! agreed. if there's a week of rain...it'll become very apparent that the inside of shoes should stay dry.
For seal skin fans...Once the inside of that shoe is wet...weird oders ... and good luck getting them to dry out any time soon...

https://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?p...endorCode=SIDI

These have a neoprene cuff to keep the water coming down your leg from entering the shoe and they don't have the vent holes in the bottom of the shoes. Supposed to be really nice. Pricy but may be worth it depending on your situation.

It comes in through the hole where the cleats for clipless pedals attach. But I see your point. I'll have to investigate using silicone to seal that hole.

i use these, but mine only go up to the ankle. i paid $12 at a farm supply store. rain pants with stirrups keep the rain from getting in the top. just rode around in the rain for an hour or two yesterday at 40-50 F and everything was warm and dry.