Clip shoes and hard rain. What is the solution?
 

Went for a ride. Got my feet totally soaked. My socks turned to sponges in a matter of seconds.

I figure I have to get neoprene socks or plastic bags.

But then when I really start commuting and it rains one day. I'd like my shoes to be dry the next day. IS there a solution or is this just the way it is?

I don't want to buy different shoes. I just bought those and I like them I'm looking for something like a shoe cover. If not I guess I'll have to live with plastic bags and putting my shoes in front of a fan during the night to get them to dry as much as possible.

my solution is clips and waterproof shoes/boots for the rainy season, clipless once it's nicer out. of course, there are booties and all that, but i find, especially when i'm commuting to places where i want dry feet all day, it's much nicer to just have waterproof shoes.

Most clipless shoes have a plastic mid/outsole and a removable insole. Pull out the insoles when you're done riding and place them on top of something warm [your computer monitor at work is a great spot]. For the shoes, put them someplace where the upper can get dry faster.

Neoprene booties are reasonably effective against water. You'll still get wet, but perhaps not as badly.

I use shimano's sandals. I can ride clipped in, and they adjust to no socks in summer or 4 pairs of socks in winter. At work they dry in about 10 minutes.

Doesnt solve your wanting to use your current shoes though. For that, tape over all the ventilation holes in your shoes, and then get booties.

Plastic bags over the socks usually do the trick for me.

The thing I hate most about clipless in the rain is missing clipping into a pedal because it's slick and racking myself. Ugh.

A front fender with a flap works small miracles in the foot comfort department.

Many of the cycle specific rain shoe covers have a cut out for the cleats so you can wear them, keep your feet dry and warm as needed, and still use your clipless peddles.

I've heard that those rubber Totes that go over shoes are pretty good...You can even cut a hole in the bottom for cleats.

Your shoes will dry much faster if you stuff them with newspaper right away. Brown paper towels at your work's bathroom will work too, but that starts bordering on inappropriate use of your workplace's supplies.

Just get some Gore Tex shoe covers and a front mudguard. Your feet pick up most of the water from the front wheel not the rain that is coming down. And remember to wear your waterproof trousers over the top not underneath.

I wear Gore-tex spd cycling shoes and my feet stay totally dry. and when i'm wearing shorts i wear a small gator so the water doesn't come in thru the top.

Shoe covers work great to reduce how wet your shoes get.
If they are still wet then stuff the shoes with newspaper and then replace the paper after a few hours. I've dried soaking wet shoes during work <10 hours using this technique.
Craig

Waterproof your shoes. I have not had a wet foot problem since I used Camp Dry on my shoes. Just spent the last month commuting in the rain. I used to wear Seal Skinz socks but with the waterproofing working so well I have not worn them all season.

Here's a ghetto solution that works every time for me...get some plastic shopping bags. I save all my bags from when I go grocery shopping, so I have plenty lying around. Just pull them up over your feet, and secure them at the ankle using your pant leg strap, or a rubber band. Once they're on good and snug, you can make a little tear in the sole where the cleat protrudes. Looks like you're homeless, but it really works well.

In the warm months I use Lake sandals. They have a lip to protect your toes a bit. And these are great for the occasional creek or monumental water fountain. When it's 59-33 F I use plastic bags or booties. I think that it is good to have some plastic bags with you for really bad rain.

I do have 2 pairs of shoes and that is worth it. Just get some next year when they go on sale. I've found that switching between 2 pairs now, lasts as long as buying 3 pairs sequentially.

I have tried nearly everything suggested here, and most of them work. But a front fender is the best. Until I got fenders, I didn't realize what a difference it would make in the dry foot/wet foot department. I ride without worrying in rains that formerly turned my shoes to swamps in minutes.

Good coverage fenders with a mudflap and a pair of neoprene booties over your shoes.

Pearl Izumi Amphib Shoe covers...pricey...but they work really well. Worth it if you're going to do a lot of rain riding.

I made my own shoe cover out of sturdy plastic, duct tape, super sticking velcro, and shoe strings. Works for me for the past 6 years.

:eek: We need pics of those, pronto.

I bought Totes rubber booties at the Army/Navy store. they are thin enough to cut out the cleat in the sole. I also removed the inner sole of the shoe and sealed the cleat hole with duct tape to prevent water from coming up through there. I wear some water proof pants over the boots. keep feet completely dry in downpours.

what brand of shoes do you have? and what kind of gator do you use also?

Some, but not all, types of neprene booties are waterproof.

I can never tell visually. If you're in Canada, the MEC ones ARE waterproof, the LG ones I have are not.

If you're looking for something like a shoe cover then I'd suggest a shoe cover!:D
There are nine kinds available at Performance http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_id=1344. I think I have the Descente Element shoe covers, the 3mm neoprene is wind- and waterproof but more stretchy than the heavy neoprene of some others like the Performace bootie. Also, the zippers on some (like the Performance) don't lock well and come unzipped. They all have openings for SPD cleats, these work fine with my Sidi mountain biking shoes.

http://www.performancebike.com/produ...00/10_4113.jpg