Good winter shoes for wet commutes?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Good winter shoes for wet commutes?
I ride around 16 miles round trip on my commute. The last few weeks in Dallas Texas have been quit wet. I was hoping to see what rocomendations are out there for a good pair of shoes for my commute. I was hoping there was something out there that does not hold so much water for obvious reasons (being uncomfortable, drying quiter ect...) Right now i have an old raleigh bike from the 80's so I am just using the regular pedals. I am working on getting a new bike when that happens i will have clipless pedals.
Any recomendations would be appreciated.
Any recomendations would be appreciated.
#3
Senior Member
If you have SPD pedals, I really like Specialized BG Defroster boots. They are pretty warm - if it's over 50 degrees they are a little bit too warm to wear - but for rain under 50 degrees they are great. With extra socks I've been very comfy in long, soaking rain storms, and in temperatures down to 25.
For platfrom pedals, I've not found anything I love. I have used some Goretex Vasquez hiking boots, and they're warm and waterproof, but too heavy. And they slipped around too much on the pedals.
But the Specialized boots are great.
For platfrom pedals, I've not found anything I love. I have used some Goretex Vasquez hiking boots, and they're warm and waterproof, but too heavy. And they slipped around too much on the pedals.
But the Specialized boots are great.
#5
Senior Member
In warm rain you can wear almost anything. I have a pare of Keen water/hiking sandals that work great. I know people who swear by their crocs. I pair of think, stiff, sandals or flip flops that dont hold water. Wooden clogs?
For cold weather I just wear a pair of gators with regular cold weather walking shoes. The gators cover my whole foot and all the way up to just below my knee. Let me go check the brand....They are called Activa and they keep my feet very warm. I cant find a website for them. I also use them with platform pedals though they can be used for clipless too.
For cold weather I just wear a pair of gators with regular cold weather walking shoes. The gators cover my whole foot and all the way up to just below my knee. Let me go check the brand....They are called Activa and they keep my feet very warm. I cant find a website for them. I also use them with platform pedals though they can be used for clipless too.
#8
all-weather commuter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 315
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I wear Endura MT500 shoe covers. https://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx...107&prod_id=26
They keep my shoes try on my 10 mile commute.
They keep my shoes try on my 10 mile commute.
#9
Plays in traffic
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,971
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
9 Posts
I wear Endura MT500 shoe covers. https://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx...107&prod_id=26
They keep my shoes try on my 10 mile commute.
They keep my shoes try on my 10 mile commute.
TIP: I sometimes forget to zip my tights over the booties in the rain. It's too late when I'm reminded by the rain running down inside the booties. In the rain, remember, tights over booties.
When it's below 35 or so, my Lake winter cycling boots are absolutely waterproof. I could go stand in the lake with them on and still have warm, dry feet.
#10
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
I just have some cheap yellow plastic booties that I wear over my shoes. Bottom cut out for cleats. I think they were $8 or so, they're made out of essentially rain poncho material with a couple of velcro straps.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 1,834
Bikes: 05 Trek 5200, 07 Trek 520, 99 GT Karakoram, 08 Surly 1X1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#12
It's true, man.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Texas
Posts: 2,726
Bikes: Cannondale T1000, Inbred SS 29er, Supercaliber 29er, Crescent Mark XX, Burley Rumba Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Riding in Ft Worth, I've been rolling with Shimano spd sandals. Icebreaker or Smartwool socks complete the ensemble. Hasn't been cold enough yet to warrant a shell layer.
#14
on your left.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Posts: 1,802
Bikes: Scott SUB 30, Backtrax MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Since it's Texas, I'm going to assume your winters aren't too harsh....
I would get any SPD mountain shoe, and then get shoe covers and wear wool socks.
for real cold, use clips/straps with waterproof hiking shoes/books and wool socks.
I would get any SPD mountain shoe, and then get shoe covers and wear wool socks.
for real cold, use clips/straps with waterproof hiking shoes/books and wool socks.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Pittsfield, MA
Posts: 633
Bikes: Motobecane Fantom Cross 2008 Schwinn Super Sport 1972 SS. Surly Pacer Rando bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I just ordered these from Amazon. They'll get here later this week or early next week....not soon enough. I'll let you know how they do.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: White Bear Lake Mn
Posts: 764
Bikes: 88 Schwin Voyageur, 84 Schwinn World Sport, 85 Univega Alpina Uno, 85 Fuji Espree, 09 Novara Strada, 06 Jamis Durango, 03 Specialized Expediton Sport, 09 Surly LHT, 12 Novara Gotham
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Chipcom,
I've been thinking of going that way too, at least until it hits sub zero....
How large do you go with the SealSkinz to fit a good wool sock inside and not compress the wool too much? If I wear a medium, would I go to large or XL?
I've been thinking of going that way too, at least until it hits sub zero....
How large do you go with the SealSkinz to fit a good wool sock inside and not compress the wool too much? If I wear a medium, would I go to large or XL?
#19
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Great. Thanks. This will get me started in the right direction...I was not as worried about the cold as it does not get that cold here...more concerned with the shoes getting wet heavy and uncomfortable.... so the skinz/shoe covers look like a great option.
#20
Blocking your fire exits
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 641
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Plastic bags inside my SPD shoes. Tuck them into your pants. Cheap, easily replaceable, and a form of recycling. I tend to lose things, and what I don't lose, I destroy, so gaiters/expensive shoe covers are not for me.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: chicago,il
Posts: 825
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
yup i live in mine all winter here in chicago.here is a review i did of them on my site. https://www.1lesscar.com/reviews/lakeboots.html
#22
Infamous Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 24,360
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
My problem was the velcro on the sandals...I had to do some jury rigging to increase the usable area.
Having big feet sux...I can't imagine what the guys with bigger feet than mine have to go through to get decent regular shoes, let alone cycling shoes.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: White Bear Lake Mn
Posts: 764
Bikes: 88 Schwin Voyageur, 84 Schwinn World Sport, 85 Univega Alpina Uno, 85 Fuji Espree, 09 Novara Strada, 06 Jamis Durango, 03 Specialized Expediton Sport, 09 Surly LHT, 12 Novara Gotham
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks Chipcom!
#24
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 21
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#25
Numb Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Denver
Posts: 95
Bikes: 06 Jamis Quest, 09 Surly LHT, Cannondale mtn. bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I wear a pair of wool socks inside my bike shoes, and on wet days I put a pair of neoprene-ish covers on that just go over the front half of the feet. They keep the toes warm and, unless it's really coming down, dry. The covers were a mere $10 at Performance Bikes. This is not a perfect system but it is economical and works though I haven't tested it in deep-freeze conditions.