Rainy days Shoe cover
 

Almost every provider claim his covers are "Water proof". Could you help with a cover that is really is water proof? Don't give me answers based on providers spec, as there is a big diff between what is written and what happens on a rainy ride...

Recommend based on your experience. Would be happy to know also those that I should avoid...

Thanks.

Nope. There is no such thing. They've got large holes in the bottom!!

And there really isn't as much need for waterproof as there is for windproof. It's OK for your feet to get wet, as long as you keep the wind off and keep your feet warm.

These are pretty good for keeping the wind off and keeping your feet warm in rainy weather. They can also keep your feet dry in a light drizzle. I just wore them again today.
http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cyclin...ers-unisex.jsp

If you install mudguards most of the water will come from the upper side so the clearances on the bottom are not that of an issue. Those covers that provide good wind blocking are not good when it comes to water.
Any experience with Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Barrier WxB Shoe Covers?

Even with mudguards, you'll still get water up from underneath, especially if you end up in a puddle that is deeper than first anticipated.

Also, if you wear tights or have socks sticking out from the top of the bootie, there will be a wicking effect.

No, I have no experience with Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Barrier WxB Shoe Covers. I found the MEC ones I linked to above, liked them for both their wind (very good) and water (reasonable) protection, and stuck with them. I do, however, use neoprene booties for cold weather.


Oh, I did try a pair of knee-high booties which I picked up from either Decathlon or Go Sport in France in 2007. Excellent idea, but when worn they kept sliding down and bunching around the ankles.

I haven't found a shoe that is waterproof during a steady rain, the water drips down my leg and eventually creeps into the shoe.

Assuming you ride with some level of exertion, you will sweat and get wet from the inside. My socks and shoe covers are damp/wet on the inside after a good cold dry ride.

I wear neoprene booties in the rain, but I find that while my feet may stay dry for the first 10km or so, after that I can feel my feet start to get wet more than can be accounted for than just by sweat. It seems likely to me that water is coming in from somewhere around the cleat.

However, despite getting wet feet the booties do at least keep my feet WARM, which is at least as important as dry.

The biggest problem are the holes at the bottom, the seam at the top (ankle/bootie).

Use supermarket plastic bags over your shoe/cleat, taped above ankle to your skin. Unless you have Speedplays or other super fine cleats, you can clip in/out fine 4-5-6 times. You'll be dry for about an hour (my experience, using Looks, duct tape).

Yes your foot gets wet from sweat etc.

You stay warmer, less/no wind, much much better when cold rain (35-40 deg).

Í can tell you the BBB Waterflex aren't waterproof. They were ok while climbing and I wasn't going too fast but as soon as I started descending at speed they soon let the water in. I have heard good things about Tarmac shoe covers (do a search on eBay) but I suspect as Machka said they will be no good either because they have the cleat holes in trhe bottom.

The Gore stuff seems to be pretty good. Ditto with the Castelli stuff. I have some Gore insulated covers that do a pretty good job till the H2O drips down from my shins.

I also own some Cabela's Gore Tex socks I use mtn biking. Those are the bee's knees if you have to get off the bike and run/hike-a-bike/etc

M

HTFU shoe covers are great. Also the backpack of courage comes in handy on a busy MUP.

This doesn't really answer your question....but in a pinch this works surprisingly great to keep the toes warm.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=227602

[QUOTE=mossi;13510441what happens on a rainy ride...
Recommend based on your experience.
Thanks.[/QUOTE]

we don;t get a lot of rain weather out here in SoCal, so when it comes I make it a point to go ride (unless I'm on skis...)
I'm Spent my younger years on the East Coast, so always did a lot of rain ridin. I like it.

2 things which concern me
warm feet - warm feet and hands means I'm good everywhere else
keeping shoe dry so it doesn;t get water logged.
I rarely go out for less than 2 hrs. more often 2.5 to 3 hrs.
it's a toss up whether I go road or do some fun muddin MTB.
what works for me
I have/keep and older pr of shoes for rain
inside to out
synthetic socks - not cotton
plastic bag over socks - the plastic bags our newspaper is delivered in is perfect
then into the shoe...
plastic bag over the shoe - length to just under calf
old cheap soccer sock over plastic bag - sock is cut out for the cleat
rubber band to hold up soccer sock & plastic bag
you can buy cheap soccer socks - the nasty, thin, uncomforable (on the feet) kind, Brand new for $3 or $4 - purrfect to keep everything tight to the leg and they drain very quick while ridin...
the key is getting a decent seal at the top of the sock/plastic bag with the rubberband.

after 2+ hrs the shoes are still dry, the feet are sweated up and wet inside the inner bag, but warm - works great :thumb:

cheepie polarfleece gloves - like you find in a Walgreens - work great
hands are wet, but the fleece drains quick and hands stay pretty warm.

cheepie thin ski headband for the ears

orange or yellow lense glasses

it's rainin hard right now - goin out for a ride in an 1hr...

I have only two long rides on my Showers Pass shoe covers, but they seem to work well. The large fit over my size 11 shoes perfectly. You cut your own hole in the sole, so a bit of nervousness there for me (measure twice cut once).

I did find that using one of the velcro straps that are sold to keep your britches out of the chain just above my ankle, over the covers, locks them in place better. I have not ridden hours in torrents of rain, yet (not particularly enthused to do so), but it rained cats and dogs on the last ride for quite a while. My feet were almost too warm, and were wet from sweat (temp was mid-40's). I believe the shoe covers go for about $30.

I also have some mtn biking boots from a number of years ago. They are quite large, so I have room for extra sock thickness AND can use the plastic baggie approach for my commute (about 45 mins). I have also scotch-guarded them, so maybe they will work, too.