MorganRaider

I am looking at the GORE Shoe covers to put over some Merrell shoes (street shoes)
these: https://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Prod...Mid-Waterproof

The shoe covers in question are:
Option 1:
1. https://www.realcyclist.com/roadbike/...-Overshoe.html

Option 2:

https://www.realcyclist.com/roadbike/...-Overshoe.html

Has anyone had experience with any of these ?
Can you get the option 2 covers over regular shoes ?

Thanks,

Hezz

Generally bike shoe covers are pretty form fitting and meant to fit over cycling shoes. You may have trouble getting them to fit over standard light hikers unless you have a small foot and can use over-sized shoe covers.

Eclectus

In general, Gore is a really good company. Founded by engineers, always ranked high in Fortune's Best Companies To Work For. They let employees choose the managers they want to work under. If they make a crappy product, they WANT returns and complaints, to make good, and learn from. In warm footwear a lot companies including premier Sidi in cycling, Asolo, Lowa, LaSportiva, Mammut-Raichle, Vasque (every top Italian, Swiss and German boot mfr) in mountain sports use Gore-Tex. realcyclist is backcountry.com, which has a 30-day no questions asked return guarantee. If REI sells it, it's unlimited user-satisfaction guaranteed. Except for postage, it's a no-cost deal.

PaulRivers

I own the City Overshoes. I think they're overpriced, but I got them on sale, I really needed them right then, and last year they were pretty much the only option for waterproof protect (this year there's a couple more that are cheaper).

I cannot say for sure, but I think the other poster who said they wouldn't fit over regular shoes is likely wrong. He's probably thinking of booties, which are designed to fit snugly, the overshoes are quite as snug of a fit.

Now just to disagree with myself, the gore overshoes also have an elastic section that goes across the middle bottom of the overshoe. On bike shoes there's a big open section, so when you walk around the elastic part doesn't hit the ground, so it doesn't get ground down. But with the regular boots, you might wear through that piece. It doesn't look from the pic like the Merrels's have much clearance on the bottom for that.


The goretext overshoes have worked great for me so far, keeping my feet dry even in a drenching, pouring rain (well, for like half an hour, that's the longest I've been out so far). Being that they're the same price, I see no reason to get the windstopper version over the goretext version.

However, if you're planning on wearing regular boots, perhaps fully waterproof boots would be the thing to buy in the first place?

MorganRaider

Paul - thanks for the info. I thought about the same thing with regard to already having supposedly waterproof boots. (I still need to test the boots.) My secondary purpose in looking at these is for warmth when it starts to get really cold. So I figure on cold days I would be covered temperature and rain, if it occurs. Also, I don't hold out much hope for the boots staying waterproof on a bike for extended periods of time say 2-4 hrs.

PaulRivers

2-4 hours? Wow, what are you doing that you're biking 2-4 long in a row in winter? (Another way to put it - are you training for something rather than just commuting?)

One thought I had was that I've heard good things about the dedicated Lake Winter Cycling Shoe:
https://www.lakecycling.com/mxz302-p-111.html

My understanding was that it's waterproof...but now that I've looked it up it doesn't actually say that on the page, so...hmm. I know if has a reputation as the warmest winter cycling-specific shoe you can buy.

Hmm. Wish I had better suggestions.

MorganRaider

Thanks for the link on the LAKE boots. Right now I want to stay with platform pedals. I am "training" to lose weight first, then we will see after that. 3 hrs would probably be max ride in dead of winter. I want to ride all seasons and need the flexibility to get out when I have the time and not worry about weather. I went ahead and ordered the covers based on your favorable feedback. Thanks again.

PaulRivers

*wWell, with the cost of the covers + the cost of new boots (if you're buying new boots), you're edging up on the cost of the Lake shoes. I mention them only because I would think you could wear them without cleats on regular platform pedals.

The gore covers do have one advantage, which is the reason I got them - they can also be used at 40 degrees in the rain, or at 50 degrees in the rain, which I imagine the Lake winter shoes would be ay* to hot at. So maybe they are the best choice. :-)

Glad I could be helpful!