Cycling UK Forum

There are different ways of doing it and different products that work in combination, but basically if you really want dry feet you have to have truly waterproof trousers (overtrousers) that overlap truly waterproof shoe covers through the entire leg movement. That way water running down the trouser does not go in the top of the shoe cover.


Those Decathlon overtrousers mentioned upthread, with trouser and a cover for the upper shoe as one item, look potentially useful for commuting.

John_S wrote:These bib tights are really nice but I've now got a problem that I didn't have before. The bib tights have a bit of water repellence so whereas my old fleece trousers just soaked up the rain now, to a certain extent, the rain runs down the bib tights and straight into my shoes giving me wet feet.

I just wondered if other people have this problem and if so how they've solved it?

It probably wasn't just the trousers soaking up rain. Your trousers probably had leg cuffs on that dripped most of the water onto the outside of your shoes.

I solve the problem mainly by wearing trousers not tights. If I'm wearing overshoes, I take care to put the top of the overshoe inside my trousers, but I'm not a big fan of overshoes because once they get wet, they hold water against the shoe and they seem to get filthy quickly so want washing after most rides and they're hand-wash ones. Maybe there are more practical overshoes out there, but almost all of them seem to have holes in the bottoms for pedal attachment, so they're never going to be watertight.

In lighter rain, I either try to keep my feet hot enough in thermal socks to evaporate the water off the socks and shoe outers, or wear leather-ish shoes which are a bit more water-resistant. On longer rides, that's not going to work for long enough even in lighter rain, so that's when I've concentrated on warmth over waterproofing, trying to choose socks like merino that remain warm when wet.

On really wet and cold days, I'll wear my boots which have rain gutters up the sides of the tongue, that channel the water off the sides. They're even more expensive now than when I got mine over a decade ago but I've taken care of them and I think I can get the soles replaced when I finally wear them down too far, so I think they're better value than buying cheap often. I've used the boots mainly for walking, over some quite harsh terrain (not Welsh flint, though, which killed a previous pair of boots I had) and only occasionally for cycling.

Just to add, when you have finally found a combination of trousers and overshoes that keeps the rain out, sealing the underside of the shoe where the cleats fit can be done pretty well with bathroom silicone sealant. It can be picked off if you ever need to.

A couple of pointers,
A good mudflaps made from either builders DPC(ask any bricklayer or builder for about 30cm) or ask at a tyre fitters who do trucks,for an old truck inner tube.
Cut the flap about 75 to 100mm wide and cut it to within 25mm of the road surface,attach to front mud guard with a small bolt.
Eager overshoes work well but for all day rain water still gets in at the top to stop this cut the cuffs off a pair of marigolds rubber gloves fitting them over the ankle cuffs of the Eagers they make an almost water tight seal.
Eager also make knee length over shoes which eliminate the previous tip.

I don't like waterproof overtrousers,they just make me sweat and overheat.I much prefer windproof Montane featherlite trail pants not waterproof but quite water resistant for 10 miles or so in heavy rain

EDIT:- when buying Eager overshoes buy a size smaller than shoe size as they size up quite large

one further thought is that there are (were?) such things as spats, which I suppose are a bit like overshoes but leave the rear of the ankle/foot more exposed. They have many of the same issues as overshoes (with water leaking in from above etc) but you are less likely to overheat in them and they are perhaps a bit easier to put on and take off.

BTW getting wet feet is not especially pleasant, but the worst thing about it is if your feet also get cold in the process. A few of the options you have may still allow your feet to get wet but may better keep them from getting cold in the process. IME if it rains hard enough for long enough, wet feet are almost certain; the best you can hope for is that you can usefully delay the inevitable.

cheers

Have tried a variety of methods and now just deal with wet feet. One option might be to put socks on, put plastic bags over, then put bibtights so they are outside the bags....

Waterproof socks and overshoes. Also make a gasket. Marigold gloves are OK but a 4" length ofv motorcycle inner tube is way better. Always put this against a bare leg and any trousers over the top. The seal is enough to makecwaterproof socks into wellys.

eileithyia wrote: .......................just deal with wet feet ...........................

By far the easiest solution.
Let them get wet.

Mick F wrote:

eileithyia wrote: .......................just deal with wet feet ...........................

By far the easiest solution.
Let them get wet.

If you deliberately set them before you leave then they can’t getvwet

I commuted in Scotland for couple of years in and out of Clyde Submarine Base. Initially, it was seven miles each way, then latterly (after we moved house) fourteen miles each way.

From October onwards until the spring(?) it rained every day both ways. I got soaked going in and my stuff dried on the radiators. I got soaked going home and my stuff dried on the radiators. .................... ad infinitum.

Doh! Forgot to mention tights on the outside of the overshoes

Make sure your waterproofs are outside of your wellies.
I used to lead off road rides and when the others would turn up and see me in my wellies they knew they were in for a wet one!

When commuting I sometimes use overshoes in "proper" rain but it's only a few times a year when it might be worth it. Overshoes don't entirely keep shoes dry but slightly damp shoes are not much of a problem. More often I just allow my feet to get wet and dry my shoes on radiators or using an electric fan. In my experience, wet weather coincides with mildness so cold feet are not an issue. Perhaps if I lived in a wetter part of the country I'd act differently.

In the summer I wear sandals.

Phileas wrote:... Perhaps if I lived in a wetter part of the country I'd act differently....

Brizzul? Is there a wetter part of the country....?....



cheers

Hi,
Tesco plastic bags and lacky bands used to be the norm, and remember one for the saddle.

I don't tend to wear trousers much.
Whatever exercise you do bare legs will be problematic with overshoes / gaiters etc.
Lycra trousers allow water to run down the skin as said.
Damp feet from condensation also as said.

From making my own spats out of old leggings poppered to my shoes 43 years ago, a revelation I now use cheap so called breathable overshoes, they are light weight but need proofing, works OK, and carry spares as they are light, needs a bit of work with the sewing machine too.
Not done much all day wet riding of late, but will be taking two sets of overshoes and spare socks in future.

Not sure what else you can do, there must be a combination of stuff that works well, same with gloves, waterproof and they fill with rain or sweat.

On motorcycles a handlebar fairing or muffs would keep the dreaded wind of your gloved hands, two hours in hell would transform into all day comfort
Needs something similar on bicycles
Remember that breathable in that environment will be almost impossible.

Walking is similar but easier to deal with, good boots and gaiters are mandatory, then a long knee length waterproof jacket is a good combination, even with shorts.