Overshoes Advice

[mark_w]

I went out for a quick 20 mile sunday ride yesterday morning at 7am which was utterly brilliant, albeit torrential rain all the way round. My top half was nice, warm and dry-ish in an Altura Nevis waterproof jacket and thermal jersey underneath (well, I would have been bone dry had I not left my side vent zips open for a couple of miles!). Legs were warm under a set of DHB thermal tights (although I have stitched the zips together on the bottom to stop them coming apart).

However, In the last 5 miles or so, my feet were noticeably cool, dripping wet from the puddles and spray from the road. When I got home, I was admonished by MrsW for leaving puddles all over the kitchen whilst posting stuff into the washing machine. Most of the puddles came from my shoes and socks which were utterly sodden.

So thus my question - would overshoes help keep that somewhat at bay? I know they won't be bone dry (cf MickF's issues with Sealskinz which I also use) but they'll stop the majority of the spray and spash going on the front of the shoes and down round the tongue of the shoe which is what was happening yesterday.

I've never ventured into the world of Overshoes, but there seems to be loads to choose from. I've had a hunt around and found nothing specific - so I'm open to advice. I've a pair of Mavic road shoes which are lovely but I'm sure I'm slowly destroying with water (it's taken me well over 24 hours to get them towards dry on top of the radiator and stuffed with newspaper - they were still damp when I left this morning).

What would you recommend?

[Mick F]

I'm following this thread!
I have the same questions!

I've always accepted wet feet. The only thing that I've been able to do, is to wear thin enough socks and shoes that dry quickly.

Surely, in this day and age, with technology as it is, we must be able to ride a bike with dry feet! SealSkins and overtrousers could be the way forward, I suppose, but riding hard in waterproof trousers is challenging.

[NUKe]

I use Endura MTB overshoes they are the same as there roadones but with Kevlar reinforcement on soles and toe works well enough for me . wish I had wore them Yesterday. I was very wet when I got home. Didn't have a waterproof jacket either fortunately my Wind proof Nalini, stayed warm if not dry.

[Big T]

I've used various brands of overshoe over the years. I find with the ones with zips, that the zips breaks sooner or later. I've recently bought a pair of Altura ones with a velcro closure at the rear, which are OK, but difficult to get on. I think the Ozzo and Planet X overshoes have a chunkier zip which may not break so easily. They don't keep your feet totally dry, but are much better than bare shoes. Another tip is to wear a plastic carrier bag between shoe and overshoe (or sock and shoe) which also helps keep feet dry.

[Kirst]

Are there any overshoes for over standard trainers rather than bike shoes?

[iandriver]

I've had mixed results with overshoes, fit being the main problem. I have size 12s which doesn't help. I've found overshoes are designed to be a tight fit. If your shoe has a heel \ sole that allows you to walk, like the Mavic touring version, an ordinary road over shoe may not fit, you'd need an MTB version.

This is one item where I really would try on before you buy if you can.

PS you can get waterproof socks to give you a double barrier but still allow your feet to breath.

[anniesboy]

Im a Yeti with size 13s ,I find Ozzo largest size fit OK ,they have a chunky zip. I found velcro types useless as they would come undone due to my having big feet.
I use them when its cold also when wet.

[Tako]

Face it - you're going to get wet. More important to keep warm. I use those thin grocery bags over wool socks - enough to stop the squelching.

[thirdcrank]

I have some Bereghaus stretch Goretex socks. They work a treat but obviously would allow water to run down your le if used without some sort of overtrousers. I have some Sidi MTB boots and they also work a treat. (The last time this came up, the price had rocketed and other similar models from other mkers were cheaper.) I have some Planet X neoprene overshoes I picked up for something like £1-50 at a one day sale which I use in cold weather. (Yes, I do like warm, dry feet.)

[fausto copy]

From the inside layer out:
1. Thin cycling sock.
2. Supermarket bag.
3. Cycling shoe.
4. Mini gardening overshoe welly thing with slot cut out of bottom to allow cleat to poke through.
5. Goretex overtrousers taped down over welly thing.

At least that's what my mate came up with on a long wet tandem tour of mid-Wales a few years ago.
Unable to describe any pungent smells within his room at night though.

[pq]

Good overshoes will keep your feet dry for quite a while, especially neoprene, or ones which claim to be waterproof. However, water will always get through eventually because of the holes in the bottom for cleats. Waterproof socks will slow things down even more, but your feet can feel very clammy in them. Water will also get in by soaking downwards through whatever you have covering your legs.

Something I reckon will work, but I have yet to try it in the rain is to wear waterproof shoes like Shimano's Goretex SH51s. The usual problem with them is that they fill up with water making your feet wetter than they would be in normal shoes, so my plan is to use my Altura waterproof trousers with gaiters to deflect the water running down my legs to the waterproof outside of the shoe. I reckon that'll keep my feet dry, but since I bought the gaiters I haven't needed to try it.

[mark_w]

Thanks all for the advice. Much appreciated. After reading and digesting everyone's suggestions, I think I've come up with something to try.

I think what I'm probably going to go for is a bit of a hybrid of a couple of suggestions. A pair of BBB 'Hardwear' Overshoes, which are neoprene but with the kevlar reinforced bits, and then a pair of Endura Stealth Tights which are waterproof and have taped seams and are designed to sit over the overshoes at the ankle, which should make the water run off, over the overshoes and not into the socks. Cos they don't have an insert, I'll probably have some regular shorts on underneath for the insert.

I'll let you know how I get on.

[reohn2]

I use Eager overshoes http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Eage ... e-7044.htm which if I'm totally honest aren't totally waterproof,like others have said its not the overshoes's fault the problem is ingress from the top.I tend to wear either legwarmers or tights,which put over the top of the o/shoes but make sure my socks are well below the tops of the O/Shoes.This is OK for upto a hour of rain but then seeps in.
Neoprene O/S are too warm for me which in turn makes my feet sweat then the sweat goes cold resulting in cold wet feet,at least with the Eager O/S my feet are wet and to a degree warm.

All that said I think the answer is knee length Eager O/S as at least the rain has further to travel to the feet

If you wear waterproof overtrousers and these extend well past the top of the O/S, Eagers will keep the feet dry for a lot longer.

Kirst
Eager O/Shoes will fit over trainer type shoes.

Important note
Don't buy Eagers over the net,go to a shop that sells them and try them on with your cycling shoes to get a snug fit,I can't stress this enough.

[saudidave]

All I have ever used overshoes for is my 10 mile /40 minute commute. I have some planet X neoprene jobbies that were about £12.00 off ebay. They are a little difficult to stretch on but they work a treat. Cosy, dry (at least as long as I wear them for). Sorted.

[iandriver]

Please let us now when it arrives as you've virtually guaranteed it won't rain for the two months after