Recommend waterproof overshoes?

oceanclub

First bad rain of my new longer bike commute and currently my socks and shoes are drying next to my PC wringing wet. Can any recommend good waterproof overshoes? Most seems to be made of neoprene which is at best water-resistant I thought? The Endura Dexter are polyester/elastane which is hopefully better? http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/endura-dexter-overshoe/rp-prod59928

P.

Beasty

Even if waterproof you can expect leakage from above and via the cleat hole. Although the ability to minimise seepage is helpful, you will have to face up to wet socks and shoes on some occasions regardless. Yes they help keep out the rain, but it's as much about keeping the feet warm with overshoes

Hmmzis

In my experience no overshoes will keep your feet dry in persistent rain for a prolonged period of time. As beasty said, the water will evetually get in through the cleat holes from below and from above it will seep through the cuff. Duck tape over the cleat plate from the inside of the shoe can help with this as will putting your leg warmers/tights over the overshoe instead of inside it. But eventually the water will find a way in.

seany15

Beasty wrote: »

Even if waterproof you can expect leakage from above and via the cleat hole. Although the ability to minimise seepage is helpful, you will have to face up to wet socks and shoes on some occasions regardless. Yes they help keep out the rain, but it's as much about keeping the feet warm with overshoes

This. I've found the only true way to keep feet dry and warm is actually two pairs of overshoes, one neoprene and over that a pair of endura semi waterproof ones, regularly treated with waterproofing spray. Still let in a bit of water though....

Lumen

Newspaper and multiple pairs of shoes.

I'm using winter road boots with no holes or ventilation and while they're great at stopping wet from the road they fill up like buckets when it rains properly.

Alek

Waterproof or neoprene socks should make it bearable enough.

Beasty

I'm still awaiting the clingfilm suggestions ...;)

Carpenter

Beasty wrote: »

I'm still awaiting the clingfilm suggestions ...;)

I like that

07Lapierre

Carry a spare pair of (dry) socks on your commute?

on_the_nickel

These any good to you?

Lumen

Beasty wrote: »

I'm still awaiting the clingfilm suggestions ...;)

Unfortunately the original "captain havoc clingfilm" image has been removed from whichever place it was hosted online, so we only have our sweet memories to rely on.

GreeBo

Something like below should help to keep it out of the ankle

assuming the res of the show is waterproof.

Alek

Beasty wrote: »

I'm still awaiting the clingfilm suggestions ...;)

Tried plastic bags once, my feet were wet before I even left home :rolleyes:

Rambling Man

Alek wrote: »

Tried plastic bags once, my feet were wet before I even left home :rolleyes:

Alek

Actually I've tried them inside the shoe

GreeBo

unless you stop it entering at the cuff its pointless.
The human leg is perfectly designed to funnel water into the sock/shoe.

Lumen

GreeBo wrote: »

unless you stop it entering at the cuff its pointless.
The human leg is perfectly designed to funnel water into the sock/shoe.

This is the problem gaitors were invented to solve. I have never tried wearing gaitors while cycling for fear of being ostracised.

I have tried duct tape though, oddly (and unjustifiably) without the same fear. The only problem was that it ripped a hole in my tights when I removed it.

stecleary

I use northwave H20 and they are the best I've come across. Never gonna keep you completely dry but much better than any neoprene ones I've tried

oceanclub

Ta all. I was in a shop dropping bike off for service anyway and saw Endura Road Overshoes for what seemed like a decent price. I am hoping they stand up to their 10/10 Cycling Weekly rating "'Tight-fitting, stylish, water repellent and extremely warm; what more do you want from an overshoe?"
P>

the world wonders

These did well for me today:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-extreme-weather-neoprene-overshoe/?sku=5360483833

BrianHenryIE

I got Endura Luminite Overshoes last year and eventually they frayed and water would get in regularly. This year I ordered Oneten Flow Waterproof Overshoes but I haven't gotten to try them out yet (bike was in the shop today). In both cases I ordered XL and it's been a tight enough fit on size 10.5 shoes. I use this velcro reflector to hold my waterproof trousers over the top of the overshoes.

bcmf

Lumen wrote: »

Unfortunately the original "captain havoc clingfilm" image has been removed from whichever place it was hosted online, so we only have our sweet memories to rely on.

That image and is hairy legs will never leave me. Despite all the medication - its still embedded in my memory bank.

Alek

Waterproof socks (with a membrane) are funny. They feel wet when wet, but your feet are dry. Weird.

Beer Assistant

Did 45kms today in the rain with Polaris Neoprene overshoes feet were soaked through

GreeBo

Gretts_40oz wrote: »

Did 45kms today in the rain with Polaris Neoprene overshoes feet were soaked through

Neoprene isn't designed to be waterproof though, it's too keep you warm when wet.

I'd guess you could treat them so the water beads off.

tuxy

Does anyone have recomendations for waterproof shoe covers?
Most of the ones in the online shops have mixed reviews

Beasty

tuxy wrote: »

Does anyone have recomendations for waterproof shoe covers?
Most of the ones in the online shops have mixed reviews

As it's less than 3 days since we had a similar thread I've merged this post into it

Ole Rodrigo

Mixed reviews I think come from different expectations.

I'll take warm wet feet over cold dry ones any day. Good quality neoprene will offer warmth first, and then incrementally better water resistance as the price goes up.

tuxy

Beasty wrote: »

As it's less than 3 days since we had a similar thread I've merged this post into it

Sorry, good info in this thread. Thanks.

Unknown Soldier

I bought a pair of those Fishermans socks in Aldi recently. They are kind of weird tbh.

I have a hunch I'll be able to report back at some stage this week

tritium

Got BBB water flex s recently. Only had one use last week for about 40 mins of cycling when it was chucking down. Very impressed with them, the shoes did a great job. Having rainproofs helped since the rain couldn't run down and into the boot.

Cee-Jay-Cee

tritium wrote: »

Got BBB water flex s recently. Only had one use last week for about 40 mins of cycling when it was chucking down. Very impressed with them, the shoes did a great job. Having rainproofs helped since the rain couldn't run down and into the boot.

I have these also and was out for 90 minutes during august in the pouring rain and my feet stayed bone dry. I also have BBB heavy duty overshoes which are not waterproof but are exceptionally warm in cold weather.

Kinet1c

Another BBB waterflex owner, only had to use them once since getting them a few weeks ago but was impressed with how dry my feet were considering the downpour I was subjected to.

Alanstrainor

Have ordered a pair of BBB waterflex (that I hope will fit!), but my concern is like most here. Having the water run down my leg and into the shoe. Still wearing shorts, and probably will continue to do so for a long while yet.

Alfreado

Unfortunately like people have already said, there's really no such thing as waterproof overshoes, despite what manufacturers say. Ive had castelli ones for all last winter and found them great.

Link - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ie/en/castelli-nano-waterproof-overshoes-aw14/rp-prod81612

It's also worth duct taping the cleat holes under the liner, really slows the leaking process!

slap/dash

I've used oversocks which are ok for commuting an hour each way if a tad crap if you have cold wet gear for the ride home. Still, an hour is nothing.

I'd like something that could keep warm without dying with sweat for 3+ hour rides between c5-10c. Mtb spd large size shoes. I don't mind up to maybe 50 or so. So many conflicting reviews out thurr. Craft? Dhb?

Wishbone Ash

I use Endura MT500. They're designed for MTB but work well with SPD SL's. Very warm, strong and durable and keep most of the water out (I don't have front mud guards on any of my bikes). They're the best I've found yet.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/endura-mt500-mtb-overshoe/rp-prod17096

slap/dash

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I use Endura MT500. They're designed for MTB but work well with SPD SL's. Very warm, strong and durable and keep most of the water out (I don't have front mud guards on any of my bikes). They're the best I've found yet.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/endura-mt500-mtb-overshoe/rp-prod17096

Thanks! I just ordered the bbb race proof on sale. We'll see

Kinet1c

Kinet1c wrote: »

Another BBB waterflex owner, only had to use them once since getting them a few weeks ago but was impressed with how dry my feet were considering the downpour I was subjected to.

These bit the dust after about 3.5 months. I reckon it's down to me having SPD as opposed to SL/Look cleats, threading on the underneath getting worn out due to feet down etc.

Picked up a pair of Northwave H20 Overshoes to replace them. Those few days without a pair of overshoes really made my feet hate the commute.

Not sure if I should be treating these as disposable items and expect to replace them every winter but would like to get through 1 winter with them.

Pinch Flat

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gore-bike-wear/city-overshoes-ec024457

I use these and a pair of goretex leggings. With mudguards on my commuter it's about as dry as you can get.

vonievega

A thick layer of vaseline on a plastic bag secured with duck tape.

Kinet1c

Pinch Flat wrote: »

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gore-bike-wear/city-overshoes-ec024457

I use these and a pair of goretex leggings. With mudguards on my commuter it's about as dry as you can get.

I definitely noticed a huge difference when I added a set of raceblades.

pprendeville

Kinet1c wrote: »

I definitely noticed a huge difference when I added a set of raceblades.

Not the easiest to install and need to be sure of clearance (especially if you have an aero frame) but definitely make a huge difference when you don't have as much spray going on your feet.

Pinch Flat

pprendeville wrote: »

Not the easiest to install and need to be sure of clearance (especially if you have an aero frame) but definitely make a huge difference when you don't have as much spray going on your feet.

Yeah they will take a lot of the spray off you.

Just make sure you don't make the same mistake as I did - make sure there's a decent buffer between the underside of the clip and the frame or it'll scratch your frame. They supply strips that are ok - I cut up rubber strips from an old tubs that dos the job.

G1032

I got a tip back in September (sometime around then anyway) on how to keep very dry

Tape under the insole to cover the air hole. Then fill the airhole with silicon. You'll get a cheap tube of it for 3 or 4 euro. No need for Tec 7 or anything expensive. That, along with neoprene shoe covers, have kept my very dry all winter

I'll put a photo of bottom of shoe up later.

Pinch Flat

G1032 wrote: »

I got a tip back in September (sometime around then anyway) on how to keep very dry

Tape under the insole to cover the air hole. Then fill the airhole with silicon. You'll get a cheap tube of it for 3 or 4 euro. No need for Tec 7 or anything expensive. That, along with neoprene shoe covers, have kept my very dry all winter

I'll put a photo of bottom of shoe up later.

Ive seen someone on here recommending melted wax - suppose anything that seals the holes and you can get out handy

Cee-Jay-Cee

G1032 wrote: »

I got a tip back in September (sometime around then anyway) on how to keep very dry

Tape under the insole to cover the air hole. Then fill the airhole with silicon. You'll get a cheap tube of it for 3 or 4 euro. No need for Tec 7 or anything expensive. That, along with neoprene shoe covers, have kept my very dry all winter

I'll put a photo of bottom of shoe up later.

Theres no need for silicon, duct tape over the hole a few times and if need be put some tape over the hole on the inside of the shoe also, easy to remove and hasnt failed me in three winters.