How should I keep my feet dry?
Discussion
I recently got some Northwave Celsius Goretex boots to use on my commute. Tonight was the first time I've ridden in the rain since I got them. It pissed it down solidly for the full 15 miles home, and by the time I got here, my feet were soaked!
The problem was the fact that I need to wear socks protruding above where the neoprene wraps round, or it scratches and is generally uncomfortable, so water coming up off the road just soaks into the socks and then gets pulled inside the boots. The front half of my feet were still dry, which is a huge improvement over anything I'd had before!
I could wear waterproof trousers that come down over my ankles, I suppose, but I don't really like cycling in long trousers, even if it's pissing it down like it was tonight, so does anyone have any suggestions for some way I can prevent the water getting to my socks and thus into my boots when I'm wearing shorts?
The problem was the fact that I need to wear socks protruding above where the neoprene wraps round, or it scratches and is generally uncomfortable, so water coming up off the road just soaks into the socks and then gets pulled inside the boots. The front half of my feet were still dry, which is a huge improvement over anything I'd had before!
I could wear waterproof trousers that come down over my ankles, I suppose, but I don't really like cycling in long trousers, even if it's pissing it down like it was tonight, so does anyone have any suggestions for some way I can prevent the water getting to my socks and thus into my boots when I'm wearing shorts?
Kermit power said:
S10 GTA said:
Magic things call mud guards.
They work a treat along with my winter boots.
Sadly I haven't got enough clearance between tyres and frame to fit them, although I'm not sure they would've made all that much difference tonight!They work a treat along with my winter boots.
S10 GTA said:
Really? Race blades fit on most bikes, although somedays you just have to deal with it. Today was one of those days.
I'm running 28c tyres on a frame that wasn't really made for them to avoid pothole punctures, but I'll take a look though. I also don't have any mounting points. Is that an issue?I'm wondering if neoprene elbow supports might fit over the top of the boots & bottom of my calves.
S10 GTA said:
Race blades don't need mounting points, they just attach to the frame by elastic bands. They ain't ideal, but do make a difference.
This. They fit on almost anything and do a good job of stopping a lot of spray.The other thing is - its raining, you are on a bike, you are going to get wet - accepting this will save you a fortune in "waterproof" kit - better to get soaked on the bike and have a change of clothes at work/home IMO. Saying that though, mudguards do make a huge difference - you will probably still get wet, but not having spray chucked into your face is nice...
First off as previously mentioned mudguards, mudguards, mudguards. I've tried fitting Crud racers twice (Mk 1 + 2) and clearance on rear brake always an issue. SKS Race blades fit and work. Won't keep feet dry though, but almost every thing else.
Feet wise, I've got the Shimano RW80's. Super warm and kinda waterproof. Best way to stay dry is waterproof trousers over waterproof overshoes.
I've got the nightvision trousers (ok-ish) and Gore overshoes (didn't pay £55 though) http://www.gorebikewear.co.uk/remote/Satellite/PRO...
Come home with warm dry feet.
Feet wise, I've got the Shimano RW80's. Super warm and kinda waterproof. Best way to stay dry is waterproof trousers over waterproof overshoes.
I've got the nightvision trousers (ok-ish) and Gore overshoes (didn't pay £55 though) http://www.gorebikewear.co.uk/remote/Satellite/PRO...
Come home with warm dry feet.
Edited by jodypress on Friday 2nd December 08:43
I have race blades on my bike - they are secured with zip ties although I did have to reshape the front bracket a touch as the angle of my forks was too severe. I had tried to fit road racers in the past but the clearance was too tight. The blades worked great last night - I only had wet ankles where the rain drained off my tights and onto my socks.
Parsnip said:
The other thing is - its raining, you are on a bike, you are going to get wet - accepting this will save you a fortune in "waterproof" kit - better to get soaked on the bike and have a change of clothes at work/home IMO. Saying that though, mudguards do make a huge difference - you will probably still get wet, but not having spray chucked into your face is nice...
It's only the feet I'm worried about. Everything else has time to dry whilst I'm in the office, but the shoes don't.I've just been looking at Race Blades on Wiggle, and I don't think they're an option. 
They have one set for tyres up to 700 x 23 and an XL set for touring bikes with larger frames. My problem is I have a race frame with 700 x 28's squeezed in. There's no rubbing, but there's also no spare clearance.
Looks like I might have to go with long trousers.
They have one set for tyres up to 700 x 23 and an XL set for touring bikes with larger frames. My problem is I have a race frame with 700 x 28's squeezed in. There's no rubbing, but there's also no spare clearance.
Looks like I might have to go with long trousers.
Kermit power said:
I've just been looking at Race Blades on Wiggle, and I don't think they're an option.
They have one set for tyres up to 700 x 23 and an XL set for touring bikes with larger frames. My problem is I have a race frame with 700 x 28's squeezed in. There's no rubbing, but there's also no spare clearance.
Looks like I might have to go with long trousers.
They will easily fit 700x28's. SKS have different types of mudguards (with same style of fitting) see pics:They have one set for tyres up to 700 x 23 and an XL set for touring bikes with larger frames. My problem is I have a race frame with 700 x 28's squeezed in. There's no rubbing, but there's also no spare clearance.
Looks like I might have to go with long trousers.
These mudguards are designed to fit tyres 23-32mm
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sks-race-blade-xl-clip-on-...
teddye46 said:
The main reason for getting the Goretex boots was because overshoes aren't up to the job!They're probably OK if you only use them occasionally and don't have to constantly stop and start, but I wore through the bottoms of the ones I got (which weren't cheap) in about 2 months. I'm commuting 15 miles each way, 3 days per week, and have over 80 sets of traffic lights between home and work.
Kermit power said:
teddye46 said:
The main reason for getting the Goretex boots was because overshoes aren't up to the job!They're probably OK if you only use them occasionally and don't have to constantly stop and start, but I wore through the bottoms of the ones I got (which weren't cheap) in about 2 months. I'm commuting 15 miles each way, 3 days per week, and have over 80 sets of traffic lights between home and work.
Out of curiosity, do you wear overshoes which cover the entire sole, or do you have cleats? I can't see how these would experience much wear?
Alternatively, try this
I've heard of folk using duct tape (as mentioned earlier).
I'm on the search for some sort of rubber cuff that I could fit around my leg/top of the boot, to stop water running down my legs and into the shoe/sock. Waterproof socks don't help here as the cuff is never tight enough IME. I've heard that the cuff on rubber gloves - think of kitchen marigolds - can be ideal but obviously depends if you're pigeon-legged or not...
I'm on the search for some sort of rubber cuff that I could fit around my leg/top of the boot, to stop water running down my legs and into the shoe/sock. Waterproof socks don't help here as the cuff is never tight enough IME. I've heard that the cuff on rubber gloves - think of kitchen marigolds - can be ideal but obviously depends if you're pigeon-legged or not...
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff