MTB Overshoes - Any recommendations?

[wobert]

After yet another run around Llandegla, I've finally tired of having soaking wet shoes by the time I've cleared the first red section.

I've already tried SealSkinz socks, and after today's run, emptied at least a cup full of water out of them when I got back to the car!

Friends have recommended the use of overshoes, so the question is: which ones*

• I do realise I won't have fully waterproof feet, but would prefer not having two swimming pools on the end of my legs.......!!

[Jimbo.]

wobert said:

After yet another run around Llandegla, I've finally tired of having soaking wet shoes by the time I've cleared the first red section.

I've already tried SealSkinz socks, and after today's run, emptied at least a cup full of water out of them when I got back to the car!

Friends have recommended the use of overshoes, so the question is: which ones*

• I do realise I won't have fully waterproof feet, but would prefer not having two swimming pools on the end of my legs.......!!

No overshoe is properly waterproof, purely because of the holes at the top (foot!) and bottom (cleats). Wet 'n' warm is the best approach (f'nar!): accept you'll get wet, so concentrate on keeping body warmth in and the wind out.

(For road use, admittedly) I've used Gore Windstopper overshoes: they'll keep some mud 'n' spray off, but being windproof, come the time water gets through, your feet will still be warm 'n' toasty.

After wearing out the Gores, I've recently moved to Shimano Tarmac H20s (the Ensure is the MTB equivalent, IIRC). Not had a chance to use them yet, but yet to read a bad review about them. Some sort of polymer (?) coated fabric, sealed seams, nice reinforcement at the toes. If you want more warmth and waterproofing, look for the NPU+ version, which is made of coated neoprene instead (warmer, sweater).

And under all that, DeFeet Woolie Boolie socks. Accept no substitutes.

[Ian_sUK]

I use endura mt500's. There's loads of bad reviews about the zips breaking but mine have been fine paying attention not to use the zip to pull them on.

They work well in most conditions but if your going through 6" deep puddles at speed then you'll still get soaked. Was going too try them teamed with some sealskinz socks.

[daddy cool]

Ian_sUK said:

I use endura mt500's.

Me too. However, I use them on the road bike rather than the MTB. likewise, my zips are still intact, though I do feel its a matter of time. Also note that the sizing is shocking - I had to get the XL size to fit on my size 46 (!!!) Shimano MO77 shoes, and even then its a struggle to get them on. And the rubber grooves on the side are wide - I had to take a Stanley knife to them to trim them down to get ride of the squeak on every rotation (and the marks that were appearing on the crank arms)
In terms of performance, yeah they take the edge off the coldest days (hovering around 0c) but its basically the same as wrapping your feet in wetsuit material. They wouldn't keep your feet dry if you stepped in a puddle.
To be honest, im on the lookout for some proper winter boots for next winter - Northwave for example - though the price is quite eyewatering...

[Gren]

Sounds like typical Endura sizing!

[Rob_T]

another here for the mt500. i've had these lying around for a couple of years. over the last few weeks when i've been out on the mtb i've come back soaked and muddied and my shoes have been in a real state and squelching with water. i twigged yesterday that i had the mt500. i put them on and i would say it kept my feet 90% dry which given the conditions yesterday was exceptional.

good point about sizing - i am size 45 and needed XL. I have torn the back of mine slightly through overly aggressive putting on and removal. there is an art to gently stretching then over the heel once you have gently stretched and pulled the overshoe over the rest of your shoe.

[Trtj]

wobert said:

After yet another run around Llandegla, I've finally tired of having soaking wet shoes by the time I've cleared the first red section.

I've already tried SealSkinz socks, and after today's run, emptied at least a cup full of water out of them when I got back to the car!

Friends have recommended the use of overshoes, so the question is: which ones*

• I do realise I won't have fully waterproof feet, but would prefer not having two swimming pools on the end of my legs.......!!

Your seal skinz, are you sure theyre the waterproof ones? Some of their socks aren't classed as waterproof surprisingly. I tested mine out in the bath, 100% dry. The moisture is probably being wicked by the sock further up your leg. Also, the tumble dryer kills seal skinz.

[wobert]

My SealSkinz are the waterproof variety, I put the water ingress down to the water in the lake (read puddle) seeping down my legs into the socks. Unfortunately since there is a large hole at the top, this cannot be avoided!

[TedMaul]

I use sealskinz socks and some very old Shimano overshoes, they say "Blaze" on them.Has worked well up to yesterday in Sherwood Pines, which was truly shocking conditions.. simply awesome fun... until my chain got well and truly jammed in teh spokes and prompted a long cold walk home. Overshoes do not cope having to wade through very deep water and my waterproof endura trousers made no odds, nor did my jacket really.

The rain and hail was torrential though, in normal riding conditions, skins and overshoes are fine for me

[dome]

I've got the top end Shimano ones and they're OK. They delay your feet getting wet and keep them warmer for longer. I need to try some decent socks as it's only my feet that bother me with the cold on longer rides