Shoe covers for rain

[Jason B]

Anyone have a suggestion for shoe covers for rain? I wear clipless. Cheaper the better, but not plastic bags.
Thanks

[jrenaut]

You talking about just to keep out the water, or are you looking for warmth, too? I think there’s a discussion of covers for cold weather somewhere.

[hozn]

I have a set of Gore (Gore-Tex) shoe covers that keep out the rain reasonably well (water may still come in from the bottom, depending in shoes, etc.). They aren’t as warm as my PI covers, but are likely too warm for anything above 50-55F. But then, I only worry about keeping my feet dry if it is below 50F, so that works fine.

[fuzzy]

I got caught out in the rain yesterday, why is it that only my right shoe got drenched? Even when I rode thru puddles, it was only my right shoe that kept getting the worst of it, seems like its because of the crank.

[Jason B]

@fuzzy 64861 wrote:

I got caught out in the rain yesterday, why is it that only my right shoe got drenched? Even when I rode thru puddles, it was only my right shoe that kept getting the worst of it, seems like its because of the crank.

Too many hard left turns.

I’m looking for a pair that will keep the rain out that I can have stuffed in my commuter stuff. I have warm booties, just want dry ones. Ill look into the gore ones, but if there is a cheaper possibility, I’d appreciate it.

[hozn]

I am sure there any cheaper options than Gore that will keep water out. I have come to buy more expensive rain gear, since it does seem to make a tangible difference in terms of breathability; it is just as bad being soaked-through from sweat. That may be less of a concern for shoe covers; probably also depends how long the trips are, etc.

[mstone]

Unless it’s cold enough to be a safety issue, I feel that the discomfort of the rain gear is going to equal or exceed the discomfort of the rain.

[Greenbelt]

I have a pair of Endura partly insulated shoe covers. Swear by them. They keep my feet warm down to below freezing, and they keep shoes dry in light or moderate rain. Heavy rain or continuous puddles, feet will get soaked regardless though.

[Jason B]

@hozn 64863 wrote:

That may be less of a concern for shoe covers; probably also depends how long the trips are, etc.

That is what I am hoping. I paid a little more for the jacket and pants, so I was hoping to cheaper on the shoes. Despite a good price, showers pass don’t accommodate clipless.
Thanks again I’ll look into the enduro and the gore.

[Dirt]

I’ve used Gore, Mavic, Showers Pass and Assos. Gore and Showers Pass were decorative at best. They did okay in a short storm, but didn’t protect in any kind of serious rain.

Mavic shoe covers are AWESOME! Mine lasted almost 2 years before I wore them out. I sized them so they were very tight and I had to stretch them over my shoes. That is partly why they only lasted as long as they did. I probably stretched them too much. They didn’t breathe as well as shoes without covers, but my feet never got cold.

Assos shoe covers are more awesomer than the Mavic ones. Worth every penny to me. I’ve done 5 or 6 all-day rides in the rain and my feet were comfy all day.

Hugs and kisses,

Dirt.

[hozn]

Huh, I definitely have had good experiences with my Gore covers in rain. Don’t remember the model, maybe there are differences. On serious downpours my socks would still end up damp, but I always attributed that to water coming in from the bottom. In general i dont expect waterproof cycling gear to ever keep me completely dry. The Gore covers are also very strong/durable (but also less stretchy or warm than the neoprene ones I have tried). I would love to find a waterproof set that was warmer than Gore and more durable than PI.

[Dirt]

@hozn 64876 wrote:

Huh, I definitely have had good experiences with my Gore covers in rain. Don’t remember the model, maybe there are differences. On serious downpours my socks would still end up damp, but I always attributed that to water coming in from the bottom. In general i dont expect waterproof cycling gear to ever keep me completely dry. The Gore covers are also very strong/durable (but also less stretchy or warm than the neoprene ones I have tried). I would love to find a waterproof set that was warmer than Gore and more durable than PI.

Cool to hear!!!! Perhaps the GORE covers that I got were a dud set. Mine were great for the first 30 minutes, but then switched from keeping water out to collecting and holding water in. I used them twice, then tossed them. Sounds like you have used yours with great success and over a much longer period than I did with mine, so your info is of much more value in regards to the Gore stuff.

Rock on!!!

[Jason B]

Thanks for the advice. The Mavics look like what I was looking for and a good price to boot!
The Assos, although obviously great, might force me to wear my latex long coat and change my name to Neo. Besides, Assos has yet to make a ‘double wide’ size for me.
Thanks again

[vvill]

I have two sets of the Mavics (in different sizes – for different shoes). They work well enough (aka mostly dry) although I don’t think they’ll be terribly durable based on the wear they’ve experienced so far.

[Adam J.]

Pretty late to this, but was thinking about it today (guess why!)

I’ve never had great luck with any booties past an hour. (FWIW, the Castelli Diluvio gloves have been 100% water proof for me, so maybe the Diluvio shoe covers would be good, though likely pricey). Water comes up through the bottom or drips down from your calf. Once the sock is wet it seems to wick all the way down until your Smartwools are sponges.

DIY solutions have been best for me. Duct tape the inside of your shoe! Under the insole and then block any mesh panels in the upper. If you’ve got them, make sure your water proof pants are going OVER the ankles of the booties too.

What has made the biggest difference for me is an extra long front fender. Cut an old bottle in half, drill a hole through it and your fender and zip tie it on so that it hangs to to within 2 or 3 inches of the ground. Leave the zip tie a “touch” loose. If it swings it’ll miss spray, if it’s rigid any toe bump will knock it out of alignment. Blocking road spray seems to be a big chunk of the battle.

[Author]

Posts