cplager

Hi,

I'm looking for waterproof winter clipless shoes (2 bolt SPD). I have Giro’s Alpineduro and they leak horribly where the cleats attach when I walk in the rain.

Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Charles

CliffordK

What type of cleats? 2 bolt? Or 3 bolt?

I like the Shimano MW series mid top boots. 2 bolt SPD. Currently MW-81. Neoprene upper. Not waterproof, but is comfortable even when wet.

cplager

2 bold SPD (edited original to add).

My current shoes are water-resistant enough on the top, but the bottoms just leak horribly.

mcours2006

Do you mean when you walk on them or when you're riding. I can't remember a situation when I had more water coming from underneath than from top or the sides. In any case, there must be something you can do to seal whatever hole there is on the bottom of the shoe.

My own cheap Shimano MTB shoes with covers takes care of most situations when it's wet, and I do ride year round.

Jim from Boston

I have in the past posted about these Goretex shoe covers with a description about bundling up in the cold. They have no soles, but only a couple of bands at the bottom that easily admit clipless cleats. In more temperate, but rainy weather when wearing clipless, I put the plastic bags inside my cycling shoes, and the Goretex covers outside my shoes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

This past Monday (12/30/13) I did my 14 mile commute at about 15°F and tried a new set o ffoot coverings that IMO that kept my feet significantly warmer than usual. In the past I had bought a pair of neon green shoe covers made by Gore-Tex, for wet riding.

During the winter, I use platform pedals with toeclips, and my usual footwear is thin and thick socks, running shoes and Totes rubber overshoes. I use plastic bags over my running shoes to put on the Totes mor eeasily (see the sequence below)….

cplager

It's when I'm walking in my shoes that they get wet (I ride to the train station and walk at the other end).

I was trying to avoid puddles, but my feet were completely soaked.

mcours2006

Is the water coming in through the bolt holes? Because the cleats/holes on my shoes are recessed into the sole, and unless it's a really big/deep puddle it's not an issue.

Jim from Boston

Because I have panniers on my (clipless) beater or a back pack for my carbon fiber bike, I carry an extra pair of shoes if I need to ride a short distance (few blocks) or walk, because it's a pain to clip in and out, and the bike shoes tend to slip off the pedals If not clipped in.

1nterceptor

Been using Lake MXZ-302 for a few years now; with SPD pedals.
I like them in the rain and cold temps.
DSCN0337 by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

Ghazmh

I have a pair of waterproof Specialized Defroster shoes. They are water resistant at best. I need rain covers to achieve the water proof claim. Even then they are just a bit more water resistant

mcours2006

Hmm. I have the road version of that shoe and I thought they were decent enough for the winter. For me they are for warmth more than the water proofing. I've ridden in them under pretty wet conditions a few weeks ago and they held up well. Granted it was only for about an hour.

79pmooney

I have 45 North Fasterkatt boots and have submerged then to the tops of regular shoes with no leakage.

If you otherwise like your boots, I'd try sealing the bolt holes with silicon sealer; the stuff used for sealing bathroom appliances. I'd go with the not so permanent clear stuff.

Ben

cplager

It doesn't look like they sell anymore.

I am going to try your suggestion of using silicone.


Mine are, too. And I'm trying not to walk in puddles. But yet the bottoms of my socks are completely soaked.

Ghazmh

Cool, mine are the 2 hole versions, I picked them up in 2015 and have worn them through everything from -10*, light rain, torrential driving rain, and snow. I feel comfortable with them as is with thick wool socks down to 32*. Below that I slip insulated covers over them. In light rain after 20 minutes I feel water seeping in from above. Somewhere the cover goes over the tongue. I'm gonna keep wearing them until I can't.

mcours2006

The problem with any sort of waterproofing footwear isn't the footwear itself but what's worn on the legs. If you are wearing tights then as soon as they get wet the water seeps down. For full water proofing you need some kind waterproof pants that go over your waterproof footwear.

79pmooney

+1 One of my great scores is "cycling gators". Sadly I had to invent and make them. Made from stretch windblock fabric. Looking like:

(I made a nice picture using text but the spaces disappeared, turning my work to garbage. Oh well. If you want the pattern, PM me.)

The velcro goes in back. These do a great job of keeping my ankles a bunch warmer and cold air and water out of my boots.

Ben

fixedweasel

I've been running winter Lakes for years in the wet here with great success and warmth.

a1penguin

I have Shimano MW7 which are GoreTex and claim to be waterproof. I don't ride in the rain and there is no real winter in the SF area. But the design make them look like they would do a good job of keeping water out. And adding a layer of waterproof gators might make then waterproof in Northwest rains. They are great cold weather shoes. My feet start complaining about the cold below 55F.

noglider 

@79pmooney, if you use an evenly-spaced font, your spaces might not go away.