crazyravr

Cycling specific and go with over booties OR light gore-tex hikers with waterproof sox?
What do you use and why?

BobbyG

I have been inexpensive firm sole sneakers with toe clips for years. The shoes usually have synthetic uppers so they don't hold moisture (or breath). I wear regular cotton sox. In the winter I wear a heavier wool sock and loosen my shoe laces for better circulation. When it snows I wrap by socked feet with plastic grocery bags tucking the excess in my shoe, and under my long cycling pants.

And oh, yeah...long full fenders with a rear pad that skims the ground.

Not sexy or stylish, but simple and inexpensive and it works for me.

MMACH 5

I only bother with rain gear in the winter. I love riding in the summer rain, in my usual cycling clothes. I use my usual clipless shoes with waterproof socks, underneath. I have rain pants and a rain jacket that keeps the rest of me pretty dry. Once I get to the office, I spread out my wet shoes and clothes under my desk and turn on a space-heater to dry them out before I need to ride home.

pdlamb

Rain in the summer is also known as "free sweat."

When it gets chilly, I'll ride in medium-weight wool socks (the heavy ones won't fit in my shoes), and cut a plastic grocery bag lengthwise, cut off the handle loops, and wrap a half around each foot. Keeps most of the water off the socks, and blocks the wind that really cools off the feet.

Drying off the shoes is difficult. Take the insoles out, stuff the shoes with newspaper, pull the newspaper out after an hour, and lay everything out where there's good air circulation. In front of a refrigerator is a good place (if everybody is finished opening the fridge for the evening!).

CharlieFree

I use these ones all winter https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/produ.../SH-XM900.html

rumrunn6

water: I have cycling shoes that resist some rain. I have thin shoe covers for them, for riding in real rain, but I don't do that much

cold: my cycling shoes have room for chemical toe warmers. I have light hiking shoes that have room for a sock liner & a chemical hand warmer taped between the two pair of socks. when it's really cold, I ride with winter boots plus toe or hand warmers inside

this year, I'm experimenting with cleated pedals/shoes, so once we get past "chemical toe warmer weather" I'm either going back to my flat pedals & 1/2 clips, or buying new shoes!

crazyravr

So why not just use a proper gore-tex hiking shoes that will serve dual purpose? Is it because clipless pedals?

crazyravr

Truth be told I do have proper cycling shoes and clipless pedals with over boots. But I dont really want to put that onto my commuter... why? Because then I have to carry another pair of shoes (gym) and walking around sucks.

acidfast7

I use GORE-TEX Nordic Walking shoes by ADIDAS, which are quite good and are flexible for cycling.

Like this with colour and reflective strips:

Wiggle | adidas Terrex Swift R2 Mid GTX Shoes | Fast Hike

MMACH 5

I keep changes of clothes and street shoes at the office.

CharlieFree

Correct, for the clipless pedals. Before that I used platform pedals and wore a gore-tex trail running shoe. It worked pretty well as well. In each case I size up to accommodate thicker socks.

crazyravr

Office isnt the problem. I just dont want to carry another pair of shoes with me for walking around or the gym.

MMACH 5

Absolutely. The only time I carry extra shoes is when camping.

fietsbob

on a long riding all day bike tour I invested in shoe covers ..

Around Town I , got LL Bean rubber bottom shoes..

in Ontario , winter you might want the insulated version ..

and perhaps a street crampon for off the bike ice traction..

ExPatTyke

If it's raining or if rain is forecast for my commute I ride one of my two bikes with mudguards. Mudgaurds do make a big difference to the amount of water that ends up on your feet.
I wear a pair of neoprene overshoes - cheapies from Tenn, I get through two pairs in a winter - and this keeps my feet warm and dry in the worst of the English weather.

IvyGodivy

Waterproof socks? Are they made out of plastic or something?

MMACH 5

I've got a pair of their gloves, also.
https://www.sealskinzusa.com/socks

crazyravr

Fenders only work for light rain and better yet after the rain. When it rains, they dont really protect you from the rain, just the extra splash from the road.

MMACH 5

This is true, but when it is raining, I'd rather only have to battle it coming from one direction (and not the grime that comes up from the road). : )

Archwhorides 

I dislike having to dry out wet shoes and socks - it takes too long and IMO riding in damp gear sucks, therefore :

• Above 25F I wear cleated MTB shoes with water-proof covers as needed (on iffy days I keep the covers with my other rain gear in my second pannier).
• Below 25F I wear cleated Lake waterproof winter MTB boots.
• I always have street shoes and socks at my office

rumrunn6

uh oh, I think I've been triggered. just started to salivate ...

mcours2006

I don't do any special with summer rain. It's warm. No biggie. I might put on a pair of covers if it a cooler day, but in heavy down pour the water will seep down your leg and into the shoes anyway.

Winter or colder rain I have neoprene covers, and in winter I will wear insulated cycling boots.

Archwhorides 

It was nice of my lady to get me these as a birthday present, pretty bombproof even for hardscrabble urban commuting.

And I just noticed that this model is being dumped for $135 on several websites, which is a very good deal

SylvainG

For Summer, I use SPD sandals myself. Doesn't matter if my feet get wet but sandals dries faster than shoes. Like you, for colder wetter weather, I have fleeced neoprene covers. When it gets really cold (below 0C), I slide Hot Paws in my shoes as well as use the covers.

aggiegrads