Commuter Specific Clothing

[neptune]

It has rained virtually every day for the past four weeks. I am out on my bike every day whatever the weather, but April has been a worse month than January. I wear waterproof overtrousers , but one problem is wet feet . I wear waterproof overshoes and they do the job, but are a bit baggy. In common with most commuters I do not wear pedal clips or cleats . I tried motorcycle boots, but they are not flexible enough at the ankle . I tried hiking gaiters, but my trainers still get soggy.So what is needed is a boot that is like a light waterproof trainer at the bottom , and has a flexible upper like a gaiter, and no cleat on the bottom . Has anyone seen anything fitting this description please?

 

[mike killay]

I have tried using my sailing boots before now!
They are not waterproof, but made of neoprene and like a wet suit let in a small amount of water that gets warmed by your body. From then on they are wonderful and your feet comfortable....................I'll get my coat!

 

[smudger1956]

Looked at Derri Boots...?

 

[tillson]

I wear SaelSkinz socks. Dry warm feet in any weather.

 

[RegularGuy]

I wear waterproof trail shoes. A little heavier than trainers but lighter than boots and flexible. They have a gortex liner, can pick them up about £40 in TK max or £90 if you shop anywhere else!

 

[Cyclezee]

I wear waterproof trail shoes. A little heavier than trainers but lighter than boots and flexible. They have a gortex liner, can pick them up about £40 in TK max or £90 if you shop anywhere else!

Hi RegularGuy,

These sound interesting, do you know the brand or perhaps a have a link?

 

[gray198]

I use a pair of Karrimor K S B walking shoes. Waterproof and stiff enough sole for cycling. Picked them up for £35 at Sports Direct

 

[steveindenmark]

I wear cycle shoe covers from Evans cycles. They fit over my Shimano MTB boots and keep my shoes and socks dry. Problem solved.

Steve

 

[Mussels]

2nd the Sealskinz socks, it doesn't matter how wet my feet get. If it snows my feet can get cold but then I stick on neoprene over shoes and empty the snow out half way home.

 

[Cakey]

Keen alamos a waterproof trainer hiking shoe . Also most merrrels are goretex lined or event

 

[neptune]

It has ocurred to me that I am probably a member of a small minority using waterproof overtrousers. These are lightweight nylon and have negligible effect on pedalling. However, the water that would have wet your jeans is now channelled into your socks. So any waterproof footwear is useless unless it extends up the leg far enough to fit inside your waterproof trousers. I am using some light nylon overshoes that are light and flexible . They do the job, but as i said are a bit baggy. Being thin, you dare not walk far in them for fear of wearing a hole in the bottom. At a tenner, I should not really complain.

 

[steve.c]

Sainsburys carrier bags and elastic bags may not look trendy but they always worked in my Moutain biking days??. Steve

 

[Mussels]

It has ocurred to me that I am probably a member of a small minority using waterproof overtrousers. These are lightweight nylon and have negligible effect on pedalling. However, the water that would have wet your jeans is now channelled into your socks. So any waterproof footwear is useless unless it extends up the leg far enough to fit inside your waterproof trousers. I am using some light nylon overshoes that are light and flexible . They do the job, but as i said are a bit baggy. Being thin, you dare not walk far in them for fear of wearing a hole in the bottom. At a tenner, I should not really complain.

There are generally two types of cycle clothing, hard shell and soft shell. Soft shell is items designed to let water through and hard shell (including Goretex) does not let water through. If I wear hard shell and the temp is much above zero then I will sweat and get soaked from the inside. When I ride I dress to keep my body at the right temperature as trying to stay dry is for most people unrealistic, if I'm warm then I don't really care about getting wet.
That said I have found myself wearing hard shell recently as my mudguards need a bit if work, once the weather warms up a bit I won't bother.

 

[neptune]

I am a big believer in mudguards. I ride my normal bike just for leisure, and am not usually in a hurry, just pootling along at 10 or 12 MPH. I do not sweat much being a skinny type, so it is hard shell for me. I like the carrier bags idea, and I suppose my overshoes are just one step up from that. I probably need to invest in some elastic bands though, to eliminate the bagginess.