overshoes - do they work ?

[Brian Nolan]

after Sundays 6 hour soaking and the upcoming Etape du Dales I was wondering if overshoes do any good ?
I have a heavy duty pair for commuting ( getting extremely tatty now )that I wear in the winter/autumn etc that do keep the cold out and seem to keep most of the rain out. However - never used them in a 6 - 8 hr downpour and wondered how effective they are ? most people on Sundays Dartmoor ride seemed to be using them and , if they can stop my feet going numb I would rush out and buy a pair ..
any thoughts ?

cheers,

[Jon H]

Yes, they work to a degree. Although on a long wet ride your feet will get wet anyway from water running down your legs and into your shoes, but with overshoes it will be more of a warm and soggy feeling than cold and numb. A plastic bag between your socks and shoes will do the same job.

[Brian Nolan]

thanks John,

might try the plazzy bag trick if it gets the same end result as overshoes.
The wetness is ok as after a certain point u cannot get any wetter but the numbness gets to me so I will try this out... Conor - get your freezer bags ready for Sunday mate,

cheers,

[Stu Merckx Man]

if you get the teflon overshoe they act like a wet suit. once your feet are water logged the over shoe keeps the heat it, so you have nice warm wet feet.

[Brian Nolan]

thanks Stu . . might just try the bag trick and spend the overshoe dough on meals and red wine ( well a glass or two ).
cheers,

[Chris K]

Brian,
Have you tried sealskin socks as well as over shoes, I use them and find them fairly effective all though never kept 100% dry. If the rains not getting through your shoes its rolling down your legs and soaking the socks from above. Its difficult to get a good seal around your leg without stopping the circulation.

I think I paid about £20 for mine, might be worth ago.

[David Lombari]

Agree with Chris. I have an older pair of Sealskins that sweat a lot so still get a bit damp inside, but the latest ones have a Coolmax insert, so should be better.

Course, the best way of keeping your feet warm and dry on a cold rainy day is to STAY IN BED!!.....but that's no fun, is it?

[Brian Nolan]

thanks for the tips Chris & Dave, i might nip into GB's on the way home for a pair of sealskins with new overshoes cos they sound like they fit the bill .. thanks,