Stopping water getting into winter boots?

[boydj]

Overtrousers outside the boots.

 

[wonderloaf]

I guess you've got your tights over the over the boots/overshoes, so the water runs off the bottom of the tights and not into your boots?
Not very roadie but might be an improvement. Just have to deal with any overspray going up the inside of the tights! Urrghh!

 

[wonderloaf]

Overtrousers outside the boots.

Damn, you beat me to it by about a nanosecond!

 

[PaulSB]

I've had some success with cutting the cuffs off marigold style gloves (you can get them in black), use the cuff as a seal between leg and boot.

I've heard others have used ankle cuffs from wetsuit suppliers, not tried that one.

Beat me to it. Myself and two friends use this and it works well. Getting the correct size is trial and error. I'm currently using the XL from B&Q in black.

Blocking the holes were the cleats fit and feet wrapped in plastic bags also helps.

 

[mynydd]

Yes, tights outside boots. Though they're cheap not waterproof ones (happy for my legs to be wet, but warm.... it's my feet that suffer.)
Will get some black rubber gloves from b&q and give it a go.
Thanks all

 

[simongt]

Um, the head sticks out of a dry suit right? And the hands?..... why should feet be different?

As a former kayaker, keeping dry on those occasions that one capsizes, a drysuit is just the job. Close fitting latex rings around neck, wrist & ankle 'holes' ensures a dry drysuit. The rings are tight enough to keep water out, but not enough to shut off bloodflow. You could have similar rings around the ankle of a cycling boot, but as has been pointed out, the small detail of a sock sticking out of the top will encourage water to seep past the ring. Kayakers don't wear socks - !

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Just in case the inside of the shoes get wet again, save yourself the 3 day drying time by packing them hard with lots of balled up newspaper. An hour or two later, remove it and re pack with fresh dry stuff. By morning your shoes will be dry inside.

 

[steveindenmark]

Drysuits have integrated feet, so are not really comparable. Just accept that if it rains, then the important thing is to stay warm - not dry.

So maybe someone should make winter bibs with integrated neoprene boot covers.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Have a look at the Pearl Izumi Elite Amfib Bib Tights, waterproof and with design that allows you to roll the tights over boots whilst still having close-fitting stirrup due to 2-piece construction near the bottom of the tights.

 

[I like Skol]

Mud guards
Over shoes
Over trousers

I have Shimano gortex lined shoes (MT71) and these are great until they fill up and then they stay full. The trick is to avoid getting them full if it bothers you. Over trousers with neoprene over shoes in combination with the MT71s have proven to be impenetrable in the worst conditions.

 

[Trickedem]

Tight rubber next to your skin = great for diving - not so good for cycling. You are over-thinking a problem which nobody has.

I suspect from this statement that you haven't ridden for several hours in the pouring rain. This is a real problem and not easily solved.

 

[Ajax Bay]

rain can easily trickle in from the ankle area. . . . They are still drying out in the radiator, three days later....
. . . have you got a solution?

My solution to the OP is:
Waterproof socks (eg Sealskins - which by the way size correctly - don't get them one size too small like most socks - they scarcely stretch at all)
Bioskin calf sleeves - retained from a period of soleus pulls and physio treatment - rough quote:
"The Bio Skin material ensures the sleeve won’t slide down the leg, no matter how vigorous your activity, and, to maintain comfort, Bio Skin’s material is thin and breathable allowing perspiration to evaporate keeping you cool and protected."
These are worn over the socks and ensure nothing dribbles down into the socks.
Bib-tights (no stirrups: stirrups mess with my insoles/sole)
Winter boots (mine have neoprene cuffs which can be got reasonably tight with velcro fastening)
Drying boots: Insoles out, scrunched up newspaper, renewed as often as reasonable.
IMO (@mynydd post) if tights are a good fit just above the ankle (as designed) then you will stretch them massively/destructively if you try and get them outside winter boots.

 

[S-Express]

I suspect from this statement that you haven't ridden for several hours in the pouring rain. This is a real problem and not easily solved.

I've ridden hundreds of training/racing hours over many years in heavy rain. What's your point?

 

[slowmotion]

The only thing I can think of is duct tape.......

I saw a guy coming out of a construction site riding a BSO. He had duct taped Lidl carrier bags to his ankles to keep his shoes dry. He had hairy legs which would have made removal of the tape a bit painful.

 

[MichaelW2]

Why o why can you not get lightweight trail boots with a water resistant but non suportive built in gaiter. Just a high upper made of proofed, unpadded nylon would keep out mud and drain water from waterproof trousers over not inside the boot.
No ned to faff around with over booties, under socks, separate gaiters, just an ultralight high cut boot.