Wet bike shoes

[katiewlx]

Problem is most homes don't even get the free newspapers. Not had one for over 10 years.

Dehumidifier or a fan to dry them quickly.

I believe shops still sell them though, nobody said these solutions had to be free

I always stick mine in the airing cupboard, though I realise more modern houses dont quite heat a cupboard in the house for no particular reason anymore.

but do it straight away you get home, dont let them stay damp overnight.

 

[PaulSB]

Stuff with newspapers and allow to dry naturally, using heat, eg placing on a radiator, will only encourage the bacteria which create the odour.

One odour solution when the shoes are dry is this. Mix bicarbonate of soda, baking powder and cornflower in the ratio of 1:1:2 parts. Divide in half between two old socks. Place inside shoe at least overnight.

When wet sprinkle in vinegar and leave to dry. When dry sprinkle in bicarbonate of soda - gets messy.

You'd be amazed at the uses these products have around the house, good in cakes as well. Every few months I wash mine with detergent and dry outside. This is best done on windy days.

Overshoes don't make much difference in rain like we had on Friday. You need winter boots for that.

 

[Binky]

Hi all. Just after a bit of advice. Shoes got soaked on Friday. I have over shoes but find them a pain to use.
The smell of damp in the shoes is still lingering. Any ideas how I can counter this?
TIA

I've had this and the way to sort is dry out with newspaper stuffed inside, probably need to change several times then sprinkle bicarbonate of soda inside shoes. Leave for a few hours then remove.

Job done no smell.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Putting them on top of the radiator will dry them quicker
but can encourage the bugs - as said above
and the fabric can suffer as it is not designed for that level of heat

I I generally put them on the floor under the radiator
they get the air flow and some heat to quicken the drying but not too much heat

 

[T4tomo]

Winter boots.

 

[si_c]

Properly waterproof winter boots with a built in gaiter are the only way to keep your shoes properly dry. Winter shoes will work to keep your feet warm / mostly dry but if rain is heavy then you'll get wet feet.

Years of commuting in all weather taught me that regular shoes with neoprene overshoes keep my feet warm if not dry in the worst weather. If the heating is on then put your shoes on the radiator to let them dry off quickly, if not then a heated shoe warmer works wonders - a lot of heated clothes airers have one built in as well.

 

[Dadam]

Snowpea shoe dryer. Might help to get them dried off faster rather than damply festering.

This one or this one? The second one has a fan whereas the first seems just to have heating elements and relies on convection through the holes.

Been looking online for shoe dryers, not just for cycling. It seems most winter the hall radiator has shoes on it. Usually use the newspaper trick but it's in shorter supply these days, though the Amazon packaging paper we get in copious quantities is a reasonable substitute

 

[Animo]

This one or this one? The second one has a fan whereas the first seems just to have heating elements and relies on convection through the holes.

Been looking online for shoe dryers, not just for cycling. It seems most winter the hall radiator has shoes on it. Usually use the newspaper trick but it's in shorter supply these days, though the Amazon packaging paper we get in copious quantities is a reasonable substitute

I have the one on the first link described as "upgraded white". It extends out to fill the whole shoe better than the standard one would.

 

[Moodyman]

Full mudguards.

After this do nothing. Really do nothing. Your shoes will dry on your next ride or two via airflow. If you don’t have a ride planned imminently, hang them on the washing line via the Velcro or laces.

For the smell, anti bacterial spray on a clean rag and wipe internals.

 

[MichaelW2]

Stuff old newspapers inside to dry them out

Newspapers are all online now. Please advise.

 

[si_c]

Full mudguards.

After this do nothing. Really do nothing. Your shoes will dry on your next ride or two via airflow. If you don’t have a ride planned imminently, hang them on the washing line via the Velcro or laces.

For the smell, anti bacterial spray on a clean rag and wipe internals.

Mudguards definitely help, but I've had plenty of rides where the rain is so heavy that I've got wet feet regardless. Air drying also only works if there is sufficient time to dry them out - experience has told me that 8 hours isn't enough without a heat source.

 

[steveindenmark]

Buy winter boots.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Wear sandals

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

It won't solve the smell of wet shoes, but for autumn/winter even when it's not raining, buy a cheap ~£10 pair of neoprene socks from somewhere like Amazon and wear a thin pair of summer socks under them while riding.

Your feet aren't likely to get wet from rain or the damp shoes, they won't get cold unless it's subzero outside and you chuck the daily pair of thin summer socks in the wash inside of frequently washing the neoprene socks.

I looked at winter cycling shoes so many times when I started cycling more often in '17 and so wish I'd pulled the trigger sooner than I did around autumn '19. My PlanetX Das Boots were brilliant for commuting and recreationally riding in on wet or cold days, still are, albeit heading out in such weather is far less frequent now.

 

[Dan Lotus]

This one or this one? The second one has a fan whereas the first seems just to have heating elements and relies on convection through the holes.

Been looking online for shoe dryers, not just for cycling. It seems most winter the hall radiator has shoes on it. Usually use the newspaper trick but it's in shorter supply these days, though the Amazon packaging paper we get in copious quantities is a reasonable substitute

I've had one that looks this for 3 years, and it's been excellent, for cycle shoes, walking boots, running shoes etc etc.