Shoe recommendations for wet fall

[Andrew Turner]

TL;DR: Looking for a shoe that'll last a long time during the rainy seasons or when water in your shoes is inevitable. 

My rides usually include a couple creek crossings and come the rainy seasons, I'm guaranteed to get wet feet. 

Summer's covered with bedrock sandals. Winter's covered in that I avoid getting wet on top of cold at all cost. But does anyone have any recommendations for spring/fall wet-condition riding shoes? 

I usually ride sambas but man does water quickly wreck them...not to mention the god-awful squishy feeling when water's down in there that simply doesn't go away. Other thoughts are some sort of camp moc. Might still be squishy but my hunch is the leather will last a lot longer than typical synthetic shoe materials. Or heck are water shoes a thing among cyclists? 

Happy to hear any recommendations, and if it's simply a 'deal with it' situation, that's fine too. 

- Andrew

[Deacon Patrick]

Boiled wool socks, at which point nearly any shoe you like will work great. I like Vivo barefoot's Ra II. I ride with a leather sole as an insert to emulate a stiffer soled cycling shoe. I recommend Dachstein boiled wool. Here are their socks: https://www.sweaterchalet.com/dachstein-woolwear-boiled-wool-sweaters-mitts-socks-caps-gloves/

With abandon,

Patrick

[Deacon Patrick]

Sorry, I meant to ask also, what temps you're talking about? I find the trickiest weather to ride, rest, and then ride again in is wet and 25 to 55. Below that, and staying dry is easy, above that and staying warm is easy, even when wet. If you haven't tried fish net long johns for this temp range, they really make it easy. Brynje is the best I've found. Depending on conditions I'll layer up to: fish net top, cotton flannel shirt, Hilltrek ventile jacket (well, cotton analogy). If I'm stopped, I'll add a boiled wool sweater to that if needed, under or instead of the ventile.

This ride was wet and likely 20-25˚F. https://deaconpatrick.org/june-snow-callooh-callay. Even though I sweat riding up, the mid-weight boiled wool sweater breaths perfectly and sheds the snow from tree branches and sky, then keeps my warm while I sit for a pipe and coffee, all with the fishnet as a base layer on top. For winter, I have the heavier boiled wool sweater.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Andrew Turner]

Thanks for the links! You actually turned me to Dachstein socks a couple years ago and they're simply the best. Unfortunately, one of our dogs got a hold of one so I need to replace them before winter. Our weather here in TN is nothing compared to your neck of the woods, snow comes once a year if we're lucky! The temperature range I'm struggling with is that 35-55°F. A thinner ply Dachstein sock will likely solve the warmth factor. Now it's just what shoe dries quickly. 

Thank you Deacon Patrick! 

Andrew 

[masmojo]

That tricky. because the temperature range is still quite cool. Just above freezing the still freezing, if it's wet and it's windy or you are moving through the air, due to evaporative cooling. Up to about 45 to 50 degrees it would still be imperative to keep your feet dry! On up to at least 65 I'd prefer to stay dry. To that end I am not sure what to say? Probably some sort of shoe cover?
I have a pair of water shoes that I wear when it's not quite sandle weather.

[Andrew Turner]

I'll look into some water shoes. With boiled wool socks, even walking through water, my feet will stay warm albeit wet. 

[Deacon Patrick]

Andrew,

It took me a long time to find and dial in what works for me in those conditions, which fall in what I consider the most challenging temp range (wet and cold). Get it wrong, and if you stop (intentionally or for a flat) while still in the elements, hypothermia can set in fast. Now that I have it dialed in, it's incredibly satisfying to hang out on an autumn rainy day in an aspen glen I rode to and be warm and toasty the whole time vs "can't stop, gotta stay warm!" Grin.

Options to try and learn:

- Add a warmer hat. The 2-ply boiled wool is perfect for those conditions.

- Make sure your shoes/boots are upsized for thicker socks. Diminished circulation from constriction is not fun. Generally one size up will cover it.

- Boiled wool with sandals. I tested this and it works well for me down to about 25˚F. That's with the 3+ply over the knee socks. Just let 'um get wet and ride.
- quality thin, supple leather, upsized to accommodate the sock, such as the Ra II mentioned earlier.

- A duck boot/shoe, like from LL Bean. Unlined, so you can change socks when they take a while to dry.

- A gator to just under your knee to keep the splash out. I use a double ventile gator and it's fantastic.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Andrew Turner]

Boiled wool with sandals will be my first attempt, I picked up some 2-ply socks and crocs. That just might do it for me until the temperatures start to drop below 50. Below that and I should probably just avoid creek crossings. 

Cheers! 

Andrew 

[Fullylugged]

Thicker wool socks and sandals work well for me down to about 40F unless the wind is strong. Then I add wind covers. below 40F, I wear seal skinz over my socks and they are the bomb when it gets really cold. Still with sandals. https://www.sealskinzusa.com/

[tuolumne bikes]

Check out Crocs Swiftwater Mesh. I have previous version without drainage holes. They are a tighter fit than most Crocs, but still very light and grippy. Seem to be on sale everywhere.

[Tom Wyland]

A friend of mine was quite happy with Neoprene socks and sandals during the winter.  I just wear my doc martin pull-on boots (guachos) or another pair of shorter chelsea-type pull-on boots (leather, non-lined).  Not ideal for long distances, though.

[Nathan F]

Andrew,

Blundstones perform better than they have any right to while riding. Get some wool socks (and if it's really cold, their shearling footbed) and you'll be all set!

Plus they're trendy right now and are worth +15 on any Instagram post you make : )

Nathan 

[Lyman Labry]

I can vouch for the Blundstones.  Rode in them on tour in rainy Scotland last year and all was good.  Did not know about the shearling footbed.  Sounds great.

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[Adam Lyon]

Patrick--I was looking at these boiled socks and gloves that you rep and wondered what thickness you use in the winter. What're the differences in warmth / dexterity / etc. between the 3- and 4-ply styles? I emailed the company but got a mangled, jargon-y nonanswer in reply...

Thanks!
Adam

[masmojo]

Just got some Redbacks which are like Blundstones on Steroids. :-)