Waterproof overshoes: am I using them right? As part of my &quot;in case it rains&quot; gear, I have waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers and waterproof overshoes.
The first time I used them I had the &quot;brilliant&quot; idea to tuck the trousers into the overshoes, with the result of pouring all the rainwater directly into my shoes. What a miserable day it was.
Last time, remembering the previous experience, I have fastened the trousers Velcro straps around the overshoes making sure that the overshoes were under the trousers. At the end of the rainy day my socks, shoes and feet were nevertheless drenched in water.
Am I missing something in the way I should use overshoes, or is it simply unrealistic to have really waterproof overshoes?
I use cleats, leather mountain-bike shoes and when the above happened I rode about 6 hours, the first 4 under the rain, on mostly paved roads and some white roads.
I've got a couple of pairs, and have had similar experiences.
The best I can do is with my better pair (with a reasonably tight but comfortable ankle strap) underneath my splash - resistant leg warmers. That keeps out a short heavy shower, or light drizzle for a few hours, but persistent rain always gets in (and anyway feet get sweaty in overshoes). Short socks (well below the ankle band) help as they don't provide a part for water to wick.
They'll never seal well enough if your feet dip in a puddle, even if, like me in winter, you tape up any vents in your soles. Even splashing from underneath can get in eventually.
The overshoes are still very beneficial in cold wet weather, as the water in there is much warmer than the rain, and wind chill is reduced. In warm weather I often don't use them (e.g. Saturday I was riding all day, mostly in rain, but would have been too hot with overshoes).
I only cycle in waterproof trousers well below freezing, as a third windproof layer over bike tights and running leggings. Even breathable ones are too hot and get very sweaty.   In fact, in summer rain I'm reluctant to wear any form of jacket.  Breathable ones are too warm and  aren't breathable enough, so I carry something thin and light, but end up just as wet from sweat.