I live in a very rainy place (esp in the autumn and winter), and since i started cycling to work I ruined 2 pairs of shoes in the rain.
Do you guys have recommandations for sneakers which look like actual sneakers but are 100% waterproof (not just water resistant)?
Bonus points will be awarded for sustainable and traceable supply chains 😅
Mukishoes is out of portugal and they will also resole your shoes for you for cheap when the soles wear out.
https://mukishoes.com/product/raw-leather-brown/
They have a leather shoe that is kind of sneaker style, but oil it up with a leather conditioner and it is waterproof. I live in Belgium, so very rainy and my feet have yet to get wet in them using mink oil IIRC (Definitely buy the wool insole though because they have thin minimalist soles so it gets cold when temp dips <0)
Never heard of this one. Thank you. Looks like they’re worth considering for my use, too.
I’d suggest, depending on weather and exposure, simply getting shoes that can get wet and easily dry out and keeping a pair for indoors your bag.
I change clothes on arrival. Got to because of the stinky sweat anyways :)
Exactly. Sometimes the 10 min walk from the train to office is enough to make me want a change of clothes!
A friend of mine is an all-weather, all-season cyclist and will generally wear crocs barefoot when cycling, changing to dry shoes when he gets to where he’s going.
My feet would freeze and fall off!
My friend lives in Canada, cycles in the winter and he still has both feet.
You’re going to have a hard time finding fully-waterproof sneaker-style shoes because the nature of a sneaker implies holes for ventilation and a slit between the tongue and the upper.
I’m aware these aren’t what you asked for, but since that doesn’t exist you might have to consider them anyway:
You could get some cycling shoe covers, although they’re intended to go over roadie cycling shoes for use with clipless pedals (3-post cleats), not regular sneakers.
You could also get mountain-biking shoes (2-post cleats) or trail-running shoes, but they won’t be fully waterproof.
Personally, when I was commuting a decent distance by bike (far enough to justify using clipless pedals), I wore cycling sandals when it was warm enough and mountain-biking shoes when it wasn’t, and then changed into dry non-athletic shoes that I kept at the office.
As someone who also cycles to work every day and through every weather, I would also recommend either shoe covers or a good pair of rubber boots (and putting your shoes in a bag to change after you arrive). In my experience, keeping regular-ish shoes dry only goes so far and often leads to wet socks once the leather grease or waterproof spray starts to wear off.
Have you considered a shoe protection instead? Often rain pants cover most of the shoe anyways, so my shoes stay reasonably dry over 15-30 minute commutes. (Not sport shoes, those get wet on sight of rain, not even the need of an actual rain drop… -.- )
Not sure if it’s meets your requirements, but I’ve had a pair of Salomon Speedcross shoes in various iterations over the years and only get a new pair when they finally stop being waterproof. Since they use Goretex (a problem ethically in its own way) it eventually breaks down and water starts seeping in, but it lasts as long as a running shoe normally does anyway
I know it depends how you cut the cookie but their ultimate parent is a Chinese company
I like my Ecco trainers that are waterproof, company is headquartered in Denmark. https://gb.ecco.com/
Thanks, the Golf Street Retro are nicely styled!
Vessi
Yeah I have Vessi Stormburst hi tops, I have had them for nearly 3 years and they still stand up to water and snow.
I have stepped into a puddle that completely submerged the whole foot and not a drop of water got in.
Yeah, have a look in decathlon. They have waterproof shoes which look like trainers. I’ve got myself some, I can go through puddles with them and stay dry.
There’s a company here that makes and sells shoes out of recycled stuff, or so I’m told. They advertise a slip-on shoe that is waterproof, among a bunch of products.
Look for Vessi , either online or where you shop for shoes.
Vessi indeed comes to mind, but they’re not European. Plus they have (had?) controversial claims and commercial practices.
Right. I forget “Buy European” doesn’t include Canada unless and until we can join – we have a sea border with France but our land border with Denmark is key. Being so remote, I’m sure there’s interest for the people of Miquelon and St Pierre to trade and travel even more easily than they do now.
Hmm good catch on the supply chain concerns. I’m glad you’re being so vigilant and I’m sure a 100% EU-made shoe vendor will be interesting to us here as well. Which ones with impeccable supply chains have you confirmed so far?
Wouldn’t you want non-waterproof shoes that dry easily? Like canvas shoes? What shoes were you wearing to ruin them with rain
Because I don’t want to spend an entire day at the office with wet feet in the winter?
The shoes ruined were regular leather sneakers (Veja and Vesica Piscis).
In what way were they ruined?
nothing like that exists.
buy waterproof shoe covers. that is what they are for.
I saw some nice leather sneakers last time I was shoe shopping. They were pretty expensive and I forgot the name of them.
I was thinking along the same lines of you and thought if you coupled it with a tub of Dubbin they would make great winter shoes.
In the end I settled with leather work boots and dubbin plus some nice, breathable runners for exercising.
