bikepacking with flat pedals/shoes

[stumpbumper]

Have you tried taking along waterproof gaiters?  Won't keep your feet dry during a creek dunking but perfect for rainy days, wet brush and snow.  I use them with my waterproofed 5.10s.

PEET makes a butane-powered drier but might be a bit bulky unless you are pulling a trailer   

Happy trails.   

[tartosuc]

Hi all,
my first post here.

I use flat pedals with 5/10 on regualar days but when things get wet i use my Merrel hiking boots. I find that it works pretty well, the sole is stiff enough and you dont feel the sole arch that much. I loose a little bit on the grip but not enough to make it a problem.

[DoctorRad]

I used to hate getting wet feet both because they'd get sore easily and get cold even more easily. I tried all manner of things, up to and including gaiters, but my preferred solution is a good pair of Gore-Tex oversocks. Thin, light and very effective.

[tartosuc]

I agree with the gore tex socks comment.
i usually use them also, combined with my hiking boots
i find that even with the gore tex socks, my 5/10 biking shoes  retain water too much and get heavy .. they also get damage a lot faster when they are wet.

[Mountaindavis]

I think some sort of ultralight waterproof over-shoe-cover is in store.  I'll either find one or make a pair.  Does anyone know of any?  Not even sure what they are called.

[rperks]

I think you may be thinking of spats, as referenced in this GF interview:
http://reviews.mtbr.com/nahbs/2011/03/15/gary-fisher-interview/

or the awkward but functional version here:
http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/musa-splats-pair/60-053

Kind of like gaiters that cover the shoe.

[ea82abuser]

Hey I ride flats exclusively and my shoe of choice is the Merrell Moab Ventillator.  It's a trail running shoe but doesn't have a pronouced heel; the bottom is pretty flat.  The tread sticks to aluminum just fine and is great off the bike.  They dry out quite fast.  The soles stand up well to traction pins.  I've had many pair and usually the rest of the shoe fails before the traction pins wear though the sole.

To that end, it is a lightweight shoe and doesn't last too long.  Sure are comfy for pushing up those mountain passes though.

[Mountaindavis]

Splats.  Yeah, but No.

I'll check out the Merrell--worst case, swap the sole.  Thanks!

[Damnitman]

"...a miniature boot drier!"

...take a couple warm stones from next to the campfire and put them into the shoes.

[offroute]

Used these shoe covers on 5.10 Impacts in hours of driving rain--no issues, completely dry:

http://www.rei.com/product/725342/sugoi-resistor-bike-booties


A good alternative to permanent waterproofing (read permanent de-ventilating).

[xckeefe12]

Spent some time debating this one. Which would you choose?

1. Powergrips
2. Shimano PD-M647
3. Shimano PD-A530

For 4 months of touring, mostly road but the CT and trails in Utah mixed in

[tartosuc]

Spent some time debating this one. Which would you choose?

1. Powergrips
2. Shimano PD-M647
3. Shimano PD-A530

For 4 months of touring, mostly road but the CT and trails in Utah mixed in

I dont like powergrips personnaly.
PD-a530 are awkward to use, hard to flip to the clip side as they tend to pivot with the clip down...theyre also quite cheap in quality.
PD-m647 are a reference in quality and reliability for a clipless pedal. you would still feel the clip part when using flat shoes but they will do the job, ... i would go for theses if yoy plan on using clipless shoes mainly and occasionnal flat shoe ride.

[MonkeySpacePilot]

Some new bike shoes from Teva, with an ion waterproof coating may be of interest.

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-blog/tevas-first-bike-shoe-debuts/8277.html

[Damnitman]

Fortybelow.com has a selection of Very water-resistant / waterproof neoprene overboots...With anything from moderate to no mods you can really make a pair of boots into what you want...l'll dig up a pic or three from a project boot of my own.

[Damnitman]

My mod for COLD weather.  Good clipless and comfortable riding for hours, even at -40f...that's -40c for everyone else in the world...

[Damnitman]

A friend's mod using different FortyBelow.com booties for some -40f ss / platform Iditarod Trail action...

[sherpaxc]

Old thread I know. I've started using flats. Currently on 5.10 Freeriders and Spank Spikes pedals. Like I said a long time ago,  was curious. Finally took the plunge. I can't see me doing the Colorado Trail in them like I plan on this summer. Anyone tried the Aescent from 5.10 for a multi day?  I know Vik did. I need something a bit stiff for longer use and not as much padding.

[offroute]

Each to his own, sherpa. Impacts worked fine for me on the CT. (Note that I didn't set any speed records.)

I've started using approach shoes for trails with substantial HAB, and I don't see going back to Impacts for my next bikepack:

http://www.rei.com/product/830222/scarpa-crux-approach-shoes-mens

Lighter and smaller than Impacts by a good margin. A little sacrifice on tech uphill pedaling, but negligible DH performance. Slap some shoe covers on them and they'll be storm worthy. We plan on this footwear for the Divide this year.

Cheers...

[adamgnewman]

There are some new 5.10 Freeriders that are water-resistant or "winterized" or whatever. Haven't tried them. Love my regular Freeriders too. I've been using those with the Spank Spike pedals too.

http://fiveten.com/products/footwear-detail/14218-freerider-vxi-elements-ocean-depths

[bmike-vt]

A friend's mod using different FortyBelow.com booties for some -40f ss / platform Iditarod Trail action...

that is a clever hack. and a nice reuse of an endo.