[Closed] Is it just me....?

The vaude moab gtx boots are amazing and def waterproof

....ah....I'll give that one a check out.

It feels like the rest of the MTBing world either has snowy winters or winters that aren’t cold & wet.

We have summers that are hot and wet ... which means that waterproof anything is normally a waste of time.

As suggested, either the The vaude moab gtx boots or the 5:10 trailcross gore-tex. I have both and both are great. The Vaude are better for the really cold days.

I just bought these for my son - Five Ten Freerider pro mid vcs, not waterproof, but might do the trick and a great sole 🙂

five ten freerider ELC's were brilliant, hard to get hold of now though

3rded on the Vaude GTX. They are very durable, properly waterproof and ethically made. Mine are three years old and the soles/uppers hardly worn. However since getting a pair of Adidas /5-10 Goretex  late last year, not worn them. The 5-10s are quite a bit lighter and nowhere near as insulated. But with the mild winter we've had (here), not felt the need to break out the GTXs.

Waterproof socks seems to be the answer. I was not sold until I got some riding trousers, these seem to channel water over the sock cuff so they don't just fill with water.

Wet feet in the end if it's really wet, but this setup has kept me driest, for longest, to date.

Pointless trying to stay dry. Both shoes and socks will always have a big hole at the top. Either try to cover the hole. Long socks and long trousers as above. Or just focus on keeping warm.

Non waterproof footwear seems to dry out quicker than waterproof stuff so works better for multi day use.

Don't disagree with any of the advice above and will check out those vaude boots, it's more or less what I've been doing for years with varying levels of success.

My point is: why on earth don't shoe / bike apparel companies make more specific 'wet weather' gear (especially for flat pedals) as opposed to focussing on dry / hot weather...surely it's not just us in Blighty (or here sunny Glasgow) where it rains a lot!

I did start of this thread by saying I was being a grumpy old git!

No OP
You're not alone. The paucity of decent wet weather MTB shoes is staggering.

Pointless trying to stay dry. Both shoes and socks will always have a big hole at the top. 

Which could be made watertight if companies put a bit of effort into it. As previously stated, drysuits, drycags, drytrousers do an excellent job of keeping the body dry even when fully submerged after a kayaking exit. It shouldn't be beyond the wit of 5.10 etc to do something similar to divert a few drops of rainwater and spray from dripping in.

Don’t disagree with any of the advice above and will check out those vaude boots, it’s more or less what I’ve been doing for years with varying levels of success.

My point is: why on earth don’t shoe / bike apparel companies make more specific ‘wet weather’ gear (especially for flat pedals) as opposed to focussing on dry / hot weather…surely it’s not just us in Blighty (or here sunny Glasgow) where it rains a lot!

I did start of this thread by saying I was being a grumpy old git!

A few years ago you would've had more of a point. But you now have options.

Five Ten GTX Gore-Tex are what you need. 100% waterproof and when worn with waterproof trousers your feet will stay dry.

What more do want/expect? How many options do you need? You can only wear one pair of shoes.

The Five Tens are totally waterproof, even when I hose them off up close no water gets in. Obviously if you don't wear them with waterproof trousers water will get in, and you'd be surprised at how many people can't work this out for themselves.
As for insulation some decent merino winter socks like Defeet woolie boolie's and its job done.

Waterproof socks seems to be the answer. I was not sold until I got some riding trousers, these seem to channel water over the sock cuff so they don’t just fill with water.

Wet feet in the end if it’s really wet, but this setup has kept me driest, for longest, to date

+1

I used to wear a pair of army surplus, goretex gaiters with whatever waterproof boots suited the conditions... The gaiters were about a tenner on eBay and they almost entirely solve the issue of water coming in over the top of your boots. They just keep *everything* out. Yes, they look a bit odd but who cares - toasty, dry feet and camouflaged ankles ftw 😀

vaude moab

For those with these Vaude shoes, how do they size up compared to say Shimano shoes? Are they true to size or should I go a size up to get some decent merino / gore socks on?

I am euro 43 in my trail cross shoes and went up to 44 to make sure i could fit bigger socks for the moabs. They still fit well for me

What Onzadog said. Also add to that list waterproof gloves. Just get some that are warm when they’re wet/damp. Unless you’re planning on gaffa taping the cuff of the socks/gloves closed at the top eventually you’ll have soggy fingers/toes from seepage. But then they just end up sweating.