What footwear do you wear for walking/running in the rain? - YouLookFab Forum

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What footwear do you wear for walking/running in the rain?

Chris987

Veteran

It was raining pretty hard when I went for my morning walk/run today. I wore hiking shoes, which are the only footwear I have for such activities that is vaguely waterproof. Both pairs of my running shoes have cloth uppers and get soaked pretty quickly if I wear them in the rain.

I have good waterproof raincoats etc, and I actually like being out in the rain (not sure why but I've loved it since I was very young), it's just the shoes that are an issue.

What do you other walkers/runners wear on your feet when it's raining pretty hard?

Dressing

31 replies

Latest reply was from TraceyLiz65

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Goretex trail runners. I don't usually go out when it's raining super hard, but that would be my vote. For gear, I mean.

Eventually your feet do get wet even in these because the water will seep in through seams. But they keep you pretty dry for a while. Waterproof hiking boots even more so.

Or for regular commuting, Aquatalia booties or boots.

JAileen

Veteran

I wear Salomon waterproof hiking shoes. They have good traction. Salomon works for my foot shape. My big toes curl up and I need a high toe box. They're not stylish or anything, though. I took them to Turkey where it rained or snowed everyday, and my feet stayed dry. I have several pairs. I should add that while I live in a desert, I do go places where it rains, such as Texas.

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LaPed

Veteran

I've actually sworn off Goretex. It does not breathe, makes my feet sweat, and takes forever to dry. I prefer runners with the most mesh possible, as they dry out more quickly afterwards. Or for walking/hiking on the summer, I'll also wear my Chacos. Any water-friendly sandal, such as Keen, Chaco, or Teva, is nice for wet walks.

rizamei

For actual running, I just wear my normal running shoes and accept that I'll get soaked. I have two pairs, so I can give pairs time to dry out if there's a long stretch of wet weather and I'm running on consecutive days. (I live in the Pacific NW, and this happens a lot.) I tried ordering some GoreTex weatherproof running shoes. The shoes that I was wearing at the time (Brooks Ghost) came in both a regular version and a GoreTex version. They were heavy and stiff so I returned them. They might have been fine for just walking, but felt too clunky for running.

Diana

Veteran

(Disclaimer: I don't run so these are only for walking.)

If I'm walking for exercise I'll wear my new balance trail runners. Not waterproof but more so than my regular mesh new balances and with good traction. But honestly I'd probably forego going out for a walk if it's raining more than a drizzle.

For commuting /work, when I want to look nicer, I'll wear my patent leather oxfords which look dressy and are completely waterproof. In the winter, most of my boots are at least water resistant so it's not an issue.

Runcarla

Veteran

What rizamei wrote. I rotate through 5 different pairs, and some are better than others for certain running situations. If it looks like rain, I'll wear my lightest pair with the most mesh.

If it looks like a really messy day, I do a treadmill run!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I wear Saucony gore-tex shoes. My runs are the field-and-stream with naughty dog sort and I am likely to get wet feet just from morning dew. I have low volume feet and this and New Balance are the brands that work best for running for me.

<http://www.saucony.com/en/xodu.....g&>

jill58

Veteran

Regular running shoes. I do enjoy running in the light rain but not when it's pouring.

DonnaF

Veteran

Goretex hiking shoes or my leather walking shoes. I have two pairs of the Addictions so a pair can always be drying out. I try not to walk in the rain, but the track where I walk can be wet.

Brooks 'Addiction' Walking Shoe (Women)

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2

rachylou

Veteran

I'm a walker, not a runner, and I basically wear wellies with heavy socks, because they have no padding. Really not at all comfortable. I've seen online there are padded farmers boots, but the purveyors have all been in the UK and don't ship to the US. In the US, I haven't found anything like.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Regular running shoes and smartwool running socks. They keep my feet nice and dry-feeling, even when I run through puddles. (That should be past tense, actually; I haven't run for quite some time, but will eventually get back to it, I'm sure.)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote stay home when it's pouring with rain, and have another cuppa.

Sara L.

Veteran

Ha, I was going to say the same thing as Angie! Also, we usually have short, intense thunderstorms so there's no reason to venture out - it'll be gone in 30 minutes.

Traci

Veteran

I'm in the sandal camp. I have a pair of tevas I wear if I know it will rain. I'll throw a pair of cotton socks in my bag if I'm hoping to dry out later in the day. If my feet are going to get wet I'd rather have them as open to the air as possible.

Zibbets

Veteran

I love running in the rain. I wear regular running shoes and let them dry out afterward.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Salomon makes good hiking shoes that are surprisingly waterproof. I used to have two pairs. They're too heavy for running, though -- I wore them for hiking only. At the moment I have Saucony running shoes, which I wear rain or shine for trail running. They get wet. *shrug*. It's not bothersome to me, but then, I don't run if it's really raining hard.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Like Rachy, I wear rain boots when it is seriously raining ( just for walking not running). For morning dew, light rain, I used to have a pair of bos & co waterproof boots that I loved until they finally wore out. I hope to replace them soonish.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Like you, I love walking in the rain. I'm no runner either.

I just wear my regular walking shoes (Sketchers) that have a mesh upper. They do get wet, but I have 2 pairs so I switch them. Being mesh, they dry quickly too.

Sal

Veteran

I wear regular running shoes for running or a serious walk. If I am doing something in the garden or watching sport on the sideline I wear gumboots/rainboots/wellingtons..... I can walk in them comfortably and last several hours but they have no support.

In torrential rain I tend to stay home!

It has rained here for about six days straight now!!

rose

You must live near me, Sally! Regular shoes for walking for me... or stay home and hibernate 'til summer....

Urja Pandya

Member

I wear Ankle Rain Boots when I want to go for walking not running. Those are very comfortable that makes my feet smile. I just love walking in the rain. So, sometimes I wear casual shoes and let them dry out later.

Anonymous

I'm like Jill58. Everything is going to get wet anyway so I wear my normal running shoes. But I want to add that I walk/hike in light-to-mid rain. If it is a heavy, drenching rain, I'll find other alternatives.

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks for all the great info. I have to do some gardening before it gets too hot so will reply back a bit later.

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks so much ladies....a lot of interesting comments and quite a diversity in what you wear.

I was specifically looking for ideas for shoes I can run in in hard rain, so I'll focus my replies on that. I do have Merrill hiking shoes that I wear in cooler months for daily walks where I'm not running and although I didn't opt for the waterproof version they are pretty close to it.

First of all, to Angie, Sara and everyone else who suggested not going out at all in hard rain, having another cuppa etc...as much as I appreciate the kindness of your suggestions, most of the time I'm not going to take your advice I do not belong to a gym nor do I own a treadmill and I really love to get outdoors every day even in rain and snow to get some fresh air and exercise. There is something about thumbing my nose at mother nature that makes me feel strong and powerful. (I never really articulated that before). I try to do it every day although I don't hit it 100%. I save my "stay home" days for those winter days when snow piles up on my busy street with no sidewalks and it's actually dangerous to be on the road. Even then I try to get out at some point.

Thanks Diana, Jill58, Donna F, Brooklyn, Maneera, Kiwigal, Rose, Urja Pandya, Sterling ..

Suz, hmm didn't know there were shoes made of goretex, will have to look into that. "Trail runner" sounds like it is intended for running.

Jaileen, I find hiking shoes are too heavy and inflexible for running.

Le Pedestrienne - interesting that you vote against Goretex, and prefer letting mesh runners get wet and then drying out.

Rizamel, Runcarla, Zibbets, Aziraphale, ...more votes for letting the mesh get wet and being ok with it.

UmmLila ..another vote for the goretex running ones. I definitely need to go try some on and see if they feel too heavy for me or not.

Rachy - I've never worn wellies so I have nothing to suggest...try checking in with Kate Middleton ...:-)

Firecracker...hmm..I do wear smartwool socks in cooler months but have never tried the ones made for running or wearing them in warmer months...will think about that.

Traci - I cant' quite imagine running in Tevas, they don't seem to have enough basic foot coverage to me.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

For every day - I wear Crocs sandals. I wear these everywhere on warm, rainy days. And it's great on a bike because the rubber soles won't slide off from the pedal.

For running - I wear my regular Asics/Saucony's and let them get wet if I have to.

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Eli

(website)

I never thought about this! Where I am from it hardly rains at all. I get more concerned about my little poodle getting his paws socked. : (

Only thing i can think of is to wear sneakers with a change of socks? I always have to air them out when they get caught in the rain.

rachylou

Veteran

I would definitely look at trail runners, because traction is also an issue...

DonnaF

Veteran

I just wanted to add that when I walk I wear a sweat/headband visor. The tinted plastic visor is huge so it keeps both sun and rain off my face and glasses. You can adjust the angle. It also comes with an adjustable cord so it doesn't fly away in big gusts of wind. I bought it at a Korean market so it is much more functional and not at all fashionable. Since plastic gets brittle, I buy these babies six at a time and fear they won't carry then again.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I just wear my regular running shoes. Lots of mesh so they dry quickly. Running is a lot to do with dedication and overcoming discomfort. Wet feet are part of it

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