Sorry Dan, I should have said that I will be going through some very high, windy cold places. Sandles will come with me for the warmer sections
Ah! Matt, I don't think you'll find any of the usual cycling-oriented shoe covers will fit your boots -- those sorts of covers tend to be slim-fitting an dintended for low-cup shoes. Perhaps something like the covers Jim mentioned above would do the trick; it might be worth seeing if you can find a place that would allow you to test-fit a pair to your clean boots in the showroom.
Hmm.
I see a couple routes you may also wish to explore:
1) How about a boot
liner, perhaps something like the SealSkins brand of waterproof socks -- maybe layered with various thicknesses of wool liner socks -- and simply allow the boots to get wet while your feet stay (relatively) dry and warm.
2) There are also covers intended for hiking-style boots. Perhaps this guide will help:
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/gaiters.htmlOf course, gaiters don't cover the entire boot, so success would depend on treating the leather with a waterproofing compound (assuming the boots are leather). My favorite is Sno-Seal (
http://www.atsko.com/products/waterproofing/sno-seal.html ), but there are a number of preparations out there that work equally well for other users. Such treatments need reapplication, but can help prolong the life of your footwear by protecting the leather from water and preventing it from drying out and cracking over time.
I see more and more "cycle-trekkers" riding in boots; a tremendous number of long-distance tourists used them in The Netherlands when I was there. They're versatile, so a nice way to reduce your footwear collection while on-tour, and you're always ready if you need to demount and push your bike or simply wish to go hiking. As an an old roadie, I tend to be at the other extreme, riding in (vintage) racing cleats with my quill pedals and toe clips/straps. For off-bike use, I carry a pair of nylon-mesh clogs built on trainer bottoms. They serve for everything from hiking to shower shoes. They are anything but waterproof and drain freely and dry quickly. Vive la différence; to each is own, it's all good!
Best,
Dan.
