BikePGH Message Board Archive

toe covers/shoe covers

does anyone have any recommendations for these? i rode all last winter with nothing on my toes, and wearing cycling shoes that let everything in, so i guess my standards aren't that high. but sometimes i want to go on winter rides that involve downhills, and then i really feel like i need something on my toes.

i had a pair of shoe covers that were supposed to be pretty heavy duty. they worked great at keeping my feet warm and dry, but the zipper up the back chafed the hell out of my leg. is this par for the course? do i need to wear longer socks, or are some better than others in this regard?

i've never used toe covers, but they seem like they might get me by, what with my low standards. anyone use them? thoughts?

hiddenvariable

2011-11-11 14:59:45

I have s set of toe covers that I use in the winter over cycling shoes. They look dorky, but do a pretty good job of keeping wind at bay. The strap on the back can sometimes ride up above my shoe onto my achilles tendon, but not all that often. I can't say they keep me toasty warm, but they don't hurt. Mine are old Sidetrak brand ones made of heavy neoprene, similar ones are available out there.

Unfortunately you just have to try variations of them until you find a setup that does it for you.

bradq

2011-11-11 15:07:47

@HV: I've got a spare pair of full covers with Velcro closures in the back. You're welcome to try 'em out if you'd like.

reddan

2011-11-11 15:22:49

I used a pair of cheaper toe covers for a few rides that I picked up as a last ditch thing from Performance. They did a fairly good job of keeping my toes warm/dry on the rides when it was snowing and with wet roads. Since they were cheap though, they weren't very durable - I had several tears in them by the end of the 3rd or 4th time using them. I doubt they'd last much longer than that.

richw

2011-11-11 15:23:46

I tried toe covers and shoe covers, for a while. Shoe covers work a bit better than toe covers and are more durable -- Nashbar has some decent ones for $30. But boots are the way to go for cold weather. I was never able to keep my feet warm enough without them. I bought some Pearl Izumi boots that were a bit too small (I'm 10 1/2) a couple of years ago and recently replaced them with ones that will fit my feet -- does anyone want my old ones? They'll fit 10 or so. I'll make a good price.

jonawebb

2011-11-11 15:25:10

So far this year I've been getting away with electric tape wrapped around the toes of my mountain shoes. It doesn't really provide as much insulation as full shoe covers, but at least it covers up and blocks the cold air from going in the mesh vent holes. I own a cheap pair of shoe covers from Nashbar, but don't see those coming out again until the overnight lows get down to the 20s.

wsh6232

2011-11-14 16:19:59

@ wsh6232, A 3 inch by 4 inch piece of Tvak paper (from USPS mail envelope) shoved inside your shoe makes a good & cheap windblock in temps around 40. A bonus is that you can remove it and throw it away as the day warms up.

marko82

2011-11-14 16:53:46

@marko82: dont throw it away! tyvek is recyclable (#2 -- high density polyethylene)

melange396

2011-11-14 20:57:25

it also makes a great sidewall patch if you really fuck up your tire.

cburch

2011-11-14 21:07:31

*makes note to start checking the trash cans in the mail room*

stuinmccandless

2011-11-15 02:35:59