Witterings

I cycled through all of last winter and 70% of the time my piggies were fine but you always remember those colder days when they're really not especially if there's a bit of wind.

How effective are overshoes and do you just need toe ones like this
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giro-Ambien...over_94019.htm

Or is a fuller one that covers the whole foot that much better ....... although it seems it's mainly just my toes that seem to get really cold.

woodcraft

I've used toe covers but only use shoe covers now- they are very nice. Always wear 40˚s & below, &<50˚+wet.

Comfy & keep the road grit & much of the water at bay. Feet don't overheat much so even if it warms up it's OK.

Mostly use ones with coated fabric & thin fleece lining, but also neoprene for really cold.

Hi-Vis FTW if you can find them (get a clue vendors- shoe covers= winter= low visibility & you only make black???)

clengman

I used some like this fora few years.

Louis Garneau Neo Protect 2 Insulated Neoprene Cycling Shoe Covers, Bright Yellow, Small https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T09M2TE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kuhcCbMBRKYPF

I like them. They're warmer than no covers and help block some wind water. I still felt like i was getting a draft around the cleats on my cycling shoes so i put a layer of duck tape under the inner sole. That helped a lot.

glenncz

It depends on what your definition of winter is. I have the forefoot ones and they definitely work and are worth the money. But after about 45-60 my toes/feet get cold anyway. I got a pair of overshoes and i've worn them on a few short <30F (didn't bother taking toe neoprene off) and I'm glad I got them. I think both are a necessity for riding in cold weather.

Leebo

Guess you only need 70% of your toes? I wear winter boots in, wait for it, winter. Covers on your vented summer shoes? Hmmm. My winters tend to be 20F for a low with lots of snow. Some get " less" winter. Cheers.

Bmach

TimothyH

Toe covers are not going to do the job when it gets real cold. Full overshoes are needed below 40°F.

@Witterings, you are in England? If so then look at GripGrab. They are available through Wiggle.

https://www.gripgrab.com/collections/shoe-covers.

The Race Thermo is going to be a great all around shoe cover. The Arctic is going to be their warmest.

-Tim-

Witterings

Do agree that the high vis ones are good, there was a thread I saw about a year ago that said any high vis on your pedals is great for being seen due to the movement and recently was in the car and saw someone wearing some in the distance and you didn't half notice them in the distance so great for visibility .... has always made me wonder why there are so many black cycling jackets.

Cheers for all the input and will take a look at the links / wiggle as well but some full ones are definitely going on the Xmas list

dennis336

I'll use toe covers down to upper 30's (F), maybe a bit colder. If the temperature drops lower than that, I've got PI Barrier full shoe covers I pull on (usually just leave the toe covers on, too). I've gone into the 20's and even upper teens and my feet have been comfortable.

Marcus_Ti

They're fairly effective...just a kludge and inconvenient compared to winter rated cycling shoes/boots....the later of which can be much warmer depending on what you own.

steve0257

When you said overshoes I was thinking you meant something like these. They work jut fine on block pedals.

Repel Footwear? 5-Buckle Rubber Overshoes #7941 at Galeton

Flip Flop Rider

full shoe covers are better than toe covers, My feet get cold

I've tried everything you can think of including fully wrapping a pair of shoes in duct tape (worked ok), wrapping my toes in aluminum foil (also ok)

this product below is used inside the shoe and works great. When coupled with a full shoe cover, this is a winning combo

https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Sockee-Ne.../dp/B076BBGCWG

jgwilliams

I find them pretty effective but I have to admit that, thus far, I've tended not to cycle when the temperature gets really low. I have some Altura full foot ones, very old now, that feel as if they're made of neoprene or something similar. I tend to also wear them if I think it's going to rain as they do keep your feet nice and dry until it gets really extreme (when the water will run down inside). I'm sure proper winter boots are better but I can't afford them. This is a nice cheap alternative.

wphamilton

I have polyester shoe covers for wet and moderately cold and thicker neoprene Louis Garneau for colder weather, typically mid-20's or below..The downside is they are designed for clipless so they have gaps at the bottom, but other than that they're effective for straight up cold weather. Freezing rain and snow is a different story.

For under about 15° it's not really enough and I need to add another layer of some sort.

clengman

It sounds like you want something for cleated shoes, so these probably aren't for you, but I decided to try these: https://www.amazon.com/Shoes-Boots-C...covers+sharbay since my Louis Garneau Neos are on their last legs. Santa's bringing them for Christmas.

I don't have clipless pedals on my winter commuting bike. This kind of overshoe/boot seemed like it would be a better barrier for wet winter slop. I'll keep the neoprene shoe covers, as ratty as they are, for an extra insulating layer for when it gets really cold.

I have used my cycling shoes, with duck tape under inner sole, two layers of socks, with neoprene shoe covers down to the 10-15 F range for about an hour at a time. It worked in that I didn't lose any toes to frost bite. My feet were definitely cold though, when I got to work.

DrIsotope

Someone find my unicorn, then. I need covers that:

• fit MTB shoes
• fit size US14/EU48* -- basically, the biggest size any company makes, and needs to say it fits a minimum of a US14
• are not excessively insulated, because this is SoCal
• preferably aren't $100, because again this is SoCal (and they'll get worn 15 times a year)

Velotoze is out. Pearl Izumi barely fit my Diadoras, there's no way they'll ever fit over my Giros, which are shaped more like normal shoes. I've literally found pairs that the biggest the company makes fits up to a US11.5. Seriously?

Thought I had gotten lucky with the Endura MT500 II, only to discover they're apparently discontinued-- the internet still has some S and M covers left. Doubts as to whether the XXL every existed.

*I know I wear a US14, I can see my street shoes from where I'm sitting. One pair says US14/EU47 on the inside, and I've other pairs of bike shoes (like Shimano) that say EU48/US12.5. Wouldn't it be great if sizing was based on some sort of standardized system?

indyfabz

Yours and mine.

And yes, some sort of standardized system would be nice. I have MTB shoes for touring. My sneaker/dress shoe size is a US12. My MTB shoes have always been EU48.

canklecat

Very effective for me. Endura toe covers and Pearl Izumi full shoe covers.

My Scott Road Pro shoes are snug, no room for double thin socks or single pair of thick socks. Cuts off circulation to my toes even in warm weather.

All I can do inside the shoe was:

• Substitute Profoot Miracle insoles for the original insoles. More comfortable, much lighter, no vents so it partially blocks the sole vent.
• Aluminum foil liner between insole and bottom of shoe.
• Thin plastic baggie over my socks. The small sandwich or snack size works. Doesn't get sweaty.

That's for the road bike. I use platform pedals on the hybrids and switch to whatever shoes or boots are appropriate for the weather.

Witterings

I don't have cleats just normal pedals so something like that could I .... I wear walking boots but they're the more "fashionable" rather than really heavy ones, I have been looking for the Louis Garneau ones but they out of stock in most places over here at the moment ./... maybe everybody's had that winter rush for them .... although it hasn't really been that cold yet.

cyccommute 

roadsnakes

I have a pair from Planet Bike. Work great with temps in the lower 30`s and upper 20`s. Combined with wool socks.
Below 25 degree`s I might try adding couple of those heat packets to see how they`d work.

pdlamb

I tried toe covers, and found that wrapping a plastic grocery bag over warm wool socks was (a) warmer than toe covers, and (b) sufficient down to about 20F. Below that, full shoe covers are the way to go. They've kept my feet warm down to 7F for the 45 minute commute.

Since <20F describes no more than 5-10 of my commuting days a year, I've stuck with shoe covers. If I lived 100 miles north, I'd buy winter shoes. But for the usage I'd get out of them, I can't justify the price.

woodcraft

Aero Tech might do the trick- large sizes & run big as well, according to reviews.

Witterings

I do switch between summer shoes and the boots which are larger in the winter and can easily fit decent wool socks under there, I find these are “OK” in the cold if it’s still but it’s the minute it gets windy they freeze.

I do agree with the comments proper winter shoes are probably the way to go but they’re expensive for a decent pair and I’ve kind of broken the piggy bank recently with a new bike that’s combined b’day / xmas pressie from everyone … if I now spent another £200/250 on a pair of shoes I think the Mrs would remove parts of my anatomy when I was asleep that I’d rather hang onto

DrIsotope

About thirty bucks with the first-time order coupon, I'm giving it a try. They also had some full-finger windproof gloves that claim to be XXXL, I'm taking a chance on those as well. Here's hoping.