bonsai171

With the winter coming, I need to replace some old shoe covers. Need some suggestions for really warm ones, maybe under 60 bucks. The temps get into the 20's and 30's here in GA, so I need ones that will be warm enough for that, and work with both road and SPD shoes.

Suggestions?

Dave

datlas 

You want booties. These are typically neoprene on the outside and fleece linings on the inside. Most major manufacturers of bike clothing/accessories make them. Plain "shoe covers" that don't have a lining are ok around freezing to 40F but for colder temps you want booties. They typically have a cutout that will work with all types of cleats.

Iride01 

Don't most work with both SPD and SPD-SL cleats or look-a-likes? The bigger thing I've found is that mountain bike shoes I've had in the past are wider externally than the typical road bike shoe. I think just because the tread on them was wider to give more balance for walking.

So if you have different types of shoes, take note if their external dimensions are bigger or not. And then if you want one pair for both, size to the biggest set of shoes.

My new SPD shoes are more typical outside dimensions to SPD-SL type shoes.

I still use the Pearl Izumi booties I bought many years ago. However I don't usually ride in 20°F temps. I know, I'm a wuss for not being more determined to ride.

Sy Reene

I'd look thru the offerings from GripGrab
Decent amount of options to choose from
https://www.gripgrab.com/collections/shoe-covers

WhyFi

I check with my LBS to see what they've got in stock. I'm generally looking for neoprene and a heavy-duty (lookin') zipper. If I get three winters out of them, I'm pretty happy. Current booties are from Endura (Road II, I think) and I think that the previous were Castelli. Both fine down to 20° with good socks.

bonsai171

I'm not aware of any difference with shoe covers being road or SPD specific, though I have seen some products advertised as only for road, so it makes you wonder. Maybe the material is more delicate?

Dave

bonsai171

Are these similar to what you have?
Endura

$33 is a pretty good deal if shipping isn't too much. From reading the reviews they run small? What size did you get?

Dave

Steve B.

Ive used now discontinued Performance brand XXL neoprene booties for a long time, they've held up well. The XXL fits over my size 46 mt. bike shoes. Good for temps in the 20's (F). Its going to be hit and miss as to what will fit over bulky mt. bike shoes if thats what you need to do.

WhyFi

I have the version II. I have XL - they fit nice and snug over my size 45 road shoes. They are a great big pain in the ass to get over my size 45 MTB shoes, but they do go over 'em.

bonsai171

My road shoes are 44.5, and SPD shoes are 45. Sounds like I should go with the XL also? I'm thinking to size up a little since my size is right on the edge of their specs, plus I want to run these with SPD shoes too (and not have to return product overseas).

Think that's a plan?

Dave

rm -rf

Windblocking cloth booties aren't very durable with my SPD mountain bike shoes. The toes and portions over the soles get ripped up, even on road riding. Road cleats project farther out and help protect the bottoms.

I got some Louis Garneau cloth booties that don't have a full length zipper or velcro at the back. These are sturdier, I suppose. But they are extremely annoying to put on:

1. remove the bike shoes. The bootie opening is way too small to pull on over my shoes.
2. pull on the booties up past my ankles.
3. put on shoes.
4. pull booties down while pulling the toe box outward, over the shoe.
5. pull down the heel.
6. secure the velcro across the bottom of the instep.
7. close the small adjuster velcro at the top of the bootie.

Like this diagram from GripGrab -- they call these "collarless"



~~~~
My older, ripped up and repaired booties just slide on the shoe, zip up the back, go ride. Fast and easy. (the zippers never failed, it was the retaining elastic and fabric at the heel, now with heavy duty sewing store elastic sewed on.

WhyFi

Yeah, I would think you're good - my MTB shoes are Shimano jobbers that are kind of casual-looking and definitely on the chunky side.

sw20

I have these and they kept my feet warm throughout the UK winter, I sized up and they are still a PITA to put on and take off, in heavy rain my feet got wet but i suppose they're not really designed for that!

Lazyass

This winter I'm finally doing what I've been telling myself for years to do and get some winter shoes. I run spd pedals on my vintage bikes (and mtb) and road pedals on my modern road bikes. I'm going to buy some Lake MXZ 176's probably today and just run the spd pedals on all my bikes this winter. They'll also be good for rain rides. If I wasn't cheap I'd buy the road version as well but I'm tired of messing around with booties, toe covers and everything else.

bonsai171

Very cool, I just ordered them. Only $10 for shipping, so not bad at all.

Dave

Seattle Forrest

I always overheat after a while in shoe covers. I've tried a few different ones and ultimately gave up on the concept. They're great until a sustained effort and then I just can't dump enough heat.

FireWaterBoy

I find the the neoprene toe covers to be amazing on a chilly autumn ride. No overheating!

JohnJ80

I live and ride in Minnesota and I ride all the way through the winter as long as it's above -5F.

For cold weather, the only thing I've found so far that keeps my feet warm in temps in the 20's and 30's is winter specific footwear. Specifically, I have Northwave shoes that are insulated. Those work pretty well and if they do get cold then I add neoprene toe warms to the front. The best toe warmers come from Spatzwear.

But keeping your feet warm really relies on a whole body layering strategy. First off, you have to keep your core warm, you have to keep your legs warm, and then you start worrying about your feet. If you start off chilled, and if your legs are cold then you wind up fighting a losing battle keeping the blood warm that gets to your feet. If you don't do that, it really won't matter what shoe covers you have or insulated shoes for that matter.

The warmest shoe covers I have used and seen are the (pick your favorites) from Spatzwear. These go up to just below your knee and specifically are aimed at keeping the pipes that feed your feet warm. They're easy to put on and they work fine with either mtb or road shoes. The other ones are the insulated ones from Pearl Izumi. They're actually quilted with insulation inside. The best toe warmers I have ever used are from Spatzwear and they come all the way up to almost the top of your shoe where most others only come up about half way. They really work well.

Sock choice is key. You don't need thick socks but you do need socks that wick well and have some wool content instead of pure synthetic. For this I use the Pursuit socks from Swiftwick. They are thin enough that they work very well in cycling shoes and they have high Merino wool content.

All that said, I think you're going to have a hard time keeping your feet truly warm for $60.

J.