Shoe toe covers - what a great thing
11-10-21, 10:23 AM
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Grupetto Bob
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Shoe toe covers - what a great thing
Discovered quite by accident a product that has no doubt been around for ages but I didn’t know about. Rather than putting on full booties for chilly days or with damp pavement, just quickly put on toe covers without all the hassle. I found these well made little beauties on AliExpress for a whopping $4 and change. Of course they are no substitute for really cold weather or rain, but on cool days they are just the thing.
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11-10-21, 11:07 AM
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Yup! They don't cover a wide range of temperatures but they certainly have their niche in the arsenal of bike clothing!
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11-10-21, 12:23 PM
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11-10-21, 01:12 PM
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Agreed. They're just about all I need to get from Nov. to March in NorCal.
11-10-21, 01:33 PM
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They can make a big difference. AND they take little room in your pocket when it warms up during your ride. I've been using plastic sandwich bags over my socks for my morning commutes lately. for the same benefit. I think it is mostly the wind that chills my toes.
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11-10-21, 01:41 PM
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Toe covers are right up there with a vest/gilet in terms of great bang for the.... gram? 
Both have outsized utility for such little weight/volume.
I will say, though, that I think that a neck gaiter is my champion of cool weather riding accessories.
Both have outsized utility for such little weight/volume. I will say, though, that I think that a neck gaiter is my champion of cool weather riding accessories.
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11-10-21, 01:50 PM
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Can you post a link for the ones you got on Alibaba?
11-10-21, 02:36 PM
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Toe Covers are great.. and with laceup shoes I just leave them on the shoes for the season -- no need to remove to adjust any boas etc underneath.
Just picked up another pair -- hard to find XL sizes but Pactimo FYI has a pretty cheap sale pair at the moment.
Just picked up another pair -- hard to find XL sizes but Pactimo FYI has a pretty cheap sale pair at the moment.
11-10-21, 03:11 PM
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Neck gaiters make great hats when it's cool but not freezing, you can leave an opening to vent a little. Also work as a stand in mask if you need something in a store. Really under appreciated, versatile thing.
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11-10-21, 07:45 PM
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11-11-21, 02:58 AM
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I just bought some proper winter shoes but toe covers and wool socks are fine. When it gets close to freezing I would wear two layers of wool socks, I have some shorter ankle length ones I would wear under my long ones.
11-11-21, 06:26 AM
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I don't understand the "hassle" point about booties, I find putting on booties no more of a hassle than putting on toe covers. There are different kinds of booties, of course, so probably yours are more of a hassle than the ones I use.
But, yes, toe covers are great for covering the "decidedly cool to somewhat cold" gap when having no protection leads to cold toes but putting on full (3 mm neoprene) booties is overkill. They are one of my favorite bits of cool-to-cold weather gear, that allow a lot of flexibility in clothing to minimize discomfort over a wide range of conditions. Thin wool socks, cycling shoes, toe covers, booties and chemical handwarmers (on top of toe of cycling shoe, under bootie) for me have covered all cycling conditions from 100+ °F to about 5 °F.
But, yes, toe covers are great for covering the "decidedly cool to somewhat cold" gap when having no protection leads to cold toes but putting on full (3 mm neoprene) booties is overkill. They are one of my favorite bits of cool-to-cold weather gear, that allow a lot of flexibility in clothing to minimize discomfort over a wide range of conditions. Thin wool socks, cycling shoes, toe covers, booties and chemical handwarmers (on top of toe of cycling shoe, under bootie) for me have covered all cycling conditions from 100+ °F to about 5 °F.
11-11-21, 06:34 AM
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11-11-21, 08:21 AM
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In coastal southern California, my feet get way too hot with full booties. So if I need some extra warmth I almost always use toe covers.
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11-11-21, 10:48 AM
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