Layered socks and insulated combat boots.

poly sock liner, chemical toes warmers taped to top of toes then cover all with thin thermal sock, tight weave wool if you have them

I ride when the temps is below 32f and I have found that wool socks layered with a pair of fleece socks and all leather sneakers, keep my toes warm.

Yeah, my shoes are MTB style, so they are vented. I'll try the toe covers, but I might switch to non-cycling leather shoes when it is cold.

You can still get them from ski shops but they tend to be marketed as downhill or snowboarding socks. :)

I made my own DIY Toe Covers from cutting the foot portion off of an old pair of thick wool socks and then cutting a slice in the bottom for the SPD cleats. Even today in 2C weather and light rain (partly driven by 20km/h wind or about 40km/h into a headwind), the outside of the socks were wet but my shoes were dry inside the socks and my feet were comfortable and dry.

My shoes are too closely fitting to fit more than a slim to medium thick wool sock inside so an outside shoe cover is better, also, the outside covers block the shoe vents from wind and rain.

Since I wear super unsafe closed-cell resin "plastic" shoes almost exclusively, for my cry-baby 7 kilometre commute, I'll wear super unsafe lined, closed-cell resin shoes to -10C and a pair of socks. After that, it's Sorel Glacier boot time. And a pair of socks.

I don't try to wear summer shoes in the winter and complain about cold toes. For me in New England, winter boots and flat pedals work for me.

I use MEC shoe covers when temps start to go below freezing. I'll add a thinsulate liner (with bottom cut out for the cleat) scavenged from an old pair of sorel-type pac boots when the temps get into the low 20s. Once it hits the teens or lower I'll add a chemical warmer to the mix. I can continue using my SPD mt. bike shoes and pedals throughout the whole evolution.

Impressive. Does the wool/silk combination make the sock super delicate?

As a post script to this I'll also add that the reason I don't just switch to boots and be done with it is that I need to shed some of the layers on my ride home. The temp diff. early morning vs. afternoon is easily 10+ degrees, but even more of a factor is the route.http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=281426Right to left is the a.m. ride to work, L to R is the p.m. ride home.

I ordered some of the Planet Bike Dasher toe covers on Wednesday, looking forward to trying them when they arrive next week. I like that they have a strap that hooks all the way around the heel, are generously sized to cover a lot of the shoes (and mesh venting), and supposedly a thick, sturdy bottom that will help them last a while. If they're as good as the PB Borealis gloves I received yesterday and used this morning, I'll be very happy.

I have the same route profile, and it is a total pain. Same deal with the temp differentials between morning and afternoon - often as much as 20°F. Riding "harder" in the morning only increases wind chill.

Wool socks and toe covers (Pearl Izumi Calientoes) keep my feet warm all fall, winter and spring long. It's doesn't get too cold in NC, but that combination has been good in temperatures down to the mid-teens for me. For socks, I use DeFeet Wooly Boolies, and they're great. I tried full shoe covers in the past but found that they weren't any warmer than toe covers and a lot more hassle to put on and take off.

Check out Gator neoprene toe tip covers, http://www.gatorgear.biz/tiptoes.html. they're unlike other toe covers in that they go in the shoe instead of on it. I have a circulation malady in my feet and these are brilliant (plus all the other recommendations of wool socks,shoe covers, etc)

I have neoprene toe covers but they don't fit over my commuting Asics shoes, they're made for narrow cycling shoes and cleats. I just use either heavy wool or heavy synthetic socks, but as I said to my wife "I made it to the office, but I think I left my toes at home as they don't seem to be on my feet". And it wasn't that cold yet.

Merrino wool socks. I use mid weight in layers. I find 2 are usually enough.

Chemical toe warmers.

As a cheap alternative to the toe covers, one can cut the zip lock off a sandwhich baggie which stops the wind. I get 3-4 rides per set.

Too tight of a shoe can restrict your blood flow. To help alleviate this you can remove the sole insert from the shoe. However, this does add some insulating value from the metal cleat on the shoe. I don't have an issue with it but YMMV.

If you have vented MTB shoes, the main problem is all the air flying right through the toe box, and no amount of sock technology will help. You have to stop the breeze. I found if you don't care about looks, a strip of duct tape over the toes + wool socks works great.

Quit crying about being cold and grow a pair. Be like the Norwegians: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkXy83WlLY4

I do some rigorous exorcises before I leave. If my chest area feels hot with a jacket on then the rest of my body will stay warm.

I'm half Norwegian and still I say to this: Good Lord.

I wear Adidas Nordic Walking shoes with Gore-Tex XCR.

My feet stay toasty under all conditions.

I tried several different things until finally just biting the bullet and bought some winter cycling boots - no more problems.

If you're going to cycle a lot in cold weather, it's worth it to get a pair of shoes dedicated to cold weather cycling. They should be a size bigger, maybe even more, to accomodate thick socks or two or three pairs of socks.

I'm going to try those Planet Bike covers. I'd love to make my own, but I have too many projects already.

On rides below 35 I use plastic bags over wool socks in my spd mesh bike shoes...below 25 I switch to platform pedals with my bike shoes inside NEOS overshoes...very effective at keep my toes warm. Good Luck.