Tycho Brahe 

Recently upgraded my pedals, and since I was putting on new cleats, I opted to get some new shoes as well.

Got a pair of decent Shimano shoes (too narrow, but that's the subject of another thread). Nicely ventilated, but that doesn't help much in winter! After a couple of weeks of freezing toes, it is time to explore options. Unfortunately, the shoes are too narrow for thick socks, but they still need to be broken in.

Any recommendations for inexpensive shoe covers? Winter here is not too cold or long, so I am not looking to invest in pricey covers. Minimum riding temperate would be around 50F. Haven't had a chance to shop locally (stores close early and I forgot this weekend).

EDIT: I should add that I am not crazy about gear covered in logos. Many of the shoe covers I saw online are gaudy!

caloso

Pearl Izumi.

lolguy

x2 on the Pearl Izumi toe covers. If you were riding colder they make a nice product that covers the entire shoe to above your ankle, too.

Brian Ratliff

Defeet oversocks!

Tycho Brahe 

Wore two pairs of socks during my ride today. Much better, but still cold. Amazing how much better leather is at keeping feet warm.

I will be driving by a Pearl Izumi store this coming weekend. I guess I will stop by. My issue is only with my toes.

According to their website: "... and add a distinct flair to your kit." Am I the only one that doesn't looking branding all over my gear? If you want me to advertise your company, you should be paying me!

antmeeks

Wrap your feet in plastic bags.

Seriously.

I heard it works.

redoak

place some Grabber toe warmers over your toes.
solved

CO_rider

Same thing happened to me,,, i saw these

https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/cycling-shoe-covers.html

P,

RoadMike

I have some Endura neoprene shoe covers for my Bontrager RXL's, I think they cost me around $45 if I remember correctly. they're all black with "endura" written on the outside of each toe in silver but it's small and understated. Has kept my feet pretty warm in conjunction with good winter wool socks down to 16 F.

ivan_yulaev

Tape over the vent hole on the bottom. It's not night and day but it keeps my feet from going numb in the 40-degree mornings.

Vulk

plastic food film

Digitalfiend

Bontrager makes a cheap Neoprene toe cover. Seems like you just need to block some of the wind, these will work:

$14.99
https://bontrager.com/model/07873

Jed19

If just your toes are getting cold, then you really do not need a full shoe cover. A toe cover is good enough, and you can probably get by with a good pair of wool socks. I have toe covers, but rarely use them. Defeet aerator wool socks are really amazing stuff. I was recently caught in a cold downpour, and while my Shimano shoes were water-logged, I mean literally filled with water (water coming in from around my ankles and the bottom vent holes), my feet was the only part of my whole body that stayed warm (kinda strange feeling, but was I grateful). I am now a believer in light, non-bulky merino wool socks and gloves.

StanSeven

If you feet are cold in 50 degrees, your shoes may be too tight. It may be lack of blood flow. Most people don't need more than shoes until the temps are in the low-mid 40s.

flashpoint145

Toe covers look so dumb.

Just go full on shoe cover.

renton

+1

bianchi10

I use a specialized toe cover. for those days 45 degrees and below I will use the toe covers as well as slip over my specialized squadra shoe cover. They are very thin, but protect against the wind. They stretch a lot so I am able to slip them over my toe cover without any issues. The toe cover adds for that little bit of warmth around my toes.

Beaker

Pretty much any of the neoprene toe covers should do the job. My descente covers work fine down to the low 40's before I start thinking about fully toting booties on.

Big Lebowski

This was my first winter of commuting, so I went through several combinations to try to keep my feet warm. My shoes are Specialized Tahoe (btw - they are nice and wide) and they are designed to be ventilated. I've been riding 22 miles in the upper teens and this is my combination:

• Well-fitting shoes for my wide feet (Specialized Tahoes)
• Quality wool socks (Swiftwick)
• Toastie Toe foot warmers
• Perl iZumi toe covers (only when it is below 30)

The Toastie Toes were the game-changer for me. I bought a box of them on amazon and I stick a pair on the bottom of my socks. Do not get the "Little Hotties". They do not work nearly as well.

woodcraft

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...5#ReviewHeader

I've pretty much left these on the shoes since November. Comfy!

But if your shoes are too tight, probably won't help.

Smiziley

Wear a hat underneath your helmet if you don't already.

I was having issues with toes freezing, taped over the hole in the shoes, have Pearl Izumi booties, and 2 layers of socks. After I started wearing a cycling cap under the helmet, no more freezing toes. Darndest thing.

TrojanHorse

The other nice thing about toe covers (Pearl Izumi is what I have) is that they keep water & dirt off your shoes when you're riding in sloppy weather. Mine pretty much stay on for our entire rainy season (all 4 days of is)

Tycho Brahe 

I am already doing that. I have duct tape on the vent hole and over part of the top.

I am not worried about rain. During the 4 days it rains here, I just don't ride!

OK, this statement makes sense. Like I originally said, I find these shoes very narrow. I did not realize it at first. It was only during my first ride where I started to feel discomfort. Thought it was poor cleat placement. I have no more pain issues, so I assumed the shoes were finally broken in. Might have to buy new shoes.

gundom66

OP - you're from Monterey? Closest PI is the outlet in Gilroy. Don't you have Sports Authority or an LBS that carries PI's?

cashmonee

I have these here in Fresno and they work great for me. We get colder here (I have used them in the mid-30s), so I imagine they would do the trick. If you are going in the direction of Gilroy, the Pearl iZumi outlet is worth a look too.