BROOKLINEBIKER

Hi folks,
I'm seeking bike shoe covers for winter bike commuting to keep the cold and rain out. I wear Specialized Recon 2.0 mountain bike shoes and use Speedplay Syzr pedals with cleats. I've tried the Pearl Izumi toe covers and Gore bike booties but both seem prone to ripping. Any recommendations?

parkbrav

Per the suggestion of another member here, I got the "Dry-Guy" boot covers for cross country skiing.

In the one or two times I needed to wear them last winter, they worked great. They slip on and off with no tearing and they kept my feet dry.

dabac

I’ve given up covers for commuting. I’m too lazy to pull them off at dismount, and even the short walk from bike rack to dressing room chews them up.

djb

I use and recommend the looser and tougher ones sold at mec in the past, have used the same pair for maybe 15 years. Loose means I can put insulation fleece under for warmth.

Archwhorides 

For wet weather above freezing I've had good experience with Velotoze, they are stretch neoprene, close to water proof, and at $15+/- the price can't be beat.

After a couple months, the cover over the ankle bone wore from friction and tore, so I used a standard tire vulcanization patch kit for the repair, and it's good as new.

Carbonfiberboy 

BBB neoprene booties from Wiggle are the best I've ever used. Thing is, no bootie will keep your feet dry for long, because water runs down your legs right into your shoes. The way to keep your feet dry, whatever booties or boots you use is to put dry suit replacement leg seals on your bare leg above your socks and booties, so that they come down over the tops of said booties. This works perfectly for many hours of steady rain. You can find them online or in dive shops.

Dino_Sore

Which Gore shoe covers did you try? I have the C5 Windstopper Overshoe for road bike use and they have held up pretty well for me. But, expensive.

If you are already using mtb shoes, you might consider a dedicated winter mtb boot combined with a waterproof sock. Sealskinz makes waterproof mtb socks that I wear in temperatures down to single digits (F). I also have a Gore waterproof outer sock that I wear over a wool or synthetic hiking sock. Either option is warm and completely keeps out water. As someone else mentioned, the water will eventually find its way around shoe covers.

_ForceD_

I just got a pair of the new Velotoze for Xmas. Can’t wait to use them. They aren’t the neoprene style, but more like the latex swim cap material...just a bit thicker. Looks like they might work well for warmth too. Regarding protecting from wetness...I don’t mind feet getting wet so much...it’s more the dirt and grit from the road that gets all over the shoes that bugs me. These Velotoze will likely cause wetness from the inside out since they clearly don’t breathe. But, they’ll be easy to clean off and the grit won’t get on the shoes and socks.

Dan

wolfchild

Use proper winter boots and you won't need any shoe covers.

Homebrew01

This.
I bought Northwave winter shoes a few years ago. No more fussing with neoprene & cold toes. I bought slightly big, for extra room for thicker socks.

djb

While my rain booties are great for cool riding, plus adding in the fleece for insulation, winter riding in Canada has been so much more comfortable and warm just using flat pedals and my winter boots. Easier too for hike a bike and jumping off and running if need be.

veloz

I have Gore Windstoppers that are insulated with fleece, still using after nearly 10 years. Salt corroded the zipper sliders off several times and I replaced. Other than that, they've held up fine. They breathe well and keep my feet warm and dry.