what to look for in shoe covers
 

I recently bought a nice pair of shoe covers for cold (not cool) weather cycling. Heavy weight neoprene with opening on soles for spd or atac type cleats. Even though I have XL covers, I can't use them with mtb shoes because of the lugged soles. No problem I just put mtb cleats and pontoons on road shoes that had both 2 and 3 hole mounting systems.

Before I purchased the shoes, I looked in a bike shop and found that I really wasn't crazy about the shoe covers because they were largely open on the bottom with perhaps just a strap across the bottom. Now I realize that perhaps that might have been exactly what I needed for lugged soles.

What design features should I be looking for in covers to use with lugged soles?

if I take it that you are going with platform pedals then you might consider a pull on type boot. what I used doesn't provide thermal protection, just rain/sleet etc. to keep the feet warm I used other techniques such as bigger shoes, shoe liner, wool socks and chemical toe warmers, all under neath these
Tingley Mens 1400 Pull-on Boot http://www.amazon.com/10-Work-Boot-O...ver+rain+boots


they worked great I just left my shoes tied and inside them so I would just slide my foot into my shoe down inside this boot, a little tricky but waterproof and tall enough to keep the water out. rain pants or snow pants down over the tops

just saw these in another thread in this section:
http://www.gemplers.com/product/1341...a-Sole-Outsole

Ive got a pair of PI neoprene shoe covers , killer , but I dont wear Cycling gear shoes much any more

want them? About to take them to the LBS and use their Ebay account to sell them.

The best pair I ever owned where the old Performance Brand booties. They were a heavy weight neoprene that was lined with fleece. They had a solid sole that you had to cut to fit your cleats. Those were the best; warm, easy on/off, and very durable.

They finally gave up the ghost last year. I tried to find something simliar, but struck out. I ended up with another pair of neoprene booties made by Specialized, but they are unlined and do not have a solid sole. They are not even remotely as warm or durable as my old ones.

With that said, I would say to get the thickest neoprene booties you can find with the most durable material on the sole for the lowest price. I prefer booties that utilize a zipper. I have had good luck with the zippers and I find them to be much easier to use than any other option.

These work wonders

http://www.showerspass.com/catalog/a...ub-shoe-covers

those look sweet. how is the sizing with them?

I'm a fair weather winter roadie looking for some advice on shoe covers. By fair weather, I mean dry and no cooler than 39F - that's where I draw my line in the snow err sand.

When it gets down to 39F, I put PI toe covers on my cycling shoes and put a ziploc baggie over my socks. It works for awhile and almost long enough, but my toes eventually get cold bringing an end to the fun.

Will knit shoe covers (aka big over socks) gain me anything if I use them with my current set-up? http://www.capocycling.com/apparel/b...ura-shoe-cover

And what about the thinnest of overshoes over top of my current set-up? http://www.giro.com/us_en/ultralight...hoe-cover.html

Thanks and stay warm out there!

I've got some LG neoprene shoe covers that I'm happy with. They go over my MTB lugs just fine covering the entire toe region and having a wide strap across the underside of the arch. The cleat area and heel tread are exposed. From the sole up to lower calf is completely covered in neoprene with a good, air tight velcro closure on the side. They even work with my light hiking shoes. Over a good shoe with a heavy wool sock I'm good to somewhere below freezing for 30+ mile rides. When it finally gets too cold for the shoe covers, I switch to insulated, water/windproof winter hiking boots and ride the flat side of my pedals. I don't do a lot of sprints or hill climbs at around zero F so it doesn't bother me not to be clipped in.