what to look for in shoe covers
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
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?
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?
#2
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,506
Likes: 4,579
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
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 https://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:
https://www.gemplers.com/product/1341...a-Sole-Outsole
Tingley Mens 1400 Pull-on Boot https://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:
https://www.gemplers.com/product/1341...a-Sole-Outsole
Last edited by rumrunn6; 09-27-13 at 11:24 AM.
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: RI
Bikes: '12 Felt F75X, '11 Scott CX Team, '08 Specialized Singlecross
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.
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.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,144
Likes: 4
From: cherry hill, nj
#7
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 652
Likes: 11
From: Zion
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? https://www.capocycling.com/apparel/b...ura-shoe-cover
And what about the thinnest of overshoes over top of my current set-up? https://www.giro.com/us_en/ultralight...hoe-cover.html
Thanks and stay warm out there!
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? https://www.capocycling.com/apparel/b...ura-shoe-cover
And what about the thinnest of overshoes over top of my current set-up? https://www.giro.com/us_en/ultralight...hoe-cover.html
Thanks and stay warm out there!
__________________
2017 Scott Addict SL w/Quarq; daily driver (sub-5.8kg)
2012 Scott Scale 29er Pro; woefully under-used (8.9kg)
2009 Scott Addict R1 w/PowerTap; retired (5.6-5.9kg)
2017 Scott Addict SL w/Quarq; daily driver (sub-5.8kg)
2012 Scott Scale 29er Pro; woefully under-used (8.9kg)
2009 Scott Addict R1 w/PowerTap; retired (5.6-5.9kg)
Last edited by Johnny Rad; 11-19-13 at 04:22 PM.
#8
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.






