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Do Toe Covers Really Work?

QUESTION: I’m a beginning roadie although I have been a marathon runner for many years. I think I’ve done everything right in making the switch. I went to a reputable shop, got a good bike fit and bought clothes and accessories. But one item that some cyclists wear has me stumped. Do “toe covers” (for lack of a better term) actually keep feet warm? — Mark W.

RBR REPLIES: “Toe covers” is the right term for these useful items of cool-weather clothing.

They are generally made of neoprene or heavy fabric, fitting snugly over the front of cycling shoes. A cutout for the cleat helps hold them in place. Most models extend to about the middle of the instep. Pretty well all the major clothing companies offer a number of different versions.

Toe covers aren’t as warm as booties that cover the whole foot and ankle, but they do a remarkably good job of keeping feet cozy in temperatures down to around 40F degrees, depending on your own particular needs for toe and foot warmth.

Another plus: They are easy to carry in a jersey pocket, making them handy for rides that begin in cool temperatures but warm up later in the day (or start warm and get chilly).

Tip! Walking shreds the bottom of toe covers. Sew on a strip of nylon webbing to protect this vulnerable area and triple their life. Or simply take them off if you have to walk any distance. It’s the wind from riding that cools feet fast, so it won’t matter when you’re “hoofing” it.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. David Le Fevre says

    January 12, 2023 at 5:58 am

    As someone who suffers from cold feet, I’ve found toe covers surprisingly good when the temperature is not-quite-yet-cold-enough-for-overshoes.

    One caveat. They’re excellent with three-bolt road cleats, since the cleats hold them in position. However, with SPD cleats there’s nothing to stop the toe covers from coming off each time that I unclip. I’m thinking of fitting a tiny hook to the shoe sole a centimetre or two behind the cleat

    Reply
  2. Barry says

    January 12, 2023 at 7:00 am

    I agree with David L., also find them fine for colder (not frigid) weather. Be sure toe covers cover the vents on the shoe’s soles. I returned a pair because they did not, even though they were sized correctly and the same manufacturer as the shoe.

    Reply
  3. Walt says

    January 12, 2023 at 8:21 am

    Further to Barry’s comment above, as the weather cools in the fall, I place a small piece of electrical tape over the vent holes on the bottom of my bike shoes (and try to remember to remove them in the spring).

    Reply
  4. Judi A Schwandt says

    January 12, 2023 at 9:48 am

    I have also placed a thin footbed in my bike shoes that seem to help as well as toe covers. Some people will use baggies or newspapers inside their shoes as well as applying antiperspirant to the feet. Never tried that so I don’t know if it works.

    Reply
  5. jim says

    January 12, 2023 at 10:02 am

    I saw a rider that covered his shoes with a plastic shopping bag!

    Reply
  6. Bob says

    January 12, 2023 at 10:13 am

    My caveat. I waterproof sprayed my shoes which helped for light rain. It got cold and I thought I’d duct tape my shoes. Haa, nothing sticks to silicone. Luckily I now winter in S Florida and it’s seldom cold enough to worry.

    Reply
  7. Pat says

    January 12, 2023 at 10:15 am

    Toe covers sorta, kinda keep my feet a little warmer until I shred them.

    Plastic shopping bags are my go-to solution. Cut off the handles, cut the bag in half, wrap around my wool socks, and my feet stay warm.

    Reply
  8. Mitchell Hull says

    January 12, 2023 at 11:21 am

    I always carry a couple of fold-lock sandwich bags. They weigh maybe a gram and cram in anywhere. If my feet get cold, I take off my shoes and put the baggies over my socks, over my toes. Then put the shoes back on. This works better for me than over the shoe toe covers. They also take up no room in your shoe so don’t pinch your toes.

    This even works when walking outside in cold weather in my summer weight walking shoes.

    Pure wool socks also make a big difference.

    Has any one tried Alpaca socks? Are they warmer than merion?

    Reply
    • Judi A Schwandt says

      January 12, 2023 at 6:04 pm

      I have an Alpaca sweater and it is WAY too warm! Maybe socks would be great?

      Reply
  9. Casey K says

    January 12, 2023 at 11:37 am

    I love these for Minnesota riding during changes of seasons. Sometimes when it is too cold for even booties alone I will add the toe covers beneath the booties. I don’t find the toe covers too warm if it warms up during a ride, so I usually leave them on.

    Reply
  10. David Le Fevre says

    January 12, 2023 at 3:06 pm

    Decades ago, prior to the invention of overshoes, I’d wear a thick sock, then a thin polythene bag, then a thin sock.

    Nowadays I sometimes wear toe covers under overshoes (which has already been suggested), or simply two pairs of overshoes.

    A thin polythene bag over the shoe before putting on the overshoe has two purposes – makes it easier to fit a tight overshoe, and adds a layer of waterproofing.

    Reply
  11. Tracy says

    January 12, 2023 at 4:27 pm

    Toe covers are great! A trick I’ve used for years is to put adhesive toe-warmers (link below) on top of my shoes (not in them) and then use the toe covers. This trick can be used with full shoe covers as well and will make a big difference!

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ICW0ME

    Reply
  12. Leo Hartung says

    January 13, 2023 at 7:00 pm

    I sometimes wear the toe covers over my SPD cleats. I sewed a 1″ piece of elastic across the back which holds them in place. The elastic sits nice on the back of my shoe.

    Reply
    • Dave Le Fevre says

      January 14, 2023 at 2:11 am

      Good thinking! I’d thought of doing something similar.

      Reply
  13. Matt says

    January 17, 2023 at 12:51 am

    Toe covers do work well in my experience. To protect them against shredding caused by walking I wrap duct tape around the part of the cover that fits behind the cleats. Works great and makes pulling the covers on and off easier.

    Reply

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