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.
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
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.
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).
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.
I saw a rider that covered his shoes with a plastic shopping bag!
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.
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.
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?
I have an Alpaca sweater and it is WAY too warm! Maybe socks would be great?
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.
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.
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
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.
Good thinking! I’d thought of doing something similar.
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.