MTB shoe-covers for cold?

[wallymann]

got a pair of sidi dragons for more adventurous gravel riding (to go along with bebop pedals). it's still pretty cold up here in MI and i get cold feet easily, so i need to figure out what my shoe cover situation will be with this setup.

my normal road-shoe booties wont fit over the lugged soles of the dragons...what do y'all recommend for cold weather booties that are compatible with lugged MTB soles and still keep the wind/cold out?

https://cdn3.volusion.com/n9g24.e5uwf/v/vspfiles/photos/Sidi16-SMS-DG4-YB-2.jpg?v-cache=1571825689

[Jaybee]

Giro Proof or Endura.

Not what you asked, but shoe covers will never be as good as dedicated winter shoes like the Ragnaroks.

[Veloo]

I have a air of Garneau ones.
This is a more current model.
https://www.altitude-sports.com/products/garneau-neo-protect-iii-shoe-covers-llll-lgn-1083167?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6vmzvIjL5wIVCbSzCh0GcAVk EAQYASABEgLT9vD_BwE

[joosttx]

https://www.gorewear.com/us/en-us/gore-c3-gore-windstopper-toe-cover-100226.html

these work with the sidi drako's .

[Tandem Rider]

Duct tape on the inside does wonders. After that it's winter shoes time. :)

[charliedid]

I had some nice Enduras that were nice with a big rubber toe guard.

[rwsaunders]

Winter shoes can’t be equaled as you know, but try a pair of neoprene covers cut for SPD cleats like Veloo referenced. I have an old pair from Aerotech that are Fluoro as hell and they work for rides under 3 hours. After that they are clammy.

[veggieburger]

Yep, neoprene. Nice and stretchy, should fit nicely.

[AngryScientist]

on really cold days or for long rides, chemical toe warmers sandwiched between the shoe and shoe cover do wonders for keeping the toes comfortably warm too.

[Mark McM]

I've tried MTB shoe covers (for MTB trail riding, not gravel riding) and never found them satisfactory. For traction when off the bike, nearly the entire shoe sole has to be exposed, so a shoe cover can't wrap around the bottom of the shoe much, and is more difficult to keep in place. Also, any part of the cover that does wrap around the sole can get easily torn up by rough terrain when off the bike. Speaking of which, fabric shoe covers can easily get torn up by things you're likely to encounter on an MTB trail (thorns and branches, rock gardens, etc.). For off-road riding, you're better off with shoe/boot that doesn't need to be covered by cloth.

[wallymann]

That's where my head is. My feet are really really sensitive to cold. Any draft is absolute misery for me.


I've tried MTB shoe covers (for MTB trail riding, not gravel riding) and never found them satisfactory. For traction when off the bike, nearly the entire shoe sole has to be exposed, so a shoe cover can't wrap around the bottom of the shoe much, and is more difficult to keep in place. Also, any part of the cover that does wrap around the sole can get easily torn up by rough terrain when off the bike. Speaking of which, fabric shoe covers can easily get torn up by things you're likely to encounter on an MTB trail (thorns and branches, rock gardens, etc.). For off-road riding, you're better off with shoe/boot that doesn't need to be covered by cloth.

[trener1]

I have a pair of Pearl Izumi MTB shoe covers that work pretty well for me.

[benb]

I've had more different shoe covers than I can remember.

The last 3-4 years I gave up on road shoes and I ride MTB shoes all the time.

I have Bontrager shoes and Mavic covers. My setup works for me.

I have 45NRTH winter shoes as well. I wish I hadn't bought them. I got a great deal so whatever, but I can't seem to get used to them. I think I'd be better off putting flats on my bike and wearing a normal pair of boots. They always feel weird with the way they restrict ankle motion. They don't want to let my ankles be at the angle they like to be at when I pedal, and the cleat block is not in the same place making it difficult to keep my fit the same.

This is what I have, but the colors are a little different on the current one:

https://shop.mavic.com/en-us/crossmax-thermo-shoe-cover-d5635.html#1028=3283

Sock selection is important too.. my bootie setup is good to the mid 20s, I'm sure the 45NRTH shoes are good to a much lower temp.

It always seems relatively easy for me to find stuff that works with MTB shoes, even when I used road shoes most of the time I still used MTB shoes/pedals in the winter. It just makes more sense with ice and snow not to use road shoes that already compromise your ability to walk. The trickier part is finding the right size booties... booties don't come in many sizes.. if your shoes are on the upper end of the size range they can be constricting and/or hard to get over the shoes.

I still hate booties though.. my current way of thinking is "any ride I don't have to ride booties and heavy winter tights is a good ride." (I hate the heavy winter tights even more.)

[Jaybee]

A good pair of MTB shoe covers should have rubberized bottoms and a large enough opening that the tread on a typical XC shoe would be exposed.

Like this:

https://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb15404506/p5pb15404506.jpg

I've used these through two seasons and they still look pretty good, because all the high wear areas are rubberized. . When I still rode 3-bolt shoes through the winter, I'd trash a pair of roadie shoe covers once every season.

[roguedog]

Don't wear covers. I wear my Shimano winter boots and they are toasty but.. er.. well I live in California and really wear them for rain more than warmth! Though when one is getting rained on, warm dry feet are a gift.

[muz]

One problem with winter shoes in the rain: when water gets in (not if), it can't get out. I still remember a miserable ride that started with 4 hours of rain in near freezing temperatures. After that, I had to stop a few times to empty my shoes :mad: When stopped at a cafe, I could feel my tights draining slowly into the shoes.

[shamsixnine]

My wife and I took chance on some no name booties on Amazon and we actually love them. They feel and look like they should be much, much more expensive. I use them on Sidi Dominators and my wife uses them on some ßhimano MTB shoes.We've ridden them in pretty cold temps and they're fine. Also available in XXL. There's 2 materials available. One is more rubbery material, which my wife uses:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YFG6QBJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The one I use has more traditional material but thick and warm.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZQ3KX6T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've gone through many booties, these are the finest for sure. /Crazy for the price.https://forums.thepaceline.net/images/attach/jpg.gifhttps://forums.thepaceline.net/images/attach/jpg.gif

[Jaybee]

One problem with winter shoes in the rain: when water gets in (not if), it can't get out. I still remember a miserable ride that started with 4 hours of rain in near freezing temperatures. After that, I had to stop a few times to empty my shoes :mad: When stopped at a cafe, I could feel my tights draining slowly into the shoes.

Tights or outer pants over the shoe covers or winter shoes helps a lot.

[unterhausen]

I think the main problem with shoe covers is the hole for cleats. I have some Endura neoprene shoe covers that work with mountain shoes. They work, but not that great. If it's cold, I have winter boots

[Jaybee]

I think the main problem with shoe covers is the hole for cleats. I have some Endura neoprene shoe covers that work with mountain shoes. They work, but not that great. If it's cold, I have winter boots

This is a good point. Most summer shoes have only the thin insole between your foot and the cold-conducting metal cleat. Most winter shoes will have an extra felt layer between the insole and last, or you could make your own if it won't ruin your fit. Or just get the dedicated winter shoes.

I eventually went with the latter because I realized they could cover me from October-March in Colorado. That's half the year.

[Lewis Moon]

OK...I live in AZ, but the other morning it was 27 degrees on my ride in. I just use cut off plastic bag corners inside the shoe over my toes.
YCDHINAC.

[robt57]

I always do better with Merino Wool medium lightweight hiking socks for cold season. I use my fully vented shoes too, but with a roadie cover that is total wind/h20 stopping. Use for road/and off piste.

What constitutes cold here VS MI.. but I ride mid 30s, and if it is 45-50^ this starts to be a bit too warm for me. I opt for little toe bags to circum'vent the... errr.... vent and no covers by 50^.

Only caveat is the lugs [lugged non road shoes] do wear thru the covers with normal walking by the end of the second winter. One more year with solvent based cleaner and gorilla tape patches... Then a new set.

Recommended:

https://www.icebreaker.com/en-us/mens-socks/hike%2B-medium-crew-lava/104435.html?dwvar_104435_color=024


And if you have a bit more room in the shoe:
https://www.icebreaker.com/en-us/mens-socks/hike%2B-heavy-crew/100740.html?dwvar_100740_color=431