Cold Weather Shoe Covers/Booties!

[Mario]

hate to burst your bubble but old man winter isn't far off, I bought the studded tires last year (highly recommend:cool: ) but finally upgraded to clipless pedals this year so I need some warm shoe covers. What booties/shoe covers are going to keep me toesies warmest in the winter??

[mtnbykr]

What booties/shoe covers are going to keep me toesies warmest in the winter??

lake winter boots.

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If you can't afford the Lake boots, and want to go with a neoprene booty, Performance has them for $19.99 right now. I used them last Winter and had no complaints. Wool socks under my crappy shoes under the Performance booties, and my feet stayed warm.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17558&subcategory_ID=1344

I also remember a post by stoneage last Winter about a budget way to make your own booties.

[danger!]

']
I also remember a post by stoneage last Winter about a budget way to make your own booties.

Duct tape? :D

[MisterClaw]

']If you can't afford the Lake boots, and want to go with a neoprene booty, Performance has them for $19.99 right now. I used them last Winter and had no complaints. Wool socks under my crappy shoes under the Performance booties, and my feet stayed warm.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17558&subcategory_ID=1344

I also remember a post by stoneage last Winter about a budget way to make your own booties.

You can also try oversized wool/fleece socks OVER the shoes under the neoprene booties. That's good for about -5F for me. A bit of a hack, but it works.

[bigwheel]

']If you can't afford the Lake boots, and want to go with a neoprene booty, Performance has them for $19.99 right now. I used them last Winter and had no complaints. Wool socks under my crappy shoes under the Performance booties, and my feet stayed warm.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17558&subcategory_ID=1344

I also remember a post by stoneage last Winter about a budget way to make your own booties.

I second the vote for Performance booties. Unfortunately, they are only available in size 9, which equates to a size-7 shoe.

[gopherhockey]

old man winter isn't far off,

Amen to that! :banana: :banana: ;)

I think a lot of it depends on how your feet do in the cold weather. I have ridden with a pair of Gaerne Polar boots for a while and I still have to use a pair of grabber toe warmers... then again I start using toe warmers when it hits about 50 degrees.

A few of the guys I ride with (Bob/Ted) are amazing as they can go with simple bootie covers for their regular mtb shoes and no toe warmers.

If I were in the market right now I'd go with the Lakes... I believe its the MXZ301.

For half the price of the Lakes you can still get a few sizes of the Gaerne Polar shoes on eBay (http://search.stores.ebay.com/polar-gaerne_W0QQfromZR8QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsbrexpZWD1SQQs ifZ1QQsofpZ4QQssPageNameZWD1S). They work for mtb and road.

[hockeynut]

I'm generally warm with whatever if I'm moving, so last year I was good down to -5 or -10 with decent wool socks under regular shoes under booties. The ones I got were Sidetrak ones. They were really warm, and pretty inexpensive at the LBS I think, nice velcro closure so you can get them nice and snug.

Above 15-20 or so I just put hockey tape over all the vents in my shoes, and wear some wool socks.

Note: I don't go on any epic winter rides. If I was out in the boonies I would probably want to get the regulation winter boots as I would trust them more for providing protection if something bad happened (not that they are Sorels but..)

Isaac

[soupboy]

Stuffing your regular shoes with thick socks can make things worse but if you've got room you could try woolies plus a Goretex oversock to stop the wind.

I love the Lakes.

[BrightYellow]

I love the Lakes too.

I also have a set of Garneau shoe covers that work good, similar to these:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SH503D00-Garneau+Feet+Warmers+Shoe+Cover.aspx

Do NOT get covers with zippers - they suck.

[[defective]]

Do NOT get covers with zippers - they suck.

Worked fine for me.

[flombe]

The Lakes are great no questions. Northwave also makes a good winter boot.

Neoprene covers work well but will tear easily/quickly off-road. If going neo, go on the lower end so you can replace them as needed. I rode with Pearl Izumis (rec'd as a gift) for one winter season and they were shot after a half dozen rides. At $50, that adds up quick. I went to Lakes rather than buying more neoprenes.

If this will be your first winter off-roading, go with neo covers to see if you like it and upgrade for the next season if you plan to continue riding in the cold.

I have heard the Sidetrak neoprene covers are great.

Oh, thanks for making me think about winter in August....

[Nickel]

I can't wait for winter...because of broomball!

[stoneage]

I posted this before, but I can't find it. If you can't afford the Lakes, use a normal wool sock in the shoe and get some cheap thick poly work socks (XXL) at Menards. Pull them over your shoe and mark the cleat. Snip a very small hole in the sock and seal the hole with a match or lighter. 8 bucks for three pair of socks. They will last the entire winter. I use them over the Lakes if it is 10-15 below. You can also slip a big baggie over the shoe before you pull the outer sock on for more wind protection. The principal here is to keep the whole shoe warm, just like it is better to insulate a basement wall in a house on the outside instead of the inside. It works.