Toe covers

[Nickel428]

Hi all. I am completely new to the sport and am looking ahead to the cooler weather. I live in Indiana where it can get quite cold in the winter and was curious about toe/shoe covers. I currently ride in my tennis shoes and was wondering if the toe covers were strictly for proper cycling shoes? (I don't even know what type of bike I have, other than it's a Raleigh, and a good all purpose bike).

Any insight would be appreciated.

[Grog]

When it's really cold you might as well cycle with boots.

Otherwise I don't see why toe covers (of the right size) wouldn't fit on your tennis shoes...

[RoadRaven]

I see no reason why cycling booties wouldn't work over tennis shoes - they are stretchy. However, you might find they wear quickly underneath from contact with the pedals... with cycling shoes and cleats, the material does not have high pressure contact, if any, with the pedal.

You could always do what I do most of the time .... socks, plastic bags to fit over toes and most of foot but cut down so they are not sticking out the tops of your shoes, then your shoes.

Works a treat for cold days, frosty mornings, or polar blasts...
I use most often supermarket bags - a double layer if really cold day.
Bread bags are better because the plastic is thicker, but in our house it is easier to find supermarket bags.

[TsPoet]

Do you wear sandals? I know it sounds odd, but sandals are a great way to go when it's cold. Wear wool socks under them. Or wool socks with a sandwich bag. Or neoprene socks with wool socks or... whatever it takes to get warm using combos of socks.
My feet get so cold I wear booties that are 2 sizes too big and put rechargeable heating packets inside them. Barring that, though, I do the sandals and sock of the weather combo.

[aicabsolut]

I think they'd fit fine, though you'll want to pick a larger size. Some fit over MTB shoes, so they ought to fit over your casual shoes. Look for ones that are rubbery on the bottom for wear issues, and so they won't be as slippery. I like the PI Am/Fib ones, because they're fuzzy on the inside, water repellent, and also block wind on the toes. Even when it's near freezing, I only need these toe covers and one pair of socks and not the full booties. By the time my feet go numb, the rest of me has gotten sweaty enough to go numb too, and so then it's time to stop anyway.

[crazybikinchic]

If only I could get a portable heater for my booty. It gets ice cold and stays like that forever.