Toe covers vs oversocks

[Salted_Peanut]

In winter, I’ve always used toe covers, not oversocks. Are my feet missing out?

[jfdi]

Your feet are certainly missing out... on a proper set of winter boots. I suffer terribly with cold hands and feet but decent marino socks and northwave winter boots my feet are happy well into minus temperatures.

[YorkshireStu]

I have toe-covers for Autumn but in Winter I need shoe covers.

I also have shoe covers for rain. They are easier to put on, since there is no zip, you put them on first and fold them over the shoes. Easy on, easy off.
My personal preference for those is the Rapha ones. They do offer some warmth too but not as much as my Winter ones.

For Winter, I want a lot of warmth and rain protection. So I use Castelli Estremo with matching gloves. They have a zip and you put the shoes on first and then the shoe covers. I wore them today for the first time, as it happens, and in -1 C they were fine.

[Salted_Peanut]

jfdi said:

I suffer terribly with cold hands

I’m the opposite and suffer in the heat but enjoy the cold. Currently, I’m happy in summer socks and toe covers. Full-blown shoe covers would likely be too warm in the dry, but I’m curious if oversocks would have any advantages over toe covers.

[mie1972]

Salted_Peanut said:

In winter, I’ve always used toe covers, not oversocks. Are my feet missing out?

I would only use if you feel you need them - certainly overshoes/socks are more hassle to get on and off that toe covers but do a better job.

Im also a fan of winter boots (I regularly ride in winter/cold) but I use toe covers with my regular (ie summer) shoes in Spring/autumn when it gets a bit colder and winter boots are overkill.

Not all overshoes are the same tho, ie waterproof vs windproof (ie neoprene). Windproof no good when rain or puddles.
I found the sealskins ones decent, stretchy and dont split. Not 100% waterproof tho - water always finds a way in eventually.

[z4RRSchris]

oversocks, white ones. v pro deefeet

its its wet enough that i need neoprene ones a) my feet sweat horribly and b) i just wont go outside.

[Domski86]

Winter boots, anything else is a waste of time. Specialized defroster were good but discontinued. Northwave and Shimano do some too. None are really 100% waterproof but your feet will stay warm.

[Jimbo.]

The best over “socks” are the Spatz gimpsuit specials. Just incredible things, well worth both the outlay and the piss taking. You feet (and calves) stay very warm, and your feet remain dry for a long, long time. And should they get wet (which really takes something) you don’t notice as they’re so warm to start with. Regarding your feet at least, they turn winter riding into a total non-issue.

[lufbramatt]

Jimbo. said:

The best over “socks” are the Spatz gimpsuit specials. Just incredible things, well worth both the outlay and the piss taking. You feet (and calves) stay very warm, and your feet remain dry for a long, long time. And should they get wet (which really takes something) you don’t notice as they’re so warm to start with. Regarding your feet at least, they turn winter riding into a total non-issue.

Couple of guys I ride with use Spatz and rave about them. Not cheap though. Tempted but tbh if the weather is that bad I’ll be on the turbo

[Hard-Drive]

+1 for winter boots, I have Northwaves which are great.

BUT...unless it's a bone dry day they are a bit rubbish without GripGrab gaiters. These seal the top of the boot and stop the spray etc getting in there and making your socks wet from the top down...

[TheDrownedApe]

no need for winter boots here. I find toe covers then full oversocks are plenty enough and far cheaper

However I'm not a sunday cyclist and am constantly over 120bpm so stay warm naturally.

[JEA1K]

TheDrownedApe said:

no need for winter boots here. I find toe covers then full oversocks are plenty enough and far cheaper

However I'm not a sunday cyclist and am constantly over 120bpm so stay warm naturally.

Where in the Southern hemisphere you are?

Spatz with summer or winter shoes is the only way to go. Whether its cold or wet or both, these are the only overshoes to keep either at bay. I've tried lots of overshoes over the years and nothing is a patch on Spatz.

When it comes to keeping warm and dry I have to say that money doesn't come in to it, buy the best bit of kit that allows you to ride and enjoy being outside.

[Salted_Peanut]

JEA1K said:

Spatz with summer or winter shoes is the only way to go. Whether its cold or wet or both, these are the only overshoes to keep either at bay. I've tried lots of overshoes over the years and nothing is a patch on Spatz.

Have you tried Spatz base layers, too? I'm curious what they're like.

[JEA1K]

Salted_Peanut said:

Have you tried Spatz base layers, too? I'm curious what they're like.

Yes, they are very good. The fabric depth does help retain heat and keeps you insulated ... also feels better when hot and sweating so the materials doesn't feel stuck to you. I have the Basez 2, Race layer and the CoolR and they all get used heavily. I sometimes use the Coolr under the Basez 2 when really cold.

They're kit is quite pricey although they do have regular sales and so far it seems to be lasting well. Everything they're desiging so far is very functional which is a good thing.