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 On: 2007-09-23
Ive lost all feeling in my toes while riding in Winter many times both in the Northeast United States, and in the far more tolerable Winters of Chiba-prefecture, Japan. Ive tried putting my feet in Ziplock freezer bags before slipping them in my cycling shoes, worn high tech winter socks, and even tried thick wool socks. Nothing works except shoe covers. I havent tried neoprene or fleece undersocks, but experience already tells me that no special socks by themselves will work--only covers will.
These slip on easily over your shoes, no straps or velcro, and dont fall off. Its also nice that they dont just cover your toes, but all the way up to your ankle on the top of the shoe. Note that they also fit fine over my SIDI Dominators without having to go up a size to fit the lug soles and toe spikes.
The bottom-side is made out of the same material as the rest, so even a tiny bit of walking or standing while wearing these will cause them to tear very quickly, particularly in mountain bike shoes , but I should also note that mine are still fine after using them all last Winter.
Theyre just the right amount of warmth for when its chilly outside, but dont work very well at all in truly cold conditions--by which I mean my toes were still frozen numb riding in January riding in and around New York City. Still, theyre more effective than putting your feet in ziplock bags before slipping them in your cycling shoes (better than nothing) or wearing thicker or multiple socks--which is a mistake because it limits your circulation and therefore warmth.
BOTTOM LINE: For truly cold conditions, you need full-shoe covering booties made for Winter--nothing else will do--but these will at least make you more comfortable in chilly and wet conditions if you dont live somewhere that gets near or below freezing. If youre only going to buy one or the other for riding in frozen weather, buy the full boot covers and leave these on your Wish List. The price difference is negligible when you consider that the full boot covers will keep you comfy for many winters to come.
Especially in wet, chilly conditions you will very much appreciate that youre wearing these, but dont fool yourself into thinking these are for full-fledged Winter conditions.
I give them five stars on the fact that theyre far better than Calien Toes and were never meant for sub-freezing conditions--so they work for the conditions they were designed for better than any competing item.
On: 2005-12-30
I just thought someone should review this item. I do a lot of mountain biking in western Oregon, so it is wet and muddy in the winter. These covers work perfect and I couldnt be happier. I liked them so much I got a pair for my brother and riding partner. He loves them also.
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