Here are a couple of iron sole covers I found on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Innovative-Hom.../dp/B002FVU9XA
http://www.amazon.com/IMCG-C2616-Iro.../dp/B000V9YI30
I have found excellent irons at thrift shops for about $6. Bought a Rowenta new years ago (for many $$$) that made several unscheduled trips to a concrete floor. Dh kindly glued it and duct-taped it together; still works great! But I have found similar Rowentas at thrift shops. Some quilters buy them, don't like the auto-shutoff (which has undoubtedly saved our house from fire more than once), and donate them. Have also found good irons at garage sales for $3; a lot of people just don't iron clothes anymore!