What are the Best Cycling Shoe Covers?
There’s no one set of best cycling overshoes, as they’re designed to do different things.
There are several different kinds of overshoes, ones to keep you warm, dry, or both. There are even go faster options, which aren’t covered here, but you can read more about aero clothing in Aero optimisation: you or the bike?
If like us you do the majority of your riding under the constant threat of rain, a fair threat of snow and likely freezing temperatures, then a set of cycling overshoes to keep out the elements and keep you riding is essential.
Here’s our pick of the best cycling overshoes we’ve reviewed. You can read more about what to look for in our buyer’s guide below.
Best Shoe Cover’s Reviews
We were very impressed with these overshoes. They were warm, easy to put on, well-fitting, windproof and water-resistant—basically, all the points you want in an overshoe. Not only that, but the price is extremely competitive. With no discernible negatives, it was easy to give these a full 10/10.
A full-length waterproof zip at the back made getting them on and off a breeze. The zipper is secured by a tab at the top to stop it from slipping down at an inopportune moment. Another nice touch is the elasticated cuff with an internal silicone gripper, which helps to secure the overshoes in place.
Not only are the GripGrabs bright yellow, but there is also reflective printing on the sides and an even more reflective rear tape tab. Made of 4mm neoprene, the overshoes do away with zips in favour of a stretchy cuff, to allow you to get the overshoes on. Because this is quite deep, it helps keep water from trickling down your leg. There’s a Velcro tab under the instep to hold the two sides of the overshoe together. Durability is good, but with the thick neoprene construction, we got some scuffing on the cranks.
Huub’s neoprene is a bit stretchier than most, making getting these overshoes on and off a bit easier and leading to a close fit. The cuff on these Huub overshoes is a bit longer than most, which helps keep spray at bay. You do need to be careful getting them on and off and keep them away from sharp objects though.
There are multiple SealSkinz overshoes on offer, and this is one of its lighter-weight options, appealing to riders wanting waterproof fabric, without compromising breathability. The material is high stretch, so the warmers go on and come off easily and they’re machine washable.
Oversocks tend to be a little less resilient than overshoes, due to thinner material, but the Sealskinz version should be a good compromise. Made from 3.5mm neoprene, these overshoes from dhb are nice and warm, although that does make them a bit bulky and prone to scuff on the cranks. The underside is very scuff resistant though, with Kevlar material throughout. There are good reflective elements at the rear and an effective waterproof zip.
Overshoe material
All-weather overshoes tend to follow the same basic pattern; there’s a high ankle cuff to try to prevent rain from running down your leg and into your shoe, and a bootie-style lower section that covers your shoe.
Whether that matters, of course, depends on when you’re planning to use your overshoes. It doesn’t only rain in winter, of course…
Overshoe sole design
The Achilles’ heel of overshoes tends to be their sole. First, it needs to have a couple of holes in it to fit over your shoes’ cleats and heels. This inevitably lets water in, which can creep into your shoes’ uppers and through vent holes in their soles.
Also, you’re going to end up walking in your overshoes at some point, and you’ll have to put a foot down at junctions or stops, all of which subjects them to wear. Most overshoes use a much tougher fabric on the base, sometimes including Kevlar fibres, to cope with the abuse. Even so, you’re likely to find that your overshoes wear quite quickly and need replacing after a couple of winters’ riding.
Looping over the back of your cleat to stay on, the bottom features a rubberized outsole for added grip and durability. They are low profile, lightweight, and provide the bit of extra warmth needed for riding in moderate weather.
What is RoS?
RoS stands for ‘Rain or Shine, and Castelli designed the RoS Shoe covers to provide warmth, no matter the weather.
There is an extra tall cuff with a silicone gripper to keep water from sneaking in through the top, and a full-length zipper and pull tab on the heel for easy entry and exit.
Of course, the moisture protection is dependent on the length of your ride because water/rain will eventually seep in (especially through the cleat hole).
The RoS 2 overshoes see an upgraded aesthetic after the leather-look on the original RoS overshoe divided opinions. If you’re looking for mild winter protection with a high cuff, whilst retaining aerodynamic performance – such as those early-season wet-weather races – the RoS 2 is a great choice.
Velotoze offers a simple-yet-very-effective solution to waterproofing.
BUYER’S GUIDE TO THE BEST CYCLING OVERSHOES
Designed to keep the cold, the wet, or wind out they come with holes at the bottom to allow your cleats to connect with the best clipless pedals.
For rainy days, you can opt for a more waterproof fabric, which, similar to the Best waterproof cycling jackets, uses a DWR (durable water-resistant) fabric. It’s likely to be thinner, so you might take a hit on the warmth. There is much debate as to overshoes inside out outside legwear, but suffice to say, even if the overshoe itself doesn’t leak, water will eventually find its way in through the openings – top or bottom (or both).
As with neoprene, you only have a limited time before the water gets in, but unless if it’s a showery day, it may be better to accept this as it will dry quickly.
The undersides of even the best cycling overshoes are prone to wear. Depending on your riding style, you may want to look for a tough, seam-free base with reinforcements at the heel and toe box, especially if you’re often having to dab in gravel or stop at traffic lights.
Some of the best cycling overshoes will have reflective or hi-vis elements, essential when riding in the poor light conditions of the cooler seasons.
Conclusion
An alternative to overshoes is to buy a pair of dedicated winter cycling shoes.With some winter-specific shoes, heel lift can be an issue because the ankle cuff needs to be wide enough to allow you to insert your foot into the boot.In the last couple of years, brands such as Mavic, Fizik and Northwave have brought out winter cycling shoes. These have a waterproof upper and sole and include insulation, but without a cuff the fit around the ankle is closer, leading to better pedalling dynamics and a more comfortable fit.
If you’re planning to ride extensively in cold, wet conditions, a dedicated set of winter shoes or boots may work out cheaper than hammering your summer shoes and replacing overshoes regularly. Waterproof socks are a boon for the winter rider too.
