If you're really mile munching during the cold months, look for something that extends as high up your leg as possible for extra warmth and the most tech you can afford. If you're riding a bit less outdoors and maybe just doing winter race series or fast club rides, a thinner option such as the Velotoze will probably cover it. Whether that matters, of course, depends on when you’re planning to use your overshoes. It doesn’t only rain in winter… Overshoe sole design When the temperature drops but the desire to ride remains you need some serious protection for your feet, these oversized BBB Arctic Duty overshoes could be the answer. Just as you may not need full winter boots, full shoe covers might be too warm. Toe covers, as the name suggests, only cover the toe box of your shoe, ending just past the cleat, which helps to hold it in place.They tend to be fairly cheap but for the usually reasonable price can fill a useful gap in your wardrobe for spring and autumn cool conditions. Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply.

If you're doing any sort of cycling in colder winter temperatures and conditions a pair of cycling overshoes are worth investing in. Anything over around an hour on the bike in the cold and wet and there's a fair chance you will have soaking and cold feet. Yes, you can tough this out and ride for hours but we can promise it won't be comfortable and you'll be using energy trying to stay warm that could be used elsewhere. We've ridden for hours in winter with frozen feet and it's miserable. A pair of overshoes will protect your feet and keep them warmer and if water eventually does work its way in, you will be 'wet but warm' instead of frozen to the bone. Our advice is to invest in a budget set of neoprene overshoes, put some time in with them on the bike and get an idea of what you like, and what you don't. Should I get overshoes or toe covers? All things considered we like the BBB Arctic Duty overshoes, though there is still work to be done to make them perfect. They offer a high degree of protection from the worst of the winter that most other overshoes struggle to get near to.

GripGrab Flandrien Waterproof Knitted Road Shoe Covers

The Estremos use the popular Gore-Tex Infinium material on the outer panels to keep the wind at bay and a seriously plush Polartec Power stretch fleece on the inside. There are also reflective details and a bright red YKK aqua guard-sealed Zipper. The cuff extends a good way up the ankle and there's a nice wide elastic gripper to keep it in place. I can't stand overshoes slipping down during a ride so this was welcome. The zip is moved to the side to keep it out of the way of spray and has a neoprene guard inside to prevent water from working its way in.I wore them on an autumn day when there was a lot of standing water from heavy rain and they were perfect at keeping the spray away without my feet overheating. The simply named Endura Road Overshoe in Hi-Viz Yellow is another competitively priced neoprene option, one that has been a cornerstone of the Endura overshoe line for years.

Putting on a pair of Pro 2s does feel like you are ready to go to war in the sense that you feel protected from the elements. Once you've done it a few times, the overshoes are on in minutes and putting them on certainly isn't a battle. I've ridden for over three hours in them in sleet, snow and sub-zero conditions and they performed brilliantly with my lower legs and feet staying warm. Cycling overshoes, on the other hand, engulf your whole shoe and see a cuff that will continue up the calf, the length of which varies by brand and model. Of course, the further up the leg, the greater the protection against the elements, and with the additional coverage, it should come as no surprise that full overshoes are considerably warmer. Sometimes, kit makers will use a less bulky fabric for the uppers, one that’s typically DWR (durable water repellent) coated to repel water, and includes a breathable membrane. It’s an alternative to neoprene that’s lighter and less stiff, but it can lose its water-resistance over time and, unless additional insulation is added, may not be as warm in cold weather. The Achilles heel of any overshoe tends to be its sole. First, it needs to have a couple of holes in it to fit over your shoe’s cleat and heel. This inevitably lets water in, which can creep into your shoe’s upper and through vent holes in its sole.We say 'complete waterproofing', but it's worth remembering that there are still holes at the top, cleat, and heel, so like any of the options here, water can find its way in during the worst of the downpours. Also, be aware that breathability is reduced, so you might find your feet damp from sweat too. Galibier produces good quality cycling kit that is great value for money. The Arctic 3 overshoes are hefty 4mm neoprene units and have a very interesting moulded rubber toe box for added durability. If you riding or racing hard in foul conditions the Velotoze are cheap and can be really useful to improve aerodynamics or keep spray water at bay.