Riding in cold weather is challenging, and wet and frozen feet don’t make it any easier. Your feet, right in the line of spray generated by the front wheel (especially without mudguards), can suffer more than any other body part. The best cycling overshoes, designed to protect your feet from the weather, are a top investment if you’re aiming to ride in all weathers, whether you’re a racer or commuter.
Unless you’re sporting full-on winter boots, good overshoes are essential. Put simply, overshoes are made from a weatherproof fabric designed to sit snugly over your shoes and keep the rain and wind out, preventing your feet from getting wet and cold. They broadly fall into two camps: those that are waterproof, and those that are just windproof.
As well as keeping the wet out, the best cycling overshoes provide another layer of insulation, and some have a thicker material to provide more warmth on really cold rides. Generally speaking, the thicker the overshoe, the more it’s going to keep the cold out. A trick some cyclists resort to on really awful days is two wear two pairs of overshoes for even more protection, although that will have an effect on flexibility around your ankle.
Toe covers are handy for days when it’s not cold or damp enough for full overshoes. Typically made from neoprene, they’re ideal if your shoes are well vented, and are very useful in the autumn. Another use for them, and one we’ll admit to have resorted to on more than a few occasions, is wearing toe covers under overshoes for a double layer of protection.
If you’re after your first pair after finding out the hard way that you need some by going out in the cold without any, or you’re just after some replacements, you’re in luck! Check out our top-rated overshoes below, and if you need some more advice before choosing then keep scrolling for everything you need to know about overshoes…
And if you’re interested in how we choose the products to be included in this guide, have a read of this about how road.cc eviews products.