Stiff, frozen toes and numb feet are a reason for many people to cancel their training session during the cold and wet season - or not to start at all. Most amateur cyclists don't want to or can't afford winter cycling shoes. The only alternative: overshoes - usually black fabric bags, also known as "booties", which you wear over your cycling shoes. The main task of overshoes is to reliably keep cold and wetness away from the feet. The ideal "bootie" fits over the cycling shoe like a second skin, is easy to put on and take off and lasts longer than one season if possible. We invited twelve manufacturers to the test, each of which has an autumn model and a warmer winter model with an additional insulating function in its range. The overshoes range from the very light "Race Proof" from BBB weighing 76 grams to the 408 gram neoprene rubber boot from Protective.
The manufacturers' endeavours to meet the requirements are reflected in a wealth of different design approaches. The lighter autumn models are dominated by thin, windproof and sometimes water-repellent material.
SHORT & SHORT
The best overshoes don't have to be the most expensive. Manufacturers such as Shimano and Vaude prove this with their test candidates for 30 euros. Numerous models disappointed in the wetness protection category. PRO's "Tarmac H2O" quickly let a lot of water through despite the "Water Resistant" seal. The "Pro Rain" from Mavic, on the other hand, was waterproof.
You can find these models in the PDF download:
BBB RaceProof BWS-01
BBB Hardware BWS-04
Chiba Neoprene Overshoe
Chiba Eurotex Overshoe
Spooner 12454
Spooner 9836
Gore Oxygen
Gore Race Power II
Jeantex Oslo rain gaiter
Jeantex neoprene overshoe
Mavic Pro Rain
Main Inferno
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