The Best Cycling Shoe Covers of 2024

The exterior of the three-layer fabric is also reflective for added visibility to oncoming motorists. The rear zipper is topped by a Velcro closure which provides an adjustable fit around the lower calf muscle to ensure that water and cold air are shut out as well as possible. The bottom sole is constructed of a burly and wear-resistant fabric, which extends onto the toe to ward off tears or abrasion from toe overlaps with the front tire. 

The fit of the Fizik Waterproof Winter Overshoe is snug and nicely articulated to the motion of pedaling, ensuring a smooth surface and compact profile with excellent aerodynamics. A YKK water-repellent zipper protects from moisture ingress and allows for easy entry and exit, and a wide reflective “Fi’zi:k” side logo adds more visibility and some bold styling to the otherwise stealthy look.

The Fizik Waterproof Winter Overshoe sells for $70, and considering its excellent protection, versatility, and quality construction, we highly recommend it as a comprehensive shoe cover for any type of winter road or gravel riding.

Using what Spatz calls “Aero-Armour” Neoprene, which is finished smooth to shed water, topped with Kevlar for abrasion resistance in key areas, and lined with warm Thermo fabric to trap air and wick away moisture, the Spatz Pro II succeeded in keeping not only our feet, but also ankles, calf muscles, and shins completely warm and dry during some nasty rides done sans fenders. The Pro 2 is heat-welded and features taped seams throughout. 

Looking at the Pro 2, it seems like they could present an epic battle just getting them on. Surprisingly, these were some of the easiest shoe covers to get into that we’ve ever used. The Aero-Armour Neoprene is flexible, and the “step-in” design and sole closure of the Spatz Pro 2 means they take mere seconds to get on and fixed into place. 

Out on the road, there was no binding, pulling, or unwanted pressure anywhere inside the Spatz Pro 2 Overshoe. While the extra mass is noticeable when holding them in hand, they do such a great job of keeping road spray and rainfall out while also wicking away any moisture buildup inside, that they feel light as air while riding. 

After a 2+ hour test ride in a steady drizzle, the thermal lining was dry as a bone and the shoe’s knit upper was also dry, which speaks to how well the Spatz Pro 2 Overshoe fits. This is key because of its “step-in” design. Without such a tidy fit, a lot of water could have come in through the bottom and sides of the shoes. 

While the look is indeed polarizing and the graphics may leave a bit to be desired, the triangular reflective panel in the calf muscle area should help motorists see you more easily in dark conditions. Just know that during group rides, you may have to explain why you’re wearing knee-high overshoes to curious observers. 

At $125, the Spatzwear Spatz Pro 2 is an investment in being able to ride comfortably in cold and wet conditions. As such, they’re probably going to leave a bit of a gap for most riders, between the apocalyptic conditions in which they shine, and conditions that are mild enough to go without any shoe coverage at all. The Spatz Pro 2 is for cyclists who want to ride no matter the weather, and just want to ride longer and in more comfort, even on the worst days

With a claimed temperature range of 8° to 41° F, we had to test the Estremo Shoe Cover at night in order to ride in temps cold enough to warrant wearing them. Breathability, and therefore versatility are limited unless you suffer from hopelessly cold feet after a certain period of time, even in milder conditions. Typically though, the Estremo needs temps in the mid-40s F and lower to avoid feeling too warm. 

The Gore-Tex Infinium material is not completely waterproof, but it does a good job of shedding moisture in damp conditions while providing enough insulation to keep the feet warm should they get a little wet. A YKK Aquaguard zipper helps make these burly shoe covers easy to get on and off and also seals out moisture from road spray and light rainfall. The sole is constructed of highly durable polyurethane that resists tearing and offers decent grip walking on hard surfaces. 

The fit of the Estremo Shoe Cover is snug without any binding, pulling, or unwanted pressure. For how much protection the Estremo offers, it still feels light and supple on the feet while pedaling. For logos, Castelli has thankfully opted to use a rubber medallion that is stitched into the upper material. Reflective stripes on the forefoot and heel add a little visibility in low-light conditions.

The cost of warm toes in sub-freezing temperatures is $170 in the case of the Castelli Estremo Shoe Cover, which is more than many nice pairs of road shoes, and approaches the cost of some dedicated winter riding boots. Still, we feel they are worth the asking price for those seeking to keep the feet warm on bitterly cold days in the heart of winter.

Contrary to our expectations of a “winter bootie”, the Assos GT Ultraz Winter Booties are light and soft, with a small waffle pattern to the TwinDeck textile. After an initial test ride in very wet conditions, the GT Ultraz soaked through relatively quickly, but further testing in cool and dry(ish) conditions quickly turned our impressions around and we began to hold them in high regard for their ability to keep the feet warm and also not interfere with the pedal stroke at all. As long as water isn’t spraying all over the GT Ultraz, they are excellent.

So what makes the GT Ultraz Winter so impressive on cool dry days? Foremost is the fit, which stays snug and smooth around the shoe without any ripples or excessive bulk that can rub the crankarms or chainstays. Moving up from the foot, the cuff of the GT Ultraz is finished in a raw cut that lies completely flat against tights or leg warmers, called Zero Cuff by Assos. This feature is important because many fabric shoe covers have a thick stitched hem that can bunch up during the pedal stroke and create a distracting rubbing sensation around the lower shin and ankles. No such issues with the GT Ultraz, which is able to flex and accommodate the extension of the ankle. 

This fit, flexibility, and low weight all result from the TwinDeck Textile developed by Assos. The TwinDeck textile is thicker in the forefoot, which is where the brunt of the elements is born. Around the ankle, the material gets thinner and that’s part of what makes the GT Ultraz lighter (129g/pair) than most shoe covers with similar insulating capabilities, and light enough that you really don’t notice them if they haven’t absorbed any water. The GT Ultraz offers impressive insulation from cold thanks to an ultra-soft fleece lining, and Assos clearly knows how to layer materials to create more warmth than bulk. 

At $120 US, the Assos GT Ultraz Winter Booties are a premium product with usefulness limited to dry winter days or days when moisture isn’t getting sprayed up from the road. If you’re a fair-weather rider or live somewhere with dry winters, the GT Ultraz might be the only shoe cover you need. For those who need wet weather protection as well, another pair of shoe covers would need to be added to the arsenal to complement the GT Ultraz.

A smooth outer face allows the Neoprene material of the Road Overshoes to shed water easily and insulate against wind. Neoprene also offers a decent amount of stretch to accommodate different shoe upper profiles and doesn’t ripple or flap at high speed. Neoprene also has an unsurpassed ability to keep things warm even when moisture is present. When we’re honest about whether it’s possible to keep water off our feet for a 4-hour ride in the rain, it’s pretty clear that keeping feet warm once they are a bit damp is actually a more essential demand, and on that the Road Overshoe delivers. 

One important update to the Road Overshoe is the new offset rear zipper, which improves pedaling comfort by moving the zipper away from the flex point behind the ankle, reducing the chance of it digging in. Reflective stripes on both sides of the zipper also add some much-needed low-light visibility.

One of our favorite aspects of the Endura Road Overshoe is the hard-wearing sole material that features aramid thread. This construction ensures that the Road Overshoe won’t disintegrate as quickly along the sole the way so many other shoe covers do. Not only is it sad and unsightly when this happens, but it also allows moisture to creep in more easily from below. These concerns are things of the past with the Endura Road Overshoe, which is $70 well-spent and can often be found for much less.

The latex rubber material is thin and flexible enough to operate BOA dials concealed beneath it. Once in place, the rubber grabs hard and doesn’t slide down the shoe at all. With white shoes, the white covers are basically invisible and keep you looking tidy. If you’re not into the Velotoze logo, however, we recommend resisting the urge to reverse the Toe Covers when wearing white shoes as the black printed logo can discolor white materials if it stays in contact with the shoe’s upper surface for a long enough time. 

We, and many others, tend to just put these on in September and leave them on our shoes until the truly nasty winter weather arrives and do the same in the spring. They’re stretchy enough that putting shoes on with the toe covers on isn’t an issue, and it helps prevent tearing the rubber around the cleat opening while putting them on/taking them off repeatedly. If you want to take them off during a ride, it’s super easy to store them in a jersey pocket or storage container on your bike.

Given that they are made from latex rubber, than can be prone to tearing if they come into contact with sharp objects or are scraped on the pavement. Another thing to avoid is wadding these up after a ride when they are wet. The rubber tends to stick to itself and makes returning them to their original form a bit of a challenge. Again, it’s easiest to just leave them on your shoes until they don’t make sense for the day’s weather, then remove them gently and store them flat. 

Regardless, at just $15, the VeloToze Toe Covers are a great value, easy to use, and effective for those less-than-perfect days. At 25g per pair, they won’t slow you down at all and can keep you focused on your ride, instead of frigid toes.

The Crosspoint Waterproof Sock is similar, but unlike basic wool overshoes, sometimes called “Belgian Booties”, the Crosspoint Waterproof Sock features a three-layer construction comprised of a waterproof breathable Artex™ membrane sandwiched between a Coolmax FX moisture-wicking anti-bacterial lining and a stretchy and hydrophobic knit outer layer. So, while they are called “socks” and look like socks stretched over your cycling shoes (in a good way), the Crosspoint is packed with advanced materials that keep your feet so much more comfortable than most traditional knit overshoes ever could. 

You’ll need to size up so they are big enough to stretch over your cycling shoes, but in the right size, the Crosspoint Waterproof Socks easily accommodate the full range of motion in your pedal stroke, with no binding, pulling, or unwanted pressure. Another benefit of the sock shape is that there are no zippers, Velcro, or stitched seams anywhere. Unlike many “step-in” style shoe covers that feature Velcro joining both sides together along the sole, the Crosspoint Sock completely covers the entire bottom of the foot, making it much warmer than its weight and flexibility would suggest. 

To make sure the cleat hole is cut in the correct place, we recommend sliding the Crosspoint socks on over your road shoes with the cleats installed, and marking where the cleat is with a simple line down the middle. Then, simply make an incision along this line. For an extra-durable finish on your incision, use a lighter or other heat source to singe the incision and prevent fraying. 

At just $40 US, the Showers Pass Crosspoint Waterproof Sock is by far and away the best value option for protecting your feet against cold wind and soaking rain this winter. Yes, they are a little unorthodox, but they work well and won’t break the bank. If you’d rather not wear them over your shoes, get them in your normal size and wear them as socks where they provide great warmth and weather protection just the same.

The fit of the Pioggia 4 is snug but not as tight as some other shoe covers we tested. It is also available in 5 sizes, which provides a huge sizing range. So, it might be worthwhile to order two sizes to see which one fits better over your specific shoes and ankle. 

The rear zipper is topped by a velcro tab at the top meant to snug the upper cuff around the lower calf to discourage water from migrating down the high ankle area. The cuff itself is a ring of thin and stretchy polyurethane that fits tightly and also helps minimize moisture creeping in from above. Reflective pull tabs at the heel help not only with pulling the Pioggia 4 securely back and around the rear of the shoe but also lend a bit of visibility for low light conditions. 

At $80, the Castelli Pioggia 4 represents a solid value because it can work on all of your fall, winter, and spring rides with temps under 55° F and above freezing. In the correct size, it also offers a more aero fit than many shoe covers offering similar levels of protection, making the Pioggia 4 a great choice for fast training rides and races early in the spring season.

The Infinium Bootie gets its name from the Gore-Tex Infinium fabric used across the entire upper. Infinium is an excellent choice for this application because it copes well with road spray and rainfall, but just as importantly, provides an unyielding barrier against wind, while also wicking away interior moisture. Infinium is also flexible and lightweight, which helped Sportful create a very well-balanced and versatile shoe cover in the Infiumium Bootie. 

Reflective tabs lend some visibility in low light conditions, and the zipper is positioned to the outboard side of the bootie, to avoid bunching or irritation. Branding is very minimal, with just a simple Sportful “S” logo near the cuff. 

At $95, the Sportful Infinium Bootie sits at a premium price but has a fairly modest look. Don’t let that fool you. Gore-Tex Infinium is arguably the best material for riding in cold and wet conditions, and combined with the reinforced footbed, makes the Sportful Infinium Bootie an excellent choice for anyone seeking a shoe cover that has them covered on both paved and gravel roads.

The AmFIB Lite shoe cover’s three-layer softshell fabric blocks wind and repels moisture while offering excellent breathability. The cuff is cut high to ensure generous overlap with tights, creating a weatherproof seal around the lower calf and ankle. 

BioViz reflective elements on the toe, side, and heel increase low-light visibility. Our test pair features the radiant “sunfire” orange colorway that is aimed at highlighting the rider’s biomotion which has been demonstrated to help motorists more rapidly identify approaching cyclists. 

The AmFIB Lite shoe covers feature larger-than-average openings in the sole that accommodate the tread of MTB shoes. This sole design along with a slightly looser fit around the ankle and heel makes the AmFIB Lite shoe cover super easy to get into so you can spend less time getting dressed and more time riding. This does result in a less precise fit, however, and they tend to be a little looser around the feet than most other models we tested.

At $65, the Pearl Izumi AmFIB Lite Shoe Cover is competitively priced against other shoe covers that offer the same level of protection. Seeing as it can protect across a wide range of both wet and dry conditions, while significantly enhancing daytime visibility for motorists, and is compatible with MTB and road shoes, the Pearl Izumi AmFIB Lite shoe cover deserves serious consideration as your next pair of shoe covers.

The sole material is textured to avoid tears and extend the lifespan of the RaceAqua Waterproof Road Shoe Covers. The RaceAqua is available not only in black but also in a flashy hi-vis yellow colorway that is aimed at enhancing your visibility in the low-light conditions often present on dreary weather days of the fall, winter, and spring. 

While the RaceAqua Waterproof Road Shoe Covers are amazing in the rain, we noticed that even in the low 40s, they didn’t keep our feet as warm as some other lightweight shoe covers we tested. So, we recommend the RaceAqua Waterproof Road Shoe Covers for milder conditions from the mid-40s to upper 50s. We also strongly recommend choosing the smallest size you can, based on the range of shoe sizes assigned to each size of the RaceAqua. For example, we tested size XXL for a size 46 shoe but could have easily fit into an XL instead, for a more aero fit and more secure fit around the ankle.

Regardless, at $55, the GripGrab RaceAqua Waterproof Road Shoe Covers is an affordable option that’s great for blocking wind and water while keeping the feet comfortable on cool days.

Increased stretch was a specific goal for Pearl Izumi with the most recent update to the AmFIB Toe Cover, and we can confirm it’s ready to stretch over any shoe easily, whether it uses laces or BOA, and can accommodate wider shoes and shoe sizes that are on the verge of being too large. The opening on the sole is sized for any three-bolt road cleat and is shaped to avoid rubbing against the cleat, but also reinforced to avoid tearing if that does happen.

A reflective Pearl Izumi logo on the toe lends a touch of visibility in low-light conditions. The AmFIB Toe Cover is just $20 and can be the difference between toasty warm toes and cutting a ride short, so we recommend making the small investment to have them at your disposal for those nippy days in fall, winter, and early spring.