Winter has arrived. The good times are over, the heat is gone, the days are shorter, and we have to juggle things to be able to go out and train and keep enjoying our bike rides. Whether you pedal on road bikes looking for pace on the asphalt or prefer to escape along trails with your mountain bike, the truth is that the cold affects everyone equally.
So, if we want to keep going strong with this sport that brings us so much joy, we’re going to have to go out in the cold... and probably more than once we’ll come home soaked. But not all is lost: if we plan ahead and take action, we’ll avoid unpleasant surprises and can keep enjoying two wheels, no matter the temperature.
Today I want to tell you about one of the simplest, most affordable, and effective resources to fight the cold from your feet on any type of route, whether on road or mountain: shoe covers.
What they are and what they’re for
The name “cubrezapatillas” (or overshoes) doesn’t fool anyone. They are an accessory used to cover our shoes, both road and MTB, like an outer sock. Why do we need to cover our cycling footwear? Depending on the fabric, the type of shoe cover, and the colors, we can get different properties, such as keeping warmth in, preventing water from getting into the foot, being more visible to cars and other cyclists, or gaining a bit of aerodynamics.
Types of shoe covers for cycling
Not all cycling shoe covers are the same. Besides knowing whether we’ll use them for road or mountain bike, they differ based on the type of fabric they’re made from and the type of protection they provide.
Toe covers
These are the ones that only cover the toe of our shoe or boot. Their goal is to keep warm the part of our feet that suffers the most from the cold: the toes. It’s recommended that they have a thermal neoprene cover to counteract the cold. They have a hole in the sole for the cleat, which also helps keep them in place. If we want to use them for mountain biking, we’ll need to look for specific models with space for the studs on our boots, because otherwise, we’ll tear them up as soon as we have to put a foot down and walk through the woods.
Socks
It is probably the least recommended option of all due to its low durability, but it is the most economical. Simply put, this type of overshoe is a sock that is placed over the shoe and covers us above the ankle. It serves to protect our footwear from possible wear, dust, or mud.
Lycra or latex overshoes
They are thin and elastic, look quite good aesthetically, and are used in time trials for aerodynamic reasons. They can serve as windbreakers and also protect the shoes and extend their useful life by not having to clean them after every winter bike ride. Let’s not forget that, even if it doesn’t rain, in winter it’s very likely we’ll return from a bike ride with our shoes splattered.
Thermal overshoes
Their function is to keep us warm. They are usually made of neoprene. This fabric retains heat very well and protects from rain, although it has the drawback of being not very breathable. For neoprene overshoes with zipper closure, we should make sure they are heat-sealed.
Waterproof overshoes
They are ideal for rainy areas, as there are few things more unpleasant than going out with soaked feet. If we add cold to the rain, our training or ride can become a real nightmare. Depending on the brand and range, some manufacturers use their own waterproof or windproof fabrics. Others use Gore Tex or neoprene combined with a waterproof outer fabric. Within each type of overshoe, there are always ranges depending on the designs and materials they are made of. For example, there are models that reinforce the heels and toe caps with Kevlar for added resistance. Others, to preserve heat and waterproofing, use Gore Tex fleece instead of neoprene. There are even overshoes with LEDs that give you up to 240 hours of light.
The sizing of each overshoe depends on the manufacturer. Some are sized by number like shoes, and some are sized by size (S, M, L, XL; small, large...). The latter will probably provide us with a table showing the range each size covers (e.g., M:39-42; L:43-45…). In either case, our number will always be that of our shoe; there is no need to buy a size up just because they go on top.
Socks and Good Shoes
Good waterproof or neoprene overshoes, along with a good winter sock, are an excellent combination to keep our feet warm. It is also highly recommended that they have some reflective element, as at this time of year daylight is scarce and any help to improve our visibility is always welcome. For mountain bike things change. And the thing is, in my experience, the durability of overshoes is quite short. Although there are models that leave room for the cleats on our boots, if you have to walk through the mountains you'll end up destroying them after just a few rides. Probably the best option for mountain biking is to wear socks suitable for this time of year and some winter shoes, preferably waterproof. Another more economical combination could be waterproof socks, like the Sealskinz, with the MTB shoes we use for the rest of the year. But you would have to take into account how tight your shoes are, since these socks are much thicker than regular ones. In any case, winter is not the same everywhere. In Asturias, for example, we are more concerned about water. In other places, it's the cold, and in others, the wind. So, depending on each person's needs, you have to choose the option you feel most comfortable with. And nowadays, there are many possible options and combinations to fight against winter and keep enjoying our bike rides, which is what we want.