The 9 Best Cycling Shoe Covers: Waterproof + Thermal for Road, MTB and Bikepacking

Last Updated on 12 October 2024 by Cycloscope

A review of the best cycling shoe covers. The warmest waterproofing thermal winter overshoes for MTB, road cycling, bike-commuting, cycle touring, & bikepacking.

Tired of your feet getting wet and cold, looking for the best cycling shoe covers for your needs? You’re in the right place.

In this article, we compiled a list of the best waterproof and thermal shoe covers for MTB, road cycling, everyday bike commuting, cycle touring, and bikepacking.

Some of these products are the warmest overshoes available, some have outstanding waterproofness, and some others excel in their versatility.

Although most overshoes for cycling are only meant for on-pedal use, because of their very thin or non-existent soles, here we featured some models that can actually be used for any discipline, even for tough hikes.

So, let’s dive into the comparison of the best cycling shoe covers, updated for 2024!

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9 best cycling overshoes in a nutshell

• 3 Best road cycling shoe covers
• C3 Gore Windstopper Thermo Overshoes
• Castelli Estremo Shoe Covers
• ROCKBROS Road Cycling Shoe Covers
• 3 Best MTB Overshoes
• PEARL IZUMI Pro Barrier WxB MTB
• GIRO Proof MTB Winter
• Louis Garneau H2O Thermal Shoe Cover
• 3 Best Commuting & Cycle Touring Shoe Covers
• MAVIC Essential Thermo
• Shower Pass Club Shoes Covers
• USHTH Waterproof Rain Boot

3 best road cycling shoe covers

Road cycling overshoes are meant to be worn over cycling cleat shoes, most of these won’t work with flat pedals. They have a very thin sole with a hole for clipping on, do not try to walk with them on as you’ll instantly damage them.

The fit of road cycling shoe covers is very tight, there’s no way those could fit over regular shoes or even hybrid cycle touring shoes, so buy these only if you’re going to use them with the proper footwear.

C5 Gore Windstopper Thermo Overshoes

SPECS

Material	[membrane/laminate] Gore Windstopper, [face fabric] 100% nylon, [insulation] PrimaLoft Silver
Closure	zipper, hook-and-loop strap
Sole	abrasion-resistant
Use	road cycling
Warranty	1 year

Let’s start with a brand that is synonymous with weather protection. With the Gore Wear C5 Windstopper Thermo Overshoes, you won’t have to be afraid of freezing winter rides anymore.

These road cycling overshoes provide excellent insulation and won’t let the howling wind pass through thanks to the Gore-Tex Windstopper membrane

They are also pretty breathable, preventing your feet from soaking in their own perspiration when you’re pushing yourself to the best of your performance.

The design is very reflective and the fit around the shoe is nice and tight. Of course, being road cycling shoe covers, they won’t fit on regular shoes.

Castelli Estremo Shoe Cover

Best overshoes for extremely cold weather

SPECS

Material	[membrane/laminate] GORE-TEX Infinium, [face fabric] Polartec Power Stretch Pro
Closure	YKK AquaGuard zipper
Use	road cycling
Warranty	1 year

With the Estremo Shoe Cover, Castelli’s aim was to achieve the warmest cycling overshoe ever, and we can say they shoot right on target. If you ride in extremely cold conditions, even several degrees below freezing, the Castelli Estremo are the best shoe covers for you.

For the windproofing, they went with GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® fleece-backed fabric, highly breathable. A second fleece layer with Polartec® Power Stretch® Pro™ is added for unmatched insulation.

The boot is tall for extra warmth and splash protection, the zippers are waterproof and the wall construction can withstand constant rain for a while, even without being 100% waterproof. The Castelli Estremo overshoes are able to keep you warm down to -10°-5°C / 8°-41°F.

ROCKBROS Road Cycling Shoe Covers

Best budget road cycling waterproof overshoes

SPECS

Material: Polyester
Closure: Zip
Use: Road Cycling
Waterproof: Water-resistant and Windproof

These cycling shoe covers have been designed with a water-resistant surface, which includes a secure, lockable sealed zipper to enhance their ability to repel water. Inside, they feature a comfortable fleece lining to keep your feet warm and cozy, making them perfect for cold-weather cycling.

Additionally, their front portion is reinforced with durable Kevlar, known for its impressive strength and abrasion resistance. You’ll also find a high-visibility logo on the back, making them safer for night cycling.

These covers are not only practical but also convenient, thanks to their lightweight and foldable design, allowing you to store them easily in your pocket or bike bags.

They are a winter essential for various outdoor activities, such as cycling, hiking, fishing, and climbing, especially during windy or snowy days, and they fit snugly over your bike pants to keep you warm and protected.

3 Best MTB Shoe Covers

Shoe covers designed for MTB use must be compatible with flat pedals and most kinds of sports shoes. They also need to be more resistant to thorns and rocks, mountain biking puts a lot of strain into gear. Some of these are also cleat-compatible.

PEARL IZUMI Pro Barrier WxB MTB Shoe Cover

SPECS

Material	41% polyester, 27% polyamide, 17% polyurethane, 8% elastane, 7% Kevlar
Closure	hook-and-loop
Sole	lugged mountain bike shoes
Use	mountain biking

High-quality cycling overshoes for flat pedals still come in limited options, and those specifically developed for MTB are even fewer.

Luckily, Pearl Izumi has all of ass avid mountain bikers covered with these Pro Barrier WxB MTB Shoe Cover.

The PRO Barrier WxB MTB overshoes are designed with adventure in mind, fat bike lovers and plus-addict can now tackle mud and snow without getting wet and cold feet.

All potential leaking points are eliminated by taped seams, making them totally waterproof, albeit still breathable. A fleece layer insulates under the outer shell, making the shoe covers suitable for freezing rides in the 30s and below.

The trail-specific soles grip well on the pedals and the KEVLAR reinforcement protects against trail abuse. Among the best MTB shoe covers on the market.

GIRO Proof MTB Winter Shoe Covers

SPECS

Material	[body] neoprene, [ankle] super stretch neoprene
Closure	rear zipper
Sole	molded rubber
Compatibility	most mountain bike shoes
Use	mountain bike
Warranty	1 year

Another effective MTB overshoe option comes from Giro. The Proof MTB Winter Shoe Covers are made of water-resistant and wind-stopping stretch neoprene providing optimal warmth in mild winters while including flex zones in key areas to minimize bulk.

The soles feature a molded rubber bottom reinforcement, improving traction and durability, the toe area is also reinforced and padded for extra insulation and sturdiness.

The leak-proof locking-zipper closure ensures a proper fit, you can wear it easily over your mountain bike shoes without having to spend a good quarter of an hour trying to slip your feet in.

A small drawback is that the heel-cover surface isn’t grippy enough and might slip down if you’re not careful.

Louis Garneau H2O Thermal Shoe Cover

Best flat pedal overshoes for versatility

SPECS

Material
Closure
Sole
Recommended Use
Manufacturer Warranty

The Louis Garneau Thermal H2O Shoe Covers are specifically designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions, offering 100% wind and waterproof protection to keep your feet warm and dry. These covers are constructed from seam-sealed 3mm super stretch neoprene and feature a cozy fleece lining. This design not only ensures exceptional wind and waterproof performance but also guarantees your toes stay warm even in the most challenging weather conditions.

For added practicality, the shoe covers come with a durable rubber outsole that provides extra traction. Moreover, this outsole is customizable as it can be cut to fit various types of cleats using the integrated cutting guide. The covers feature a seam-sealed zipper closure with a zipper garage to keep things tidy and secure. Additionally, they offer enhanced visibility in low-light conditions thanks to reflective details.

In summary, these Louis Garneau Thermal H2O Shoe Covers are built to deliver top-notch insulation and waterproofing, covering your entire foot and ankle area. They feature a zipper closure, ensuring a snug fit, and the reflective elements enhance safety during nighttime or low-light rides.

4 Commuting and Cycle Touring Overshoes

Overshoes for commuting, bikepacking and bicycle touring should be able to fit on most kinds of shoes, just like MTB shoe covers. It’s great for the rider to be also able to walk with them.

MAVIC Essential Thermo Shoe Cover

SPECS

Material	polyester
Closure	zipper, hook-and-loop
Compatibility	road shoes
Use	cycling
Warranty	2 years

The Mavic Essential Thermo Overshoes are a great choice for those who tour with cleat shoes, they have all the characteristics of road cycling overshoes minus the tight fit, thus making them suitable to be worn also on clipless touring boots like these.

They are incredibly warm and able to keep you comfortable in subfreezing temperatures. Their closure is a combination of side zipper and hook-and-loop, a solution that makes it incredibly easy to slip in or take them off, while still ensuring reliable water protection.

Shower Pass Club Shoes Covers

SPECS

Material	waterproof nylon
Closure	hook and loop
Use	touring, commuting, riding in bad weather
Warranty	limited lifetime

For those who need a cleat-compatible shoe cover that could double as an everyday commuting overshoe and also perform well on a rough cycle trip, Shower Pass has sorted it out for you.

Showers Pass knows how to make their stuff waterproof, those cheap cycling overshoes will fulfill their purpose without the glitter of other brands, but for a cheaper price and with unmatched versatility.

The Club Shoe Cover can be worn over your sneakers, boots, cycling shoes, or even on fancy leather shoes in case you’re cycling to a formal meeting on a rainy day.

USHTH Waterproof Rain Boot

SPECS

Material:	100% PVC
Use:	cycle touring, bikepacking

If you couldn’t care less about aerodynamics but really want the maximum weather protection possible, and also you don’t want to sell a kidney, this is definitely a great pair of overshoes.

For only about 15$, these are the cheapest shoe covers on this list, and honestly a great bang for the buck for bikepackers and cycle travelers.

100% made of high-elastic PVC material, they run tall all the way up to the knee, for total waterproofness even on the rainiest days.

They feature top plastic straps for a tight fit, safety reflectors on the heel, and a user-friendly full-length waterproof zipper.

They can be used for much more than cycling, they are great for hiking, fishing, gardening, and whatever activity you might want to do in the wet.