Rapha Neoprene Overshoes

Price: £55
Sizes available: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large
Material: 100% Neoprene
Care: Machine wash 40º

With harsh conditions really starting to set in now the serious winter cyclist needs to think about getting a pair of overshoes to try and keep some of the elements out. In theory overshoes should keep the rain out and also reduce the wind blowing into your shoes and turning your toes to icicles. In practice, if it is really blowing a storm then nothing will keep your feet warm and dry but Rapha's overshoes will make a pretty good attempt at doing so.

Made from 100% neoprene, the overshoe fitted tightly over my road shoe with holes well placed for the cleat and heel of the shoe. They zip up at the back and then have an additional velcro fastening, which apparently reduces the strain on the zip. The black colour looks very elegant but I was also grateful for the Rapha log on the outside of the foot and the reflective tab on the heel to give a bit more visibility on a grey winter's day.

I rode a 100 mile sportive in them in wet and windy conditions with driving rain for the first two hours. They kept my feet dry until about an hour from the end when we had to cross a large flooded part of a road and I had no choice but to totally submerge one foot, which was never going to be protected by an overshoe. However the neoprene dried quickly after that and was almost totally dry by the end of the sportive, unlike my sock which was still soaking!

This is definitely the luxury end of the overshoe market but if you have the money to spend then these are a great item to own.

Declaration: Richard Hutchinson paid the full price for his Rapha overshoes and did not receive them as a review item.

Click through to the Neoprene overshoes page on Rapha's website