Dedicated cyclists don’t let opportunities to ride pass them by, even when the clouds are rolling in or rain soaks their favorite route. When the weather looks dismal, they suit up, anyway, and get ready for a good workout. The right pair of overshoes can make these rainy, snowy, or muddy rides more comfortable by keeping feet dry.

Waterproofing is an important criterion to consider for cyclists. Some claim to prevent water infiltration but when put to the test, act more like sponges than safeguards. As such, it’s important to carefully consider the materials of construction to determine if the overshoes are ones to keep your feet dry or welcome in moisture.

Many overshoes are made from neoprene or neoprene blends, which are a type of synthetic rubber and have waterproof qualities. Other overshoes may be made from unique fabric blends designed to wick water away.

Overall, there are a few options in terms of water protection, and the best thing to do is consider your personal preferences in terms of protection needed.

Some may get away with a simple water repellent coating that will cause small amounts of water to bead on the surface of the protective shoe, prolonging the time which you can spend in rain without getting soaked.

Water resistant models will work much better in terms of protection, as they won't let water in, even if it's present in larger quantities. Do note that it won't protect you from puddles if you happen to step in them, and you will need your clothing to be waterproof as well to prevent moisture from getting in from the top portion.

The typical cyclist might reach speeds upwards of 20 miles per hour on a bike. Some may go slower, allowing them to go longer distances or as a warm up or cool down, while others go much faster; the world record for motor-paced cycling on a flat surface was set in 1990, by Fred Rompelberg, when he achieved 167 miles per hour.

In the end, it doesn’t matter whether you’re aiming to beat your personal best or are taking your ride slow and steady for some long-distance gains, you’ll still need to contend with the wind. Even at speeds of 8 miles per hour, you’ll still feel a breeze coming through your shoes if they’re not properly protected. On a cold day, even a small amount of wind on your feet will feel chilling.

A high-quality pair of overshoes provides a shield against the wind, helping you to stay warm throughout your ride. Some shoes have been wind tunnel tested, proving their ability to prevent wind from chilling your toes.

Some of the higher end models listed in this article feature targeted wind protection, and some are even insulated, helping you generate and retain more heat in cold conditions. A good thing to check before making a purchase is the comfort rating of the product you're considering. This should give you a very good idea of the temperatures in which a certain pair may be sufficient.

Another thing to consider when pairing cycling footwear with overshoes is the nature of your shoes - some are more padded, with less perforations, thus being more comfortable for cold conditions, but others feature a lot of ventilation panels that do allow moisture and hot air to get out, but can also allow cold air to get in, lowering your comfort levels in winter. If this is the case with your favorite pair of shoes, you may want to consider getting a more insulated oversho.

Aerodynamics –
Most cyclists have goals, and many of those goals relate to speed. Whether they want to reach a top speed they’ve never experienced on a bike before, or they want to travel more distance on their rides, cyclists aim to achieve fast speeds on their bikes. To do this, they aim to make themselves as aerodynamic as possible, outfitting themselves with slim-fitted shorts, leggings, and jerseys that contribute little drag. The more loose-fitted clothing, the more drag they’ll experience on their ride and, therefore, the more challenging it will be to get up to those faster speeds.

Aerodynamics doesn’t just matter on riders’ arms and legs but they, also, aim to have aerodynamic shoes. The right overshoe will fit snugly over the cyclist’s bike shoes. This contributes to an overall sleek shape that helps when climbing hills and soaring back down them.

Reflective –
There should be some sort of reflective nature to the overshoes you purchase, as this keeps you safer while riding. Weather conditions can change at a moments notice and to have reflective gear on ensures that you can be recognized by others a bit easier. The brain recognizes objects in various methods of understanding (i.e. sound recognition versus movement recognition). The ability to increase another’s awareness of your presence provides safety to not only yourself but others, as well. As such, reflective lettering, logos, and/or pattern designs is an ideal choice when evaluating the best cycling overshoes.

The level of care that was placed into the design of a shoe is one of the main factors that affect its ability to outlast other models of shoe. Seriously, it takes thought to consider all (or most of) the various different possible things that can damage the design of a shoe. It’s up to the designer to prepare for and protect against all of these possible things and the possibility that they occur.

Stitching: Many don’t know this but a shoe stitching can make or break the entire design. The depth that was placed into the stitching and the utter lack of stitching can make or break the design of the shoe. Some shoes come fit with a tighter version of the stitching and don’t have a very hard time providing wearers with what they’d need in terms of quality. On the other hand, some shoes come with very little stitching (no-sew) overlays.
Overlays: Overlays are things that take great care in order to not “mess up”. The introduction or lack thereof of these materials into the design of a shoe can be the difference between a sturdy shoe and a completely flimsy model. With that being said, while not all shoes without overlays are completely flimsy, many shoes with overlays are very well built.

The price of a shoe can sometimes be a deal breaker. That’s part of the reason why footwear manufacturers invest time and energy into creating cost-effective technologies to incorporate into their shoes to make them durable, long-lived, versatile, and inexpensive.

Durability & Longevity
Footwear, usually, lasts more than a few months, because shoes that are going to fall apart after a few months of use aren’t worth the investment of more than a few dollars. Leather and synthetic overlays can be used to make the shoes more durable without sacrificing flexibility. Firm leather or synthetic uppers provide durability and support.

Versatility
Great footwear can be used for more than one activity. Walking and running shoes, for example, can be used in some casual sports. Stylish athletic footwear could be used in informal work environments. Sandals can be used in casual and semi-formal settings. The more situations you can use the shoe in, the more value it offers for the price.

Maintenance
Good footwear is easy to maintain and clean. They don’t require a lot of expensive shoe treatments or time-consuming upkeep. Shoes that need a lot of effort, time and money to maintain, don’t sell as well as shoes which are easier and cost less to keep.

Removable inserts
As mentioned earlier, removable inserts in footwear make it customizable, but that’s not the only bonus to removable inserts. Removable inserts increase the longevity of the shoe, which is why some come with removable inserts.

Cost
A hefty price tag can be a deal-breaker for people on a budget. That’s why many can be found in the low-to-middle price range. They’re affordable, and if they are priced a little higher than others, then they offer many features to make the footwear worth the extra investment.