Roadtrackworld- winter overshoes and bib advice

Morning all,

Just got back from a bit of zone 2 training and my toes have nearly fallen off.

I’ve got some great winter mtb kit but am clueless about road brands.

Can anyone recommend me some good winter full length bib tights and some overshoes that will keep the elements out and my toes warm for the next 2-3 months.

I don’t normally ride road through winter but am entering the Fred Whitton Ballot so training’s got to start ASAP!

Thanks in advance

Altura/Endura will see you right. good value and easy to find. They seem to be reasonable sizing too compared to the italians roadie brands.

Over shoes can be a nightmare, Sizing seems to be lucky dip. Have a look at planet x they do cheap ones that will see you through the winter. also come in packs with socks, buff and gloves.

If you can afford gore-tex mob shoes then go for it. Best investment i’ve ever made.

Dhb Wiggles own brand is good at the mid and top end. Sportful also good. My favourite tights are lusso.

I find overshoes never quite keep everything out, especially in the wet. In terms of cold prevention though, I’ve been using these:
https://www.roostersailing.com/pd/Hot-Socks_105321.htm?ne=AQAAABQAAAAECEZvb3R3YXJl

with these:
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLPXSPOS/planet-x-flanders-oversocks

and then these on top!
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLPXOSH/planet-x-neoprene-overshoes

Need roomy shoes for the hot socks though…I wear them over normal socks.

Needless to say, my feet stay warm.

Ref bib tights, I just go with normal bib shorts and leg warmers.

Dhb Wiggles own brand is good at the mid and top end. Sportful also good. My favourite tights are lusso.

Dhb Wiggles own brand is good at the mid and top end. Sportful also good. My favourite tights are lusso.

Not waterproof but as a cold feet sufferer Gore Thermal Windproof overshoes are toasty.

The bright yellow hi viz shimano neoprene (S3000 ones) overshoes are good.. IMO hi viz and reflectives work much better with moving body parts such as hands and feet.
Spray anti perspirant deodorant on your feet before going out to stop them sweating and getting colder. Planet X for the cheap thicky merino socks.
Big fan of Morvelo stormshield bibs. Castelli nano are good too.

Thanks for all the input so far. Will do some shopping. If anyone knows any good sale offers at the min then please do post up.

Thanks again

PX for cheap neoprene overshoes. Wear toe caps underneath if it’s really cold along with merino socks.
Decathlon for tights.
Or winter shorts and leg/knee warmers.

Wear thick socks and don’t over-tighten your shoes; that should help with cold feet without having to spend any money.

I haven’t worn overshoes for quite a few years, they’re a bit of a faff and just feel heavy and clunky. I use these things nowadays

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/dhb-toe-cover-overshoe-aw16/rp-prod154954?gs=1&gclid=CLyyxPD_oNECFQyeGwode34FMA&gclsrc=aw.ds

Saying that, I’ve yet to wear them this winter either. Although there’s been a couple of says where I wish I had.

Best thing you can do is put some mudguards on your bike.

Bib tights-
Morvelo Stormshield
Bioracer Spitfire Winter Protect (amazing)
Pearl Izumi Amfib

Shoes- Northwave Celsius Artic GTX

Overshoes-
Pearl Izumi Softshell MTB

Socks-
Prendas winter socks
Madison Isoler Merino (great thick sock)
Snap On merino socks

If your SPD shoes have got alloy toe studs for grip, take them out and fit the blanking screws back in.

BBB heavy duty overshoes.

And merino socks – DeFeet Woolie Boolie are the best I have, cheaper options are available of course.

I wear padded undershorts with padless roubaix-lined biblongs, see what’s in the sales.

Endura for overshoes for me. Their normal road neoprene ones are good. Got their winter ones which are also good but stiffer and can be a pain to get on. Tried a few others but always seem to end up back with Endura for overshoes. Those and a pair of woolie boolie socks.

For bib tights in winter, well worth getting some pad less roubaix ones that you can wear over your normal bib shorts. DHB are as good as any if on a budget.

Was out this morning myself and was toasty in my Planet-X Roubaix bib longs and cheapo Aldi neoprene overshoes (although I also have Endura ones that work just as well). Warm socks also definitely help.

Probably would have been warm in summer riding gear today though – was the first time riding the bike with the power meter fitted so was pushing pretty hard to get a rough idea of my ftp.

Long merino socks under bib tights along with Castelli toe things. Don’t do your shoes up too tightly! I also have Saudi winter boots, but the above combination saw me through all last winter. For waterproof you need Velotoze and some outer insulation.

Roubaix are good for trapping the air, but when it gets really cold you will need something windproof like Castelli nanoflex or Pearl Izumi Am Fib.

Roubaix are good for trapping the air, but when it gets really cold you will need something windproof like Castelli nanoflex or Pearl Izumi Am Fib.

Usually go for windproof nanoflex style bib shorts under Roubaix unpadded bib longs. Is warm but doesn’t seem as resteictive as nanoflex style longs.

My experience with overshoes is that expensive ones aren’t really any better than cheaper ones apart from maybe being a bit nicer to put on/off.

I think if you can find the BBB heavy duty ones at a good price they seem to be well made and easy to use. Worth getting a few sizes as the size guides on overshoes seem to be generated at random.

Altura – flimsy crap in my experience. Permanently on sale at half price, and with good reason. Got a pair of 3/4s that have worn badly on the seat, and some tights that did similar on the front.

Buy padless tights and wear 3/4s underneath, you then have 2 layers of fabric over your pelvis/thighs/knees which makes a massive difference (and you can wear them for a few days as you’re changing the layer next to your skin daily). I’ve commuted all winter and done the Festive 500, had regular mornings when it’s been around -7C wearing Roubaix tights over non-roubaix shorts or 3/4s, and have only suffered tingly fingers as I’ve recently bought new winter gloves which aren’t quite as insulated as my old ones.

FWIW I like Castelli tights, currently on sale for 50 quid at Evans

https://www.evanscycles.com/castelli-velocissimo-2-bib-tight-EV247536

Woolie Boolie socks with Castelli Pioggia 3 overshoes, not cheap but easily the best combination I’ve tried.