The Waterproof Cycle Oversocks by SealSkinz are a brilliant addition to the regular road cyclists or cycle commuters wardrobe, particularly if you get chilly feet. They’re great for those rain-likely autumn and spring days, and will help keep your feet dry and warm even if the weather is on the ‘British Summer Time’ setting.

SealSkinz are a well established name in the world of waterproof accessories. The British company have been producing garments with their proprietary stretchy waterproof membrane for over 30 years, and even supply kit to the British Army, no less. Their waterproof socks are a staple product of the cyclist in the know, but they also have a range of other items that are equally handy including gloves, hats and oversocks.

The Cycling Oversocks are, as the name might suggest, large stretchy socks that you pop on over the top of your cycling shoes. They have an open bottom, to allow the cleat on the bottom of the shoe to make contact with the pedal, and the base of the heel of the foot is also open. I wasn’t sure initially how far up the back the hole was supposed to sit, but it just needs to allow the bottom of the sole to show through and keep the rest of the shoe covered.

Worn on a cold, windy day, I found they kept the breeze out brilliantly, and my toes warm. Normally I’m quite susceptible to cold toes in my road shoes, so this was great. I’ve also worn them on a warmer, wet day. They kept the wet out, and were also surprisingly breathable. I have yet to try them for a long ride in really heavy rain, but I’ll report back when I do.

One of the things I like about these socks is that they are versatile. I’ve used things like neoprene shoe covers before and found them a bit of a faff to put on, but these are quick and easy to slip on. I’ve ended up using these on perfectly dry but chilly rides just to provide a bit of insulation.

A downside I’ve found is that the knitted fabric does begin to wear if you walk a lot in them, which is perhaps not surprising. On the other hand, they are reasonably priced, easy to clean, and come with a 2 year guarantee.

Size-wise, these stretchy socks come in 3 sizes; small/medium, large and extra large. I’m a UK women’s size 7 so I opted for the small/medium size, which fitted perfectly.

All in all, these easy-to-use overshoes are a great addition to your cycling wardrobe, particularly if you are prone to cold feet.

Price: RRP £35
Size: small/medium, large, extra large
More info: SealSkinz