BTwin Aerofit shoe covers

The BTwin Aerofit shoe covers are designed to offer protection against both wind and water without the bulk and associated insulation properties of full winter overshoes. This combination makes them ideal for racing, or for wet but warm summer rides.

The uppers are constructed from thin, 0.3mm neoprene – itself a wind and waterproof material – with the seams heat welded on the inside. The material is stretchy enough that I was actually able to size down (using size 42 overshoes for my size 46 Bont shoes) in order to achieve a tighter fit at the calf and fewer wrinkles in the material. This should help both from an aerodynamics and a weatherproofing viewpoint, as loose fitting overshoes simply allows water to run down your legs and into your shoes.

You have to care, though, as stretching the already thin neoprene makes it particularly vulnerable to ripping on any protrusions, such as ratchets, on your shoes. Given how overbuilt the rest of the overshoes are, the neoprene is definitely where failure will occur first.

The toe and sole sections are reinforced using a tough, rubbery fabric to aid durability. The seams joining the neoprene upper to these reinforcements aren't sealed, but unless the soles of your shoes have air vents located right under these seams, water ingress shouldn't be a problem here.

The overshoes are closed using a non-waterproof, size 5 YKK zip which runs up the rear and includes reflective detailing on the tape. The spring-loaded zipper itself is nice and big making it easy to handle with gloves, as well as making it tough enough to withstand plenty of abuse.

In use, the waterproofing is about as good as you can expect from such thin overshoes. Road spray doesn't present a problem, but persistent rain will eventually find its way in, probably through the zips or the cleat holes. This makes these overshoes suitable for racing or for milder rides where insulation isn't required. From a purely aesthetic point of view, it would have been nice if the overshoes were a little taller, but that is just my own personal preference.

The snug fit means that the Aerofits work well when used for purely aero purposes, but the neoprene material means that things get clammy rather quickly inside. For anything other than a short time trial (10 miles and under), I'd say most people would find them too warm in anything above 18°C.

Performance wise, the Aerofit overshoes tick most of the boxes, but the quality of construction could definitely be improved. In particular, the seam on the reinforced toe section on one of the booties was a bit skewed, which meant that it pointed out like a sort elf shoe – not the greatest look. Uneven seams in this area will also likely negatively impact the aerodynamics of the overshoe, if one is to be really picky.

At just under £25 for the pair [currently £16.99 - ed], the Aerofits look to be decent value, if not the bargains one usually associates with Decathlon products. For instance, if you shop around, you can find aero overshoes from 'bigger' brands for less. On a more positive note, despite the sometimes questionable build quality, the Aerofits are pretty tough and should last if you take care when putting them on or taking them off.

Verdict

Tight fitting, low bulk overshoes that provide enough weather protection to be useful on wet days