Prendas Ciclismo Meraklon Oversocks

These oversocks – call them Belgian booties, if you like – are about as simple as they get, adding shoe protection and a little warmth on those days when a full overshoe would be excessive.

In common with other oversocks, these don’t offer a whole lot of insulation – they’re made from 100% knitted polyester (Meraklon) a lot like most cycle socks, so wind blows through fairly easily. They do provide an extra layer over your ankles, which can be handy on cool-weather rides, without messing up the fit of your shoes, and they keep grit and spray from the road off your expensive Sidis. And, unlike your shoes, these can go through the washing machine.

The Prendas oversocks come with a hole up front for your cleat and another at the heel, both of them stitched around to stop them fraying straightaway. There's no reinforcement so the fabric will eventually get tatty if you walk far in these so don’t see them as a long-term investment – they’ll last weeks or months (depending on how much you use them, obviously) rather than years.

The Meraklon fabric is stretchy and simple to get on and off, it’s breathable so your feet don’t get sweaty, and it’s quick to dry. These come in black, blue, red and white, in three different size options, and that’s about it. They do a straightforward job as well as any other oversocks and they’re about half the price of many.

Verdict

A little extra foot warmth and shoe protection at an excellent price