Spatz Fasta Lite Overshoes

The Spatz Fasta Lite Overshoes seem to be designed for the specific nature of the harsh British winter. They retain what made the original Spatz overshoes so good but are more versatile with no Velcro or zip, while still being easy to put on. I believe these are now the best overshoes for winter riding.

Features

Spatz first released an overshoe for public purchase in 2017, following a series of personal creations by founder and former professional racer Tom Barras. His aim was to improve comfort and warmth when riding through the harsh winters of the Yorkshire Dales. I have been a fan since I first tested the Spatz Roadman 2 in late 2020.

The Roadman versions have now been discontinued and replaced with newer models, including the two-piece Pro Stealth and the version tested here, the Fasta Lite, which is available in a UCI legal shorter height version and also a long version.

To be classed as UCI legal, the overshoe cannot extend beyond mid-calf or, in more technical terms, “may not extend above the midpoint between the centre of the lateral malleolus (ankle bone) and the centre of the fibula head (knee joint)” – UCI regulation 1.3.033.

The long version ignores this restriction and is designed to extend the full length of the lower leg, finishing below the knee. This extra length comes at a premium, with the lower UCI legal version priced at £74.99 and the long version at £94.99.

They are available in three sizes: Small (EU38-42), Medium-Large (EU43-45) and L-XL (EU46-49).

Spatz says the Fasta Lite has, “ripped up the drawings and created a whole new overshoe category,” and there is a clear distinction compared with more typical overshoes. The Fasta Lite is made from 1mm neoprene which offers greater stretch than most alternatives. It also features 15cm silicone seals running vertically inside, designed to grip the tight or leg, along with two silicone aqua seals to minimise water ingress from below.

Performance

Despite being close to the upper limit of a size bracket and using wide-fit Lake shoes, Spatz recommended that I remain within the suggested size range, and this proved to be the right decision.

For riders unfamiliar with Spatz, they need to be fitted differently from other overshoes. They are pulled onto the leg before putting on the shoe, and then wrapped over the top. With no Velcro or zip, the Fasta Lite must then be stretched over the shoe. It may take a few attempts to get used to this, but the process is quick and straightforward, and these are easier than the two-piece Stealth Pro version thanks to the increased stretch.

Once in place, the thin material means they are barely noticeable. While I never found previous, thicker versions uncomfortable, the lighter feel here is evident.

In heavy rain or on very wet roads, I found that my feet still got wet. They do not claim to be waterproof however and on damp days when the roads are not covered, they provide noticeable coverage and protection. While the Fasta Lite does not claim significant cold-weather insulation, I also found they helped keep my feet warmer in lower temperatures. I combined them with thin winter socks into single figures, and with a thicker merino wool winter sock to 5 degrees.

Compared with the thicker, two-piece Pro Stealth, there is a difference in warmth provided to both the foot and the leg. However, longer knee-length winter socks are a simple way to improve warmth, and I find the biggest source of heat loss in very cold conditions is the sole of the shoe.

I used the overshoes for several months through some terrible winter weather and found they held up well. They are easy to put on, remove and clean after muddier rides. For longer-term use, the small, protected area on the toe should help reduce wear. Neoprene generally offers excellent durability, and while I expect they may stretch over time, the absence of a zip or Velcro, which is where previous Spatz overshoes have worn out, suggests they should last longer. The main concern is the thinner material and the risk of ripping them on something sharp, so I will avoid using them off-road for that reason.

Comparison and overall

Spatz claims the Fasta Lite are the best overshoes on the planet, and while I have not used every option available, they are the best I have tried – aside from the very coldest days when the extra thermal protection of thicker designs is welcome. That includes previous Spatz models.

The only real downside is the price. £75 for a pair of overshoes that feel thin and offer limited thermal benefit is expensive and the additional £20 for the long version seems excessive for a relatively small increase in material.

The Spatz Pro Stealth, which consists of toe warmers and a knee-length overshoe, costs £125.

Spatz is not alone in premium pricing, although most similarly priced alternatives focus more on thermal protection, such as the GripGrab Arctic 2 Waterproof Deep Winter Road Shoe Covers at £70, the Sportful Deep Winter Shoe Covers at £90 and the Castelli Unlimited Shoe Covers at £75 – all of which are ankle-height overshoes.

The Assos After Snow Booties are the most comparable, with a knee-height and zip-less construction, and cost £110.

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As a rider who continues to head out in whatever conditions the British weather delivers, overshoes are an essential piece of kit for me, and Spatz has been my go-to brand for several years. While they are not as warm as the Stealth Pro, I have found the Fasta Lite Overshoes more versatile, easier to fit, and with no zip or Velcro I expect they will last longer, making them my top choice for almost all winter riding.