Craft Neoprene Bootie

The Craft Neoprene Bootie is a simple overshoe made from, you guessed it, neoprene, with a full zip rear closure and Velcro tab underfoot. The seams that run down the top of the overshoe and around the toe section are taped for increased waterproofing, while the toe and heel are reinforced with Kevlar to improve durability. The large Craft logos along the side, and the thin strip of reflective material which runs parallel to the zip ensure decent visibility in low light.

The mid-thickness neoprene (approximately 3mm) results in an overshoe which can cope with temperatures down to the mid single digits. For anything colder, or if you're prone to getting cold feet, then you'll need something a bit more substantial. The cuff section is also a little shorter than some other overshoes which did lead to some unsightly (and cold) gaps between overshoe and bib tight.

The trade-off is that the Booties are quite light and don't interfere with the pedalling action which is sometimes an issue with thicker overshoes.

When it comes to waterproofing, the neoprene material and sealed seams should ensure that your feet stay dry. However, the lack of sole to the overshoe means that road spray has easy access to any vents in your shoe, which will result in wet feet. Even on dry rides with road spray the only moisture around, I found that my feet still got damp.

The decision to use a Velcro strap instead of a continuous sole doesn't really add much utility to the Bootie either, as you still end up putting it on in exactly the same way. The only real advantage seems to be that you can remove your shoes without removing the overshoe, but is this really necessary?

In addition, the Velcro strap means that the fit is less secure overall. The toe section has a tendency to ride up over the shoe when pushing off from a stop or when walking. This trait was especially annoying on mountain bike rides when I had to dismount to open gates, or to push round a particularly muddy section.

On the plus side, the Booties have proven very durable, given that on recent mountain bike rides, more time was spent pushing through the snow than actually riding. The lugs on mountain bike shoes tend to eat up overshoes, but the Booties don't show any sign of damage. For road duties, they should last a good while.

Verdict

Do an ok job of keeping the wind off your feet, but for serious winter riding, or riding in the wet there are better options out there