Which overshoes are best?

Shoes are designed to protect your feet, but what protects your shoes? Even if they’re made with weatherproof materials or coated with water-repellent spray, shoes still risk damage in rain and snow. To keep them dry and intact, try overshoes.

As their name implies, overshoes slip over footwear to keep out water, moisture, dirt, or road salt. They’re genuine time savers since overshoes eliminate the need to change in and out of different shoes. This helps you pack lighter, too, since nobody enjoys lugging around rain or snow boots on the way to school or the office.

Considerations when choosing overshoes

Weather

Overshoes are designed to help you get around in wet weather. Lightweight designs are intended for light rain, while more durable designs are better in snow. Overshoes have their limits, though — they don’t take the place of proper footwear designed for prolonged exposure.

Terrain

While overshoes fare well in wet weather, they’re not the best to wear across mixed or challenging terrain. They lack the support and structure necessary when walking across uneven ground, which may result in injury. For that reason, overshoes are often used for walking short distances across parking lots or sidewalks.

Compatible footwear

Overshoes fit over most flat-sole footwear such as boots, flats, or sneakers. Unfortunately, there aren’t any overshoes on the market suitable for heeled or platform shoes. While some are available, they’re not considered safe or comfortable to wear on slick ground.

Sizing

Unlike regular footwear, overshoes aren’t sold in traditional shoe sizes. Instead, you need to refer to the manufacturer’s chart to find the right size. While it’s recommended to measure the length and width of your feet, it’s better to measure the footwear you intend to wear with overshoes to achieve the best fit.

Popular styles of overshoes

Boot

Boot-style overshoes are designed to cover the shaft of boots. They’re made with weather-resistant materials like nylon and are equipped with adjustable details to customize the fit. Boot styles are known for their pronounced treads, making them suitable for wear in muddy conditions.

Mid- and high-top

Mid- and high-top overshoes are usually worn over sneakers or low-cut footwear. They’re made with thick PVC vinyl or rubber. Because they’re lightweight and easy to pack, they remain a perennial favorite among commuters.

Overshoes price

Lightweight overshoes made of PVC cost $20 and below. Overshoes made with fairly durable rubber traction outsoles run closer to $40. High-cut overshoes that can be worn in extreme weather conditions, including snow and heavy rain, cost as much as $50-$80.

Overshoes FAQ

Q. How do I clean overshoes?

A. It’s easy to spot clean overshoes with either gentle dish soap or detergent. For deeper cleaning, you may need to scrub the overshoes with a harsher soap. It’s not recommended to immerse overshoes or put them in the washing machine, as moisture can get trapped in crevices and cause mold or mildew growth.

Overshoes we recommend

Top overshoes

NEOS’ 15-Inch Adventurer All-Season Waterproof Overshoes

What you need to know: This is an excellent option if you need to trek through snow, rain or messy conditions.

What you’ll love: They are easy to put on and take off. They are designed to fit over most footwear, including hiking boots.

What you should consider: Water may seep in if you’re submerged in water.

Worth checking out

Tingley’s Men’s Storm Stretch Overshoe

What you need to know: It has an all-rubber design that far outlasts other overshoes made with different materials.

What you’ll love: The highly textured outsoles have great grip on sidewalks. They’re contoured to fit over some low-heeled or platform shoes.

What you should consider: These run pretty small, so size up.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.