Spatz Pro Stealth overshoe review: Ultimate overshoe protection

In November last year, I reviewed the Spatz Fasta overshoes, but this time around I’m reviewing that model’s bigger brother, and the Spatz’ flagship overshoe; the Pro Stealth. Both overshoe models currently sit in our best cycling overshoes guide, and Spatz offerings have been some of the best overshoes on the market since their inception. 

The Pro Stealth is an overshoe ‘system’ from Spatz comprised of a pair of neoprene toe covers, which Spatz calls the Pro Toez, and the Pro Stealth overshoes themselves, which can be worn over the toe covers as a secondary layer to boost foul weather protection or separately depending on the conditions. 

The overshoes are tall, easily covering most of your calves and lower legs, and they are insulated inside which boosts lower leg warmth and protection overall. In overshoe reviews, I tend to say that no overshoe on the market is currently completely impervious to water ingress and warmth wise we all feel the cold differently, but the Pro Stealth overshoes are comfortably one of the very best options out there right now. 

The system has a retail price of £104.99 / $131.99 / €125.99 and Spatz claims there has never been an overshoe like this before. I’ve been riding in the overshoes for over a year across two winters. 

Design and Aesthetics 

Aesthetics-wise, these overshoes retain the distinctive Spatz styling that has become popular over several years and are a stylish proposition, meaning you can have a great standard of winter protection and still look and feel good, which is always a plus. Spatz has updated its lines with pace over the last few years and several iterations of excellent overshoes have come and gone. You may well have ridden or own the Pro 2 overshoes, and the Pro Stealth builds on that platform. They have less internal insulation than the Pro 2 which was fully insulated inside. The Pro Stealth neoprene appears to be thicker, however.  

Branding is minimal compared to past models, the toe covers have a ‘Spatz ProToez’ wordmark on the forefoot and the overshoe have a ‘Spatz Pro Stealth’ wordmark on the rear of the calves and on the outside of each foot, which helps you differentiate between feet. They come in one colour, but each overshoe is broken up by black, dark grey and textured panels depending on the material.

These overshoes are made in China and are comprised of a few different materials. They are largely neoprene but use different coatings in different areas to improve durability and protect the neoprene from being torn and nicked, which is something original Spatz models were susceptible to. Some panels are kevlar-covered neoprene, some as cordura-covered, and elsewhere the neoprene is nylon-covered. 

On the interior of the overshoes and exterior of the toe covers, silicone aqua seal seams help the two materials grip each other, they certainly seem to ensure a tight fit. On the subject of fit, these overshoes are tight-fitting; Spatz has deliberately tightened things up to help minimise water ingress. The overshoes are easy to pull on, and once you are familiar, you will only get quicker. The toe covers are the slightly tricky ones for me, they are tight. I’ve been testing a M/L pair of overshoes with a range of EU 43 shoes, and they have been tight across the board. It’s no big deal, and practice makes perfect, but sit down and allocate a few minutes when you’re getting changed to get them on properly.

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The front and sides of the calves have added insulation in the inside of each overshoe in the form of light fleece, it all contributes to keeping your lower legs a lot more comfortable on long, freezing days.

As you would expect from a top-level overshoe, all the seams are sealed very well, so water breaching the overshoes in heavy rain or spray is a non-issue. Tough-covered neoprene sections can also be found at the toe box and heel sides for protection when walking and from crank rub, and after months of use mine still look like new which is reassuring.

Putting them on is similar to other past models: Pull the overshoe on, then put your shoe on, fit the Pro Toez cover if you are wearing them, and then pull the overshoe down and over your shoe, fastening is then done with a sturdy velcro tab. It’s easy to do and Spatz has instructions on the website to help.

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Performance 

It’s easy to forget sometimes just how good modern winter cycling kit is. I remember the days of freezing, painful feet on winter rides and they have been largely banished to memory now. I can’t really remember the last time I had frozen feet on a ride. Of course, there will be exceptions, but unless you pick the wrong kit or are riding in properly extreme conditions, cold, wet feet are almost a thing of the past.

The Spatz Pro Stealth system provides a massive amount of protection for your feet and legs during cold and wet winter miles, let’s break it down into the two main jobs overshoes need to do: Keep your feet warm, and keep them dry. 

First up is warmth, and somewhat unsurprisingly the Pro Stealth do a fantastic job of keeping your feet warm and insulated. Neoprene isn’t a brilliant insulator on its own, but the added insulation inside the overshoe leg sections is certainly a welcome addition. I’ve used these overshoes on some bleak rides for hours at just above freezing and they have done a great job, a recent ride was on a day when the rest of the club run just decided to stay in bed one freezing, cold Saturday morning.  

These are great overshoes, but warmth isn’t otherworldly for me, don’t expect constantly toasty, warm feet when using this system. I have had slightly cold toes on occasion at just above freezing, and perhaps the tight fit takes away from the warmth offering slightly. For temperatures around 5C / 41F and above, I’d say most riders are going to be very comfortable in them. The wet and warm effect will take place, and your legs and feet will sweat slightly in the overshoes and even end up a little damp depending on how hard you are riding, the key is that it will be warm though. I removed the overshoes at the end of three bleak hours with damp bibtights and socks, but largely warm, comfortable feet. I’d call that a win, but that’s what you should expect at this price point. 

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The waterproofing of the Spatz Pro Stealth overshoes is very good. The neoprene itself does an excellent job, and the seam sealing is also top-notch across the board which keeps lots of water at bay. The tall height of the overshoes means the majority of spray from a wheel hits the neoprene at shin level and just runs down, not over the top of the overshoe to soak your bibtights, which will work down into your shoe and feet, as with plenty of other overshoes which don’t extend as high.

The tight fit of the Pro Toez covers also does an excellent job at keeping water at bay from underneath, often a weak spot on overshoes, if you are heading out into the rain, the Pro Toez will add extra protection from rain and spray and I’d recommend using them as well. Add mudguards into the mix and you’re laughing.

I have experienced a little bit of minor crank rub from the full system when using a slightly wider pair of shoes, so this is something to bear in mind, but his is going to depend on your cleat and shoe setup mostly.

Durability-wise, my test pair has stood up very well to over a year of regular use. The only wear I can see is around the cleat opening on my clipping-in foot on the Pro Toez cover, there also seems to be a slight tear in the silicone seal due to the tight fit but it’s minimal. I saw a friend’s pair recently that had been used day in and day out for commuting for over a year and they were in a sorry state, so it will pay to try to look after them as much as you can. Spatz recommends hosing the overshoes down if they are really mucky and letting them hang to dry in a warm place. I’ve found when mine have been sweaty inside they take a while to dry out, so bear this in mind, the neoprene could end up getting a bit stinky if you slack on the post-ride kit cleanup and drying.

Value 

I think if you’re looking for top-class winter protection this represents money well spent. Used together the system is very capable and you’re investing in your own comfort. 

The value factor is also boosted by the included toe covers, which can be used on their own, or under another pair of overshoes if you want to wear something lighter for example. 

Verdict 

The Pro Stealth overshoes are another successful chapter in the Spatz overshoe story. If I’m heading out for a cold, windy and bleak winter ride, this is what I’m reaching for right now, especially when riding at lower intensity. The dual layer keeps you more protected, and crucially the tight toe cover fit boosts waterproofing from underneath. 

Protection is the word I think of when it comes to these overshoes. The overall protection on offer from cold and wet pretty much beats anything else on the market right now.