Waterproof Overshoes For Racing: Your Options And Key Differences
Racewear accessories guide
Race boots are made for the pedals, not for a wet paddock. A few trips across a muddy service park or a soaking pit lane and a good pair of boots is wet, dirty and wearing out faster than it should.
Waterproof overshoes fix that. They go on over your race boots whenever you are out of the car and come off before you get in. We stock three types, and they differ more than you might think: nylon with straps, plain rubber, and neoprene.
- Overshoes go over race boots for everything except driving
- They keep boots dry and clean and make them last longer
- They stop oil and mud being carried onto the pedals
- OMP: nylon with Velcro straps and a rubber sole
- Sparco slip-on: natural rubber, no straps
- Sparco neoprene: warmer, runs tight, size up
What is on this page
Why use overshoes at all
A race boot has a thin, flexible sole so you can feel the pedals. That same sole wears quickly on gravel and tarmac, and suede soaks up water. Walking round the paddock in your race boots uses them up.
There is a safety reason too. Whatever is on your soles when you get in the car ends up on the pedals, and oil or mud on a brake pedal is the last thing you want. Overshoes keep the boot underneath clean, so you step in with dry, clean soles.
The three types we stock
OMP Waterproof Overshoes. A pull-on nylon cover with a natural rubber sole, an elasticated opening and two Velcro straps across the top to pull it close around the boot. Light and quick to get on. Nylon does not stretch, so if your boots have thick ankle padding, go a size up. Sizes run XS (EU 32 to 34) to XL (EU 45 to 47).
Sparco Slip-On Rubber Overshoes. Sparco list these as natural rubber, with a sole that resists oil and fuel. There are no straps: the rubber stretches over the boot and holds on by itself. They are the simplest to hose down after a muddy event. Sizes S to XL.
Sparco Neoprene Overshoes. Made from neoprene, the material used in wetsuits, so they add some warmth as well as keeping the wet out. They come up over the ankle and close with a wide Velcro flap, with a rubber sole underneath.
They run tight. We have tried them in the showroom and recommend one full size up from your normal shoe size. Sizes run UK 3 to UK 13.
| Overshoe | Material | Fastening | Sizing tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| OMP Waterproof | Nylon, rubber sole | Elastic and two Velcro straps | Size up over padded boots |
| Sparco Slip-On | Natural rubber | None, stretches on | Take the larger if between sizes |
| Sparco Neoprene | Neoprene, rubber sole | Wide Velcro flap | One full size up |
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Using them properly
Take them off to drive. Overshoes are not fire-rated and have no FIA approval. They are for the paddock, the pit lane, the grid walk and the service park, and they come off before you get in the car for a session.
Size them to the boot. Go by the boot you will wear underneath. Garreth’s advice is that if you are between sizes, take the larger: an overshoe that is a struggle to get on is one you will stop using.
Look after them. Dry them out after each event, and check inside rubber overshoes for grit before you pull them on, so small stones do not mark your boots. Take care on smooth wet metal such as trailer ramps, where any sole can slip.
For the rest of your wet weather kit, see our wet weather gloves overview, and our racewear care guide covers drying and cleaning your boots.
Can I drive in waterproof overshoes?
Not in competition. Overshoes are not fire-rated, so take them off before you get in the car for a session.
What size overshoes should I buy?
Size them to the boot you wear underneath, and take the larger size if you are between two.
Do Sparco neoprene overshoes run small?
Yes. They run tight, and we recommend one full size up from your normal shoe size.
What is the difference between the OMP and Sparco overshoes?
The OMP pair is nylon with Velcro straps, the Sparco slip-on is plain rubber, and the Sparco neoprene pair adds warmth with a Velcro flap.
Nylon for light and quick, rubber for mud, neoprene for cold, wet days.
Overshoes are sized to the boot, not the foot. Tell us what you wear and we will pick the right size for you.
