Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    FeedTheHabit.com
    • Home
    • Gear Reviews
      • Road & Gravel
      • Mountain Biking
      • Bike Commuting
      • Trail Running
      • Skiing
      • Outdoors
      • Water Sports
      • Vehicles
    • News
    • Trip Reports
    • Videos
    FeedTheHabit.com
    Gear Reviews

    Review: Castelli Tempesta Shoe Covers

    Jason MitchellBy Jason MitchellDecember 28, 20151 Comment4 Mins Read

    Shoe covers come in all sorts of fabrics. Some are thick and bulky for cold weather and others are only thin wind barriers. The Castelli Tempesta Shoe Covers promise ultimate weather protection and sufficient warmth for near-freezing temperatures.

    Castelli Tempesta Shoe Covers Features:

    • 4-way stretch water-repellent nylon outer shell
    • Absolutely waterproof OutDry® technology membrane
    • Ultralight waterproof zipper
    • Neoprene cuff for easy on/off and secure fit around the ankle
    • Open bottom to work with all types of cleats
    • Reflective print at the back and center front
    • Cordura® sole
    • MSRP: $99.95

    Hincapie Arenberg Zero Bib Tights Review

    Cover ’em or lose ’em

    Come winter, there’s no way around it — shoe covers are a necessity. While some can brave the cold, my tootsies don’t do so well in the cold. It doesn’t take long for my toes to freeze and from there, I’m miserable. But, warmth only goes so far if your feet are also wet. So, Castelli is aiming to solve both problems with the Tempesta Shoe Covers, decked out with OutDry for the ultimate in protection. These are a great companion to the Tempesta Gloves, reviewed earlier.

    If you’re not familiar with OutDry, you should be. There are a myriad of waterproof/breathable membranes on the market, but only OutDry boasts a seamless design that’s permanently attached to the outer layer. Since the membrane is seamless, there’s no need for bulky seam tape. While this is more important for gloves, like the Tempesta Gloves, it also comes into play for shoe covers so they can move more fluidly with every pedal stroke.

    The Tempesta’s feature a burly nylon shell with Cordura soles for durability. I’m extremely impressed with the overall build quality and expect these to stand up for several years. The neoprene cuff makes for a comfortable, but snug transition to my bib tights or even bare legs when used with bib knickers (like the Castelli NanoFlex Bib Knickers). Not all shoe covers do well against bare skin, but these certainly do not cause any issues for me.

    The XL's are a snug fit on my size 45 shoes. No cleat interference whatsoever.
    The XL’s are a snug fit on my size 45 shoes. No cleat interference whatsoever.

    When these first arrived, I looked at the size XL with wonder. The tag certainly said XL, but they don’t look anything like an XL shoe cover. I’m a size 45 shoe (Bontrager XXX Road Shoes) and these are downright snug. You definitely need to make use of the Velcro closure and pull these suckers on with a fair bit of effort. Sometimes I wondered if I’d cause the zipper to mis-track or something, but it has held up to repeated, self-inflicted abuse and just keeps on zipping.

    Once in place, they don’t interfere with any normal pedaling movements and don’t feel bunchy or uncomfortable. I will say that the upper material is pretty thick and prevents me from using Boa ratchets — something I don’t usually have problems with using other shoe covers. I can dial them still, but it’s not done with as much ease and can’t be done on-the-fly.

    The Good

    • Wicked-durable
    • OutDry is the real deal
    • Nice and warm — sometimes too toasty
    • Comfortable with bib tights or bare skin
    • Reflective material for visibility

    The Bad

    • Run really small (my size 45’s were tight with XL’s)
    • Difficult to put on

    The Bottom Line: Castelli Tempesta Shoe Covers

    Shoe covers are a necessity if you want to keep riding in the winter or when the weather goes south. The Tempesta’s have a ton going for them — durable uppers, OutDry and comfortable fit. Just remember to upsize and be ready for a bit of a stretch to get them on.

    Buy Now: Visit CompetitiveCyclist.com

     

    The Verdict

    9.3 Waterproof & Durable

    Castelli knows how to make foul weather gear and the Tempesta Shoe Covers deliver excellent protection in a durable package. Just remember to size up.

    • Durability 9
    • Protection 10
    • Comfort 9
    24
    SHARES
    ShareTweet
    castelli Shoe Covers
    Previous ArticleEditor’s Choice: 2015 Gear of the Year
    Next Article Timberland Waterproof Wodehouse Chukka Review
    Jason Mitchell
    • Website
    • X (Twitter)

    A native of the Pacific Northwest, Jason quickly developed a love for the outdoors and a thing for mountains. That infatuation continues as he founded this site in 1999 -- sharing his love of road biking, mountain biking, trail running and skiing. That passion is channeled into every article or gear review he writes. Utah's Wasatch Mountains are his playground.

    You Might Also Like

    The North Face Wander 1/4 Zip Review

    October 2, 2023

    Ornot Micro Grid Jersey Review

    September 29, 2023

    Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody Review

    September 27, 2023

    1 Comment

    1. Rizwan on June 29, 2022 12:10 am

      It’s an amazing article about shoe covers. Riders have to need to choose the best shoe covers to protect their shoes.

      Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Most Popular
    8.9

    Zipp 303 S Carbon Wheelset Review

    November 4, 2021
    9.2

    SRAM Rival XPLR eTap AXS Groupset Review

    August 12, 2022

    SRAM Rival/GX AXS Mullet Gravel Kit Review

    September 17, 2021

    Suunto 9 Peak Pro Watch Review

    August 21, 2023
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 TLR Wheelset Review

    June 18, 2020
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 TLR Wheelset Review

    September 9, 2021

    Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro 2 Review

    September 25, 2023

    Montec Fawk Ski Jacket and Bib Review

    February 28, 2022
    9.6

    Trek Domane SLR 9 AXS Gen 4 Review

    May 10, 2023

    Moosejaw Ice Fort 25 Quart Hard Cooler Review

    May 17, 2023
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Advertisement
    Our Latest Posts
    • The North Face Wander 1/4 Zip Review
    • Ornot Micro Grid Jersey Review
    • Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody Review
    • Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro 2 Review
    • Italian Endurance: Pinarello Launches Dogma X
    • Gore Wear TrailKPR Gloves Review
    • Velocio Ombre Ultralight Mesh Jersey Review
    • Review: Osmo Power Fuel Mix
    • Fresh Wheels: Fulcrum Wind 42 and Wind 57 Wheelsets
    • Elitewheels Drive G45 Gravel Wheelset Review
    About Us
    About Us

    Since 1999, we have delivered in-depth gear reviews, articles and content. We feature a small staff of savvy, experienced writers who love to review outdoor gear.

    External links to Amazon, REI, Backcountry and other retailers include affiliate codes that give us a small commission on each sale.

    To contact us or learn more, go to our About Us page.

    © FeedTheHabit.com 1999 - 2023. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.