I have been rocking some ghetto aero shoe covers for the last few years and need something that fits better. What’s the best aero shoe covers available? And I need new covers anyways - cause mine don’t match the skinsuit.
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee206/pritchet74/2012DUNLAPTT-.jpg
Thanks in advance!
Jeff
don’t know THE most aero shoe covers, but saw them worn by Jordan Rapp (who else…)
http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Rapp_Anderson_win_Leadman_250_3094.html
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The white ones will go well with your skinsuit.
I presume this is for TTing? In a tri, it wouldn’t be worth the transition time to put on shoe covers.
I recall some discussion of this a few years ago, and a poster who had done some tunnel testing said that lycra covers did not provide any measurable benefit and a rubberized Pearl Izumi cover provided a small benefit. I can’t seem to locate that model any more so not sure what’s best at this point.
Interesting setup, aero road bike converted to TT use. Nice position for a TT, keeping your head down that low in a tri would probably not end well… LOL.
I don’t know if they are the most aero but I use the covers made by Sockguy. I get about a season, 12 to 15 races, out of a pair. They are a PITA to find but they work well. Others are either cheesy and come apart easy or don’t fit right. Pearl Izumi are sized for guys with massive calfs and they were way loose on me.
I would guess that getting a tight fit, without wrinkles, is probably more important than the material.
I think Pearl Izumi changed the rubberized shoe covers from a zipper closure to a pull-on set up. The newer one didn’t seem to fit nearly as we’ll.
Mine just don seem to fit as snug in all the right places as they should. Yes, TT use only. And yes, I swap the stem / handlebars and the seat / seatpost over to change from road bike to TT bike. It only takes 10 minutes. 
I don’t know about fastest but I currently use the Castelli Nano (they only come in black). I use black tape around the top to make sure the zipper does not come down during the race. I am considering changing to the Castelli Aero. They come in white and Black.
I would try to find a pair of the Nike chrome covers. They are rubberized and tested well in the tunnel. Funny thing is the custom tall shoe covers we tested did not perform as well. And they were made from a very similar material as the Nike, just taller. If you look closely in the photo, you can see an example of the Nike cover: http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2010/04/biggest-bang-for-your-buck-in-time-trial-equipment/
Sugoi makes a pretty good one with a zipper. A lot like the Pearl ones, but I find they fit more snug and have a zipper instead of velcro. Also a little bit lower on the calf. Don’t expect any of the rubberized ones to last very long though.
I don’t know about fastest but I currently use the Castelli Nano (they only come in black). I use black tape around the top to make sure the zipper does not come down during the race. I am considering changing to the Castelli Aero. They come in white and Black.
I think that the white Castelli Aero ones may be the ones to get here. The fit looks like it will be good. The look is good too.
The rubberized Pearl Izumi’s are probably the easiest to get that test well in the tunnel.
I have been rocking some ghetto aero shoe covers for the last few years and need something that fits better. What’s the best aero shoe covers available?
Jeff
When we tested using the Alphamantis/Aero tools, we found fabric and fit matter. Some shoe covers decreased drag vs. unshaved legs, and some shoe covers increased drag vs. unshaved legs. The slick-looking Pearl Izumi Barrier Lite covers were one type that decreased my drag and match your kit.
Those Pearl ones are pretty cheap too. I like that.
I think the Pearl Izumi Barrier Lite is very nice and I have used them for a few races.
My opinion is also that they are a lot more aero than a lycra shoe cover.
Last year I used the Castelli Aero Race Shoe Cover, which are lycra, but I definitely prefer the Pearl Izumis.
If money is no object there is another really nice option in the Smart Aero Technology overshoes. Used by a lot of pros like Tony Martin and many others.
Used mine the first time today in a race and they are now on the top of my list of fast overshoes. =)
I have those exact covers: Nike Swift Cycling item supposed to be the fastest cover though I wonder about the “tall” covers now done by Castelli.
Good luck finding a pair!
We tested two pairs of custom high shoe covers that were made by one of the federations and they were both slower…didn’t test the Castelli’s but don’t think they would test much better.
Assos
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Do you happen to have the test results stack ranked?
Mine just don seem to fit as snug in all the right places as they should. Yes, TT use only. And yes, I swap the stem / handlebars and the seat / seatpost over to change from road bike to TT bike. It only takes 10 minutes.
Off topic, but I have no idea how you swap handlebar setup in less than 45 mins. Are you pulling and retreading the brake and gear cables that quickly or am I missing something?
Thanks,
M