Spatz have evolved through countless cold wet miles in The Yorkshire Dales. They are designed from necessity.

Spatz are the brainchild of professional cyclist and NFTO team manager Tom Barras. Tom needed a solution to cold, wet feet whilst cycling. In the winter of 2006 he put pen to paper and developed early prototypes, but the right materials were not available yet. The project was shelved until Tom retired from cycling competitively.

Fast forward to the winter of 2016, Tom met a famous triathlete in Ilkley, Yorkshire for a standard Wednesday bike ride. It was freezing cold and the roads were flooded. But they need to ride for 4 hours. They needed to train. As the rain ran down their faces and the wind gathered, they headed out up Wharfedale.

The triathlete's feet were wet and cold as the spray from his front wheel ran down his shins and into his shoes. Tom’s feet were warm and dry. Tom’s overshoes were hugely different. Tom was wearing Spatz prototypes he’d made on his dining room table. He hid them under his cycling tights to keep them away from prying eyes.

The triathlete thought the prototypes were revolutionary. A game changer. He wanted to be part of Spatzwear.  A partnership was born between Burnsall and Grassington.

Tom developed the prototypes using his sewing machine and glue. The triathlete donated some fabrics. 10 generations of prototypes evolved; each sleeker, warmer, more ergonomic and more aerodynamic than the last. They were able to train in the cold and wet without cold feet being a problem. If you can train more than your competition - you’ll beat them.

Between the two of them, they developed an overshoe system which will allow you to train longer and further than your competitors in cold wet conditions. Spatz will shield your lower legs and feet from the elements like no other product. 

With the pair looking to scale in 2018, Ivan Eustace joined the team. An Irish serial entrepreneur with a sharp mind for supply chain logistics, Ivan brought fresh energy and experience that helped transform the brand’s reach. Together, they shared a bold dream; to create a brand that would redefine cycling apparel and reach every corner of the world.


Together, they assembled a diverse team spread across continents. They cultivated a network of distributors and retailers worldwide. Spatzwear now ship to over 100 countries, reaching cyclists in every corner of the globe. Tom remains at the heart of product development, constantly pushing the boundaries to deliver innovation that make Spatzwear stand out. The result? A cycling apparel range so innovative, considered and comfortable, you won’t even notice you’re wearing it. But you’ll be glad you are.

This is Spatzwear. Cutting edge apparel, designed by lifetime cyclists and chosen by the best riders in whe world.