DexShell Heavy Duty Neoprene Water Resistant Cycling Bike Overshoes

Product Information

The Altura Thermostretch Windproof Overshoe have become my preferred choice for both early morning and late evening rides; the reflective detailing is better than on any other overshoe I own. Elsewhere, it's a classic bootie that's well-made and offers excellent protection in cold, damp weather. However, I found the top edge of the cuff a little tight for my liking. Specs

And, if you’re keeping it indoors, here’s everything you need to know about indoor cycling, training apps and the best smart trainers. I will admit to being a bit of a photography geek when out on my bike, regularly getting on and off the bike for shots, so these have had a decent amount of walking to handle too. They aren’t showing a single sign of wear to date. Indeed, all the photos in this review were taken at the end of the test period, rather than the start. Valueis a good deal of cash to splash. Value will depend a great deal on how much you value dry, warm feet in winter and how often you use overshoes. Whilst I’d rate them as just about the best overshoes I have used, there are other considerations, too. The sole has two openings with reinforced elastic edges, and abrasion resistant fabric around the toe and mid-sole areas for durability. Overshoes like these are aimed at cleated shoes. I have used them with brogues, but I’d be careful of damaging the hems on rat-trap pedals.

Technically cycling overshoes aren't designed for trainers or other non-cycling specific footwear. There will no doubt be some options for shoe protection on a bike, but even with a rain cover, your feet will get pretty cold in standard trainers or office shoes. It's certainly worth considering giving a clipless pedal system a try for keeping your feet warm throughout the year, you'll also be very surprised by the difference it makes to your riding. DexShell offer the shoes in sizes S to XL. I’m a size 8/42 so, following their size chart, opted to test a medium. It offers a very snug fit, just what I look for in an overshoe; it keeps drafts and water out and feels cosy too. Only after a couple of hours in continuous rain could I sense dampness. I can't be sure where exactly it was getting in, or if it was penetrating the actual fabric. Certainly, the fabric isn't as good as a smooth surfaced neoprene (which seems impenetrable); water will get through it. Considering the quality and performance, I’d say Altura's are decent value for money. For me, the fit wasn’t as good as with DexShell due to the tight cuff, but this won’t be the case for everyone. The reflective detailing certainly beats DexShell’s.DexShell Heavy Duty Overshoes are described a “Water Resistant, Showerproof, Abrasion Resistant” with a “Reflective Stripe” and “Water Repellent Zipper.” They have quite a lot to live up to. DexShell deserve recognition for a great bit of kit… does exactly what it should with no compromises in quality and without the price tag of some premium overshoes." These two gentlemen could not be any more accommodating if they tried, quality service that is a rare find in today’s crazy world, I can not recommend this company enough!

I was a huge fan of the length of the cuff, which is shorter than average. Some overshoes really feel stifling around the lower leg, building up moisture around the ankle in milder conditions. This wasn’t an issue with here. The elastic didn’t leave a mark post-ride either. The bike is a Christmas present and so will not see any use for about 5 weeks as we are in November now. The undersides of even the best cycling overshoes are prone to wear. Depending on your riding style, you may want to look for a tough, seam-free base with reinforcements at the heel and toe box, especially if you're often having to dab in gravel or stop at traffic lights. Sometimes, kit makers will use a less bulky fabric for the uppers, one that’s typically DWR (durable water repellent) coated to repel water, and includes a breathable membrane. It’s an alternative to neoprene that’s lighter and less stiff, but it can lose its water-resistance over time and, unless additional insulation is added, may not be as warm in cold weather. The 90% Neoprene, 10% Nylon fabric has a ‘roughed-up’ surface. According to DexShell, this makes them more abrasion-resistant. While I haven’t been throwing myself on the tarmac to test this, I have been impressed with the seemingly untouched surface appearance despite heavy use over the last six weeks.For me, the overshoes fitted really well; there were no excessively loose areas, even at the toe (where some reinforced panels can create an elf-like point). The elasticated cuff definitely helps to hold the shoe firmly in place when riding. Verdict: These overshoes are warm and durable plus their generous sole openings should help prevent you damaging the material when walking around.” Offer everything you could want from an overshoe; robust, water resistant, warm, durable and best of all, easy to get on." This windproof construction slips over the front of the shoe, with a rugged underside to provide grip and a silicone print to help keeps rips at bay. Performance is comparable to DexShell's Heavy Duty Overshoes. The biggest difference for me was simply the longer cuff, which can be more stifling in milder conditions while offering more protection in colder ones. This will simply be personal preference.

Keeping feet warm and dry in winter is difficult for cyclists. Wind chill is the enemy for the extremities, add spray from the front wheel and unless your feet are appropriately insulated it won’t be long before you can’t feel them any more. Can you wear cycling overshoes with trainers? Even when raining the overshoes still perform very well. Naturally, a cut-away sole means these can’t be waterproof. However, the hems sit so snug to the sole that they come very close to being water tight. I’ve ridden in some pretty horrific conditions and it's taken a decent amount of time for water to penetrate to the shoe (yes, I do have mudguards). While the fit was snug, it was refreshing not to have to burn calories pulling the things on. Getting dressed for a winter ride is quite an undertaking, not to mentioned the removal of it all post-ride, when it’s potentially caked in mud and wet. For me, the DexShells are genuinely the easiest-to-pull-on overshoe I’ve ever used. Damp feet, but by no means cold feet.TheHeavy Duty overshoes did a top-notch job of keeping my feet totally warm, providing total wind resistance, which is something Dexshell needs to shout about a bit more as for us cold feet sufferers it's often more of a selling point than anything else. ValueAt the top of the overshoes is an additional 2cm elasticated cuff with an internal silicone gripper to help secure them in place. The ride The fit of the overshoes was noticeably good, not only because coming in four sizes (many brands only offer two or three) allows it to be closer to your actual shoe size, but also because the thinner elasticated gripper at the top really holds them in place throughout the ride.