Cycling UK Forum

They make perfect sense to me....and probably many others.As I said unless it's freezing or below full overshoes are just to warm.Also having white road shoes the oversocks keep all the crap off them on damp Summer/Autumn rides.I can also stick them in my Jersey pocket which isn't practical with overshoes other than the Velotoze I posted earlier.
Win/Win

Mainly I use overshoes to keep warm and roadspray as I now choose not to start out if it will be too wet.
I use sealskins socks under the overshoes. The socks are water resistant so even if they get water inside it will warm up and act like a wetsuit. I doubt if there is a perfect answer to wet freezing conditions but this combination does seem OK.

For clipless pedals I cannot believe that any overshoe will keep your feet dry for any length of time even if the tops are sealed by overpants. In a downpour capillary action will wick the water up the inside of your overshoe, onto your sock and down inside your shoe. At least that's been my experience with several brands. What overshoes do do is keep your feet warm. Having been a caver I've learned to live with warm and wet feet as long as the rest of me is comfortable.

Pete Jack wrote:For clipless pedals I cannot believe that any overshoe will keep your feet dry for any length of time even if the tops are sealed by overpants.

The Velotoze ones in my first post have done exactly that.I've only done 2.5-3hrs in the wet in them but I really wouldn't want to voluntarily ride any longer than that in the wet anyway.

ibbo68 wrote:

Pete Jack wrote:For clipless pedals I cannot believe that any overshoe will keep your feet dry for any length of time even if the tops are sealed by overpants.

The Velotoze ones in my first post have done exactly that.I've only done 2.5-3hrs in the wet in them but I really wouldn't want to voluntarily ride any longer than that in the wet anyway.

Interesting. I've never heard of Velotoze before. What makes them different from Izumi, Sugoi etc.? They must have a hole in the bottom for the SPD(or whatever). How do they prevent the capillary business? Mind you, if you're touring you may not be able to avoid 3+ hours in the rain.

Pete Jack wrote:

ibbo68 wrote:

Pete Jack wrote:For clipless pedals I cannot believe that any overshoe will keep your feet dry for any length of time even if the tops are sealed by overpants.

The Velotoze ones in my first post have done exactly that.I've only done 2.5-3hrs in the wet in them but I really wouldn't want to voluntarily ride any longer than that in the wet anyway.

Interesting. I've never heard of Velotoze before. What makes them different from Izumi, Sugoi etc.? They must have a hole in the bottom for the SPD(or whatever). How do they prevent the capillary business? Mind you, if you're touring you may not be able to avoid 3+ hours in the rain.

They're basically thin,very stretchy rubber.They fit extremely tightly to the shoe and ankle.Once on they look like they're painted on they're that tight.If you stood in a stream
I've no doubt water would deep in from the bottom up but they do work in heavy rain!
They don't however have the insulating properties of Neoprene.

I agree with Pete Jack.
It doesn't matter that your feet are wet so long as they are warm (I too went caving a lot!!!)
The best overshoes I've had are no longer available.
Some years ago an outfit called Ozzo marketed quite a few inexpensive items for cyclists among which was their neoprene overshoes.
With a sturdy KKK zip up the back, they were brilliant.
I still have a battered pair that are on their last legs.

I've used Endura (2 pairs) and BBB (1 pair). I tend to wear them on every ride in the winter. Water leaks in eventually in heavy rain conditions, usually down my leggings and through the top of the overshoes so I'm not sure if any overshoe would actually be totally waterproof, however they do keep my feet warm, my shoes clean and mostly dry in anything except heavy rain. The Endura ones only just lasted the season as they wore into holes where my shoe buckle sits underneath them. The BBB ones that I'm using now seem to be a little more robustly constructed than the Endura ones so may last until the end of winter (whenever that is), however and rather annoyingly it look as if the thin strip of material between the bottom of the zip and the opening on the sole for cleats is going to give up soon.

I have used all manner of overshoes over the years, but as regular commuter (250+ miles per week) I tend to have to replace overshoes at least three times during the winter months. However, I have just purchased my first pair of Goretex winter boots, first impressions are really good and I don't know why I haven't explored this option before to be honest.

So fingers crossed say goodbye to overshoes!!

AlanW wrote: I have just purchased my first pair of Goretex winter boots, first impressions are really good and I don't know why I haven't explored this option before to be honest. . . . . .

Significant cost plus risk of plunging into the unknown - where marketing bull-product may prove to mislead ??

Graham wrote:

AlanW wrote: I have just purchased my first pair of Goretex winter boots, first impressions are really good and I don't know why I haven't explored this option before to be honest. . . . . .

Significant cost plus risk of plunging into the unknown - where marketing bull-product may prove to mislead ??

Well at "just" £99 for a pair of Goretex boots plus reading reviews from other peoples personal experiences made my mind up. Plus over a winter period I would spend more than that on replacing overshoes!

I have a pair of these for my size 50 spd shoes. Despite the nopminal sizing the only just squeeze over (would be perfect for about a size 47-48 shoe IMO) and are allegedly designed for ice skates as well as cycling, so might well fit over a boot. Although only for boots considerably smaller than the nominal sizing.

They're really good quality and have lasted better than any other overshoes I've had; beware that because of the design you need to put them on before your shoe rather than after, then pull them down over the shoe (there's a velcro strip underneath to fasten the bottom afterwards).

http://en.hollandbikeshop.com/cycling-w ... 3xl-49-50/