Winter over shoes
Discussion
So not wanting to start a completely new thread about overshoes...
I have Grip-Grab Orca overshoes bought for the princely sum of £16 from Wiggle. I have to say my feet are never cold in my Sidi shoes and I am wearing regular cotton socks. Also the rain and road grime are completely deflected and when removing them my shoes are still pristine!
Now here is the rub. I find that the left overshoe is already torn through the Kevlar that goes underneath the toe. In London you have to stop for the lights a fair amount.
The other annoyance is the heel slips down under my foot and requires pulling up every now and then.
Are these issues just facts of life with overshoes or are the better fitting more commuter orientated versions?
I have Grip-Grab Orca overshoes bought for the princely sum of £16 from Wiggle. I have to say my feet are never cold in my Sidi shoes and I am wearing regular cotton socks. Also the rain and road grime are completely deflected and when removing them my shoes are still pristine!
Now here is the rub. I find that the left overshoe is already torn through the Kevlar that goes underneath the toe. In London you have to stop for the lights a fair amount.
The other annoyance is the heel slips down under my foot and requires pulling up every now and then.
Are these issues just facts of life with overshoes or are the better fitting more commuter orientated versions?
That was my experience. Like you, my cycling is daily city centre stop start. After going through a number of pairs of overshoes and the faff of stretching them on an off I eventually got some Northwave Celsius boots and would never return to overshoes for a daily winter commute. Mine are now probably 2 or 3 years old and as good as new, despite having had a very hard life.
3 options really:
Learn to track stand, get some of the excellent Northwave GTX boots, or accept that you'll wear through one of your overshoes quickly.
I've got some Craft overshoes that don't go under the heel, so unless I pull them down too far that don't get damaged. I wear the GTX boots for days when I want toasty warm toes.
Learn to track stand, get some of the excellent Northwave GTX boots, or accept that you'll wear through one of your overshoes quickly.
I've got some Craft overshoes that don't go under the heel, so unless I pull them down too far that don't get damaged. I wear the GTX boots for days when I want toasty warm toes.
I am not sure balancing is a something I want to learn as you can physically see people willing the 'show off to fall' such is the goodwill at London lights.
Actually... its nice to get this feedback. I have seen some NW gore-tex shoes and thought about getting them.
Perhaps that's the answer and to keep the overshoes in my back pack for those day where it might possibly rain? Lets ponder my cold weather commitment in the coming weeks.
Actually... its nice to get this feedback. I have seen some NW gore-tex shoes and thought about getting them.
Perhaps that's the answer and to keep the overshoes in my back pack for those day where it might possibly rain? Lets ponder my cold weather commitment in the coming weeks.
Have to say even after buying the nw shoes from wiggle I procrastinated about trying them out reasoning I could return them. They're great. Not sure they're intrinsically a LOT warmer than shoes with overshoes, but they're a more roomy fit, allowing me decent socks (without being overly long as they would be if I sized up in my regular shoe), and they really do keep the crap out. One way or another I finish up with soaking feet with overshoes - sweat, leakage, whatever. So far not with the northwave boots. No doubt in a proper downpour water would get in via the holes my legs stick through, but very impressed so far.
Renn Sport said:
I find that the left overshoe is already torn through the Kevlar that goes underneath the toe. In London you have to stop for the lights a fair amount.
I use gorilla tape over and under the kevlar and that seems to reinforce the area to stop it from ripping. I replace the gorilla tape every few months when it starts to wear out.j00pY said:
Renn Sport said:
I find that the left overshoe is already torn through the Kevlar that goes underneath the toe. In London you have to stop for the lights a fair amount.
I use gorilla tape over and under the kevlar and that seems to reinforce the area to stop it from ripping. I replace the gorilla tape every few months when it starts to wear out.I have BBB Waterflex overshoes and they work reasonably well. However, if you are commuting all year round the Northwave boots are excellent.
I bought a used pair on Ebay for £70 and they are brilliant. They genuinely keep the water out and are warm too. However, my Northwaves are SPD only and I can never be bothered to change my road bikes back to SOD for the winter.
The overshoes can be made to work, but like others I add a carrier back round my feet combined with ski socks that about 15 years old
I bought a used pair on Ebay for £70 and they are brilliant. They genuinely keep the water out and are warm too. However, my Northwaves are SPD only and I can never be bothered to change my road bikes back to SOD for the winter.
The overshoes can be made to work, but like others I add a carrier back round my feet combined with ski socks that about 15 years old
JQ said:
JEA1K said:
upsidedownmark said:
I have neoprene ones. They're not bad.. but they're not great, and they're definitely not waterproof (nor intended to be). TBH after 3 winters of ice block feet I've just given up and ordered the northwave boots. 135 from wiggle. I think overshoes buy you a few degrees of lattitude, but they're not that great, especially if it's wet, and with the various pairs I've bought over the years I've half paid for the boots..
This is me . Suffered for too long throughout the winter months and refused to put myself through it again!Northwave Celsius SPD's currently on sale at Wiggle for £99.99 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/northwave-celsius-2-gtx-sp...
il sole said:
I'll second, or is it third that??!! i have given up on overshoes as they never work and wear out really quickly. i think i've got through at least 5 or 6 pairs on my commute where I keep on having to stop, unclip, put my foot down etc. I bought the northwave artic boots earlier this winter and they are a revelation! they keep your feet so dry and toasty it's brilliant :-)
Out of the 16 of us riding last Saturday, only 4 didn't have a pair of Northwave's on and one of those had the Lake equivalent - size 50 odd or something daft ;-) Looking at the weather this weekend, they're a must have purchase!
JQ said:
Northwave Celsius SPD's currently on sale at Wiggle for £99.99 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/northwave-celsius-2-gtx-sp...
thanx just pulled the trigger on a pair as at that price can't really say "Ill keep making do with the overshoes and placcy bags" anymore.JQ said:
Northwave Celsius SPD's currently on sale at Wiggle for £99.99 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/northwave-celsius-2-gtx-sp...
Good price - worth noting these are SPD (MTB) not SPD SL, guess this suits most commuters anyway.JQ said:
Northwave Celsius SPD's currently on sale at Wiggle for £99.99 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/northwave-celsius-2-gtx-sp...
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