The weather has been so awful this winter that the roads have been constantly filled with mud and debris fom the fields. When it came to reviewing these Grip Grab MTB/XC overshoes, we decided then to do something different – how would they stack up on these debris laden roads as a general pair, suitable for both mountain bike and road and saving you some money.
Here’s the deal people: “It’s not over until it’s over!” Yes, the cold winds of winter will stay for a while yet, especially in the high passes and hill areas. Thankfully Alé make great cold weather gloves
Cycle overshoes are simple really: they need to be waterproof, strong and stretchy, with excellent fastenings that don’t come apart
In the harshest of conditions you need the best of kit. Riding in the Yorkshire Dales in winter can be icy cold and snow bound at times, and these are the conditions for which this overshoe has been designed.
Made from the same 4mm waterproof Intelliseal Neoprene of the winter overshoe, it lacks the hollow fibre lining, but is designed to stay dry and to be seen, both of which it achieves. The RaceThermo shoe cover is featuring the new zipperless shoe cover design, that gives a perfect and snug fit around the shoe and calf, so water is kept out from the top and preventing water from penetrating through a zipper.
The RaceThermo shoe cover gives that racing look while effectively shielding your feet and shoes from the elements.
It’s a zipperless design to maximise sealing against the elements, and is oversewn along the front to ensure that the three neoprene panels provide the very best fit and protection. It’s often difficult to trust an overshoe which has stitching along the front, but the quality and design and the panels are expertly thought out, making sure that it does work and you are kept warm and dry. In fact, not even a high icy wind can penetrate the stitching, as we’ve found out on many rides.
There’s Kevlar reinforcing to the toe and engineered design around the heal area to add protection too. In terms of fitting,it simply pulls down over the shoes and is fastened underneath, where the sole is opened up except for the addition of a super secure velcro style fastening. The cuff is a separate neoprene panel, which is strong and stretchy to hold it firm against the ankle, and when used with the new GripGrab Cycling Gaiter, you have the ultimate protection.
What does Intelliseal provide:
Better Fit – closer and more secure fit around the sole of the shoe.
Better Durability – rubber protected stitches enhance the durability of the shoe cover.
Better Water Resistance – tight fit keeps water out for longer, reduces the tendency of shoe covers getting wet on the inside due to the wicking effect of the material along the edge of the shoe cover.
There’s even a neat little hi-vis fastener at the heal to hook a light too, adding to safety in busy winter roads. On the road, and indeed through winter forded streams on the mtb it def does the job well, and best of all the feet stay warm in all temperatures. It’s Intelliseal fabric is super tough and strong, meaning that this will be an investment for years to come. If you want to know more about the GripGrab Intelliseal fabric then click here
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In the harshest of conditions you need the best of kit. Riding in the Yorkshire Dales in winter can be icy cold and snow bound at times, and these are the conditions for which this overshoe has been designed.
GripGrab say that it’s the warmest overshoe on the market, and they’re probably correct. It’s cut and sewn from 4mm waterpoof neoprene, with a hollow fibre lining to ensure comfort, and it works.
It’s a zipperless design to maximise sealing against the elements, and is oversewn along the front to ensure that the three neoprene panels provide the very best fit and protection. It’s often difficult to trust an overshoe which has stitching along the front, but the quality and design and the panels are expertly thought out, making sure that it does work and you are kept warm and dry. In fact, not even a high icy wind can penetrate the stitching, as we’ve found out on many rides.
There’s Kevlar reinforcing to the toe and engineered design around the heal area to add protection too. In terms of fitting,it simply pulls down over the shoes and is fastened underneath, where the sole is opened up except for the addition of a super secure velcro style fastening. The cuff is a separate neoprene panel, trimmed with strong elastic to hold it firm, and when used with the new GripGrab Cycling Gaiter, you have the ultimate protection. And GripGrab have developed their Intelliseal fabric design to ensure that the overshoes provides improvement in the following areas:
Better Fit – closer and more secure fit around the sole of the shoe.
Better Durability – rubber protected stitches enhance the durability of the shoe cover.
Better Water Resistance – tight fit keeps water out for longer, reduces the tendency of shoe covers getting wet on the inside due to the wicking effect of the material along the edge of the shoe cover.
There’s even a neat little hi-vis fastener at the heal to hook a light too, adding to safety in busy winter roads. On the road, and indeed through winter forded streams on the mtb it def does the job well, and best of all the feet stay warm in all temperatures. It’s Intelliseal fabric is super tough and strong, meaning that this will be an investment for years to come.
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You just need to look and feel these overshoes to know that they’re the very best quality. In fact, they look as good turned inside out as they do on the protective side. GripGrab have god to town on the design and materials used, and they fit on easily, stretch with toughness, and simply perform superbly and look the business.
At the ankle there’s a strong and wide elasticated cuff, sewn directly to the ultra stretch waterproof fabric. GripGrab have gone for a close fit to keep the overshoe aero and the fabric strength is testament to their quality of material choice. Best of all, they’re suitable for all seasons, with them even performing on rainy winter days. Yes, if it’s snow and a real icy torrent, you’ll need something else, but thankfully GripGrab have that covered too.
The bottom sole area is made from a honeycomb mesh style strong weave in silver, which also adds some style, whilst also protecting the heel and toe from abrasion and rubbing. Cleat openings are large and will ensure that all shoes are catered for easily, and the covers slip over the shoes easily.
The zipper is a waterproof quality one, which is double stitched in and has a neat little weather flap at the top to stop rain drips. I’ve had several overshoes where in a short space of time, the zip gives way and the shoe is in affect useless. This has even happened at supposedly high end products. However, like I said, GripGrab have used several material types in the overshoe contruction, and each seem to work perfectly together, doing the stretching so that the pressure is taken away from the zipper itself.
In use the overshoes hug the ankle and the foot and keep the wind at bay, meaning the feet are kept nice and warm. No rain enters at any point, and it’s simply a quick wipe down to clean them off after a ride. Even during winter rain storms, these overshoes simply bead away the water,and I stay dry, meaning that these remain my overshoes of first choice and the benchmark for others.
There’s some white lettered branding on the outer sides to the shoe, but you’ll be proud to wear these, I promise you. Over the years of testing products, GripGrab never fail to impress and these Race Aqua shoe covers are a great example of their style and performance. They’re not the cheapest, but don’t buy twice badly, buy well once – we def recommend these.
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The Termico Overshoe by Q36.5 neither looks nor feels like the traditional neoprene type which many of us are used to. They feel supple, lightweight and low bulk. The front panel is made of UF Thermal Shell, a laminated fabric, providing the greatest level of protection from the elements. It’s outer layer is a very dense, lightweight and water resistant lycra, the inner is Italian polyester fleece. Between these two fabrics is an active non-porous membrane, with thermal insulation, vapour transfer and waterproof properties.
The top and rear of the Overshoe are UF Hybrid Shell, a dense, lightweight fabric which is water resistant and wind blocking. This single layer has the inclusion of silver thread. Silver has properties which reflect and retain warmth, as well as conducting excessive heat, assisting in rider comfort, especially when descending, or if ride intensity increases.
The high level of stretch within both fabrics is particularly noticeable when putting on, and taking off the Overshoes, making the process easy! Subtleties like this are appreciated when getting ready to head out, or after a long ride in winter conditions.
Other distinct features are the zip and trim. The zip is at an angle across the back of the Overshoe. This offers improved comfort and minimises pressure on the calf area. I really like the bright green trims which are eye catching, assist visibility, and give that distinct Q36.5 style. Low light or night time visibility is factored into the design, with reflective thread used for the zip stitching. I began using the Termico Overshoe at the start of this winter. Since then, I have ridden in rain, sleet, high winds, and dry cold. The temperatures have ranged from just below zero up to around 10°C. The terrain has varied from flatland to the mountains of the Lake District.
I love the overall experience of riding. For this to be at it’s best, neither the equipment used nor the elements should detract from it. Unlike more traditional designs, the low bulk, stretch and protection of this Overshoe translates into a garment which you put on and forget it’s even there. Perfect! This remains constant, as the fabrics Q36.5 incorporate allow vapour transfer, preventing perspiration build-up, to avoid that clammy feel followed by sudden coolness, that wearing neoprene overshoes can give.
Q36.5 design their products to work in conjunction with each other, and their website contains recommendations regarding optimum clothing combinations for different temperatures.
This winter I have found the Be Love Zero Sock and Termico Overshoe to be a great combination, and will move to the Plus Sock as the weather warms. In very cold conditions Q36.5 recommend combining the Termico Overshoe with their Toe Cover, but fortunately this has not been necessary for me this winter. This is a resilient product; after one Winter’s use the Overshoes are showing very little sign of wear, assisted by the opening for the pedal cleat being appropriately sized to avoid the fabric surround being damaged (I use the Look Keo pedals).
The overall performance and design has led to this becoming a firm part of my essential equipment collection.
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Ours is a green and pleasant land – due to the amount of rain that we get, so overshoes are a must for every keen cyclist!
These Craft overshoes were a perfect addition to my spring cycling wear – they kept my feet dry and warm despite the frequent showers and they looked good too. The colour scheme is simple and effective in terms of style and safety, black in colour with the striking red detail and a reflective Craft logo. They were a little snug around my ankles but as I am not blessed with the most slender of legs, I think they’ll fit most male and female riders well.
I certainly preferred these to my winter neoprene overshoes, as despite being thinner, smarter and better fitting – the real measure of their performance was getting home after a long, wet ride, to my feet being surprisingly dry and being able to feel my toes!
The overshoes are surprisingly hard wearing, and have stood the test of time over a busy spring and summer. The zipper is of reasonable quality, as is the overall construction of the overshoe, being of good quality material and well put together. It’s this area that is often the weakest on overshoes, but Craft have used a very tough zipper and the shoe itself is flexible enough to take the strain of stretching.
My only criticism is the location of the zip being at the back, rather than side of the overshoes as it can make it a little awkward to fasten and seems to place more tension on the zip. Having said that, once zipped up the overshoes stayed put, did not unzip themselves mid ride and looked smart and aero – so these versatile overshoes would work for both training and racing.
Inside the overshoe, my feet stayed warm and dry, and I guess that’s all that matters. They stand the odd knock that we tend to give them and are very well made, with a high quality material being used. Let’s remember that Craft made their name in Scandinavia, where tough gear counts.
A great buy. Well done Craft.
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Crank it Up!
