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review

Pro Tarmac H20 Overshoe

9
£29.99

VERDICT:

9
10
Well made, good quality overshoe that is built to last
Weight: 
91g
Contact: 
www.madison.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Pro Tarmac H20 Overshoe is one step down from the NPU version being water resistant rather than waterproof. Saying that though, in all but the heaviest downpours these will keep the worst of the weather out, thanks mainly to taped seams.

A size range covering sizes 37 – 49 makes choosing the right pair easy and being made of Lycra gives the Tarmac’s enough flex to make them easy to get on and off. Also being that Pro is an offshoot of Shimano the cut-outs fit perfectly over SPD-SL cleats. The toe area is reinforced with Kevlar to as this normally the first part to wear as you walk in them. A full zip up the rear with a reflective Velcro tab finishes off the construction.

In use the Tarmac’s are very warm (Pro states a working range of -5˚ / +10˚C) mostly due to a bamboo charcoal lining to give excellent anti bacterial and insulating properties. This gives, when the water finally soaks through, properties similar to neoprene overshoes where even when wet your feet remain warm. Fit wise the Velcro tab doesn’t pull tight enough leaving the overshoe gaping a bit at the top which allows some water to run down your legs and into the shoe, a shame really as this is the only gripe. The new look version is a huge improvement over last years rather drab offering, now being offered in black or white. Both versions come with eye catching graphics and the white pair are seriously bling, not for the shy and retiring type.

Pricing is reasonably competitive but there are some good fully waterproof options out there for less, but being lycra there is weight advantage to the Tarmac’s which after 3 hours at 100rpm is going to be small but noticeable. Build quality is excellent though and they’ll easily see you through a good couple of winters.

Verdict

Overall a good quality overshoe. Good fitting and quality construction should see them last as well.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Pro Tarmac H20 Overshoe

Size tested: XL

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Did you enjoy using the product? yes

Would you consider buying the product? yes but I'd go for the black ones

Would you recommend the product to a friend? yes

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride: Schwinn Fastback Pro  My best bike is: Dolan Chrono TT Custom

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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1 comments

Avatar
curdins | 14 years ago
0 likes

I would have thought that white winter overshoes were the dubious preserve of Pippo Pozzato types, mincing around traffic-free Tuscan lanes under azzure blue skies and pleasant 17 degree-centigrade temperatures. But for the UK winter? Posing gone mad, style over substance.

No matter. I'll have some. Size 41.

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