If you suffer with cold feet in the winter months read on as Caratti's Deep Winter Overshoes are the most insulated I've tried. Their waterproofing and build quality is impressive too.
You might have seen the piece we ran last month about the re-launch of the Caratti clothing brand, but if you didn't here's a little recap. Caratti were the biggest importer of Italian brands into the UK bringing in their own kit along with the likes of Castelli, Sidi and Colnago back in the 80s and 90s. Things went a bit quiet then but they're back and these overshoes are part of their new range.
Neoprene is used for a lot of overshoes purely because it's good at insulating even when wet. There are two types though, 'open cell' and 'closed cell'; being waterproof the Caratti's are the latter. The Deep Winters are impressive in the rain with no water getting in through the material at for a good 45 minutes thanks to the material and taped seams. This was in a controlled environment (power shower head to replicate heavy rain) though because out on the road they do suffer the same fate as every other pair of overshoes. Water running down your legs enters through the ankle hole and makes its way into your shoes. This can be limited by the use of a decent set of mudguards though.
They aren't very breathable which for once is a good thing. Last winter may not have been that chilly but the one before saw me commuting in temperatures of -10°C and I would have given anything to have a pair of the Carattis then; they are properly toasty even when soaking wet.
The overall build quality is excellent with neat tidy seams and a reinforced Kevlar sole. I normally get through a pair of overshoes each winter normally due to a broken zip or seams tearing due to them being stretched over shoes twice a day, five times a week. Neoprene is a synthetic rubber so its naturally elastic anyway but the Caratti's seem more so than others making them very easy to stretch over shoes, even those with buckles. This also means a lot less strain on the zip to so I can see these lasting a long time. The large size tested here is 43-45 so I'm on the upper limit with my UK size 10's, and there shouldn't be any need to size up.
For night usage you get a reflective Velcro tab and strips either side of the zip plus the Caratti logo will light up too. Rotating feet are one of the best visual cues for drivers following cyclists so its good to see plenty of reflectives in a sensible position.
At £35 I reckon they offer good value for money when you consider the waterproofing, insulation and fit, especially when the only overshoes I've rated for really cold and wet protection in the past were £60.
In conclusion I'd recommend the Caratti Deep Winter Overshoes for anyone who rides throughout the winter no matter what the weather. Until someone develops a water tight seal at the ankle these are about as waterproof as you'll get and by far the warmest.
Verdict
Super warm and waterproof material combined with a great fit makes for exceptional overshoes
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Caratti Deep Winter Waterproof Overshoes
Size tested: Large
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Caratti say "For those deep winter soaking rides. These overshoes are made from a waterproof and thermal neoprene with water tight seams. Designed be able to hold out the majority of the rain and puddles in soaking conditions. Perfect for the longer freezing rides as well as daily commutes." I agree with everything they've said there.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Thermal Waterproof neoprene
Waterproof construction
Reflective Logo, Zip Lining and Velcro strap
Velcro zip housing
Reinforced sole and cleat opening
Sizing 37-48 (S-XL)
Excellently put together and finished well.
Very warm plus the pliable material makes foot rotation easy. Waterproofing is as good as can be expected.
A kevlar reinforced sole and openings plus the ease of getting them on and off should see them lasting a long time.
Pretty much on par with the rest of this style of overshoe although they do weigh almost as much as my shoes.
Plenty of give so they can't even be felt when they are on.
Very well priced indeed for the performance.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Really good especially in the insulation and fit departments.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
How easy they are to get on and off.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Another overshoe that still isn't perfectly waterproof.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.
Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?
The Carattis are brilliant and I can't wait to try them out when things really do turn exceptionally cold. The waterproofing issue isn't something that just plagues the Carattis, it's industry wide but until water running in to overshoes from the leg is solved there is no such thing as a perfect pair, that's why these get a very commendable 4.5 stars.
About the tester
Age: 36 Height: 180cm Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: Kinesis T2 My best bike is: Kinesis Aithien
I've been riding for: 10-20 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,
10 thoughts on “Caratti Deep Winter Waterproof Overshoes”
Easy way to seal overshoes.
Easy way to seal overshoes. Black industrial rubber gloves (Kinky I know) cut the cuff off, acts like a wet suit seal around the top of the overshoe. last 2 winters no wet feet. alternatively tape around the top of the ankle.
hardgrit wrote:Easy way to
Ahh, I was thinking along those lines – I have to ride all day in wet winter conditions and 2-3 hours of steady rain even gets down into my Spesh winter boots WITH Endura neoprene overshoes on top. I had been thinking along the lines of fat-bike inner tube cut up as an ankle sea but rubber gloves is a good idea. What size?
IHphoto wrote:hardgrit
Suppose it depends how big your calves are :). Think I got a medium black industrial production rubber gloves from ebay. Only a few quid. I have a cuff about 4″ long that is tight around my leg (not circulation stopping) that then goes over top of the overshoes. No leaks down the front anymore. Drysuit cuffs would do the same just more expensive.
If you see Quintana in the giro this year he had tape around the top of his overshoes.
hardgrit wrote:IHphoto
Suppose it depends how big your calves are :). Think I got a medium black industrial production rubber gloves from ebay. Only a few quid. I have a cuff about 4″ long that is tight around my leg (not circulation stopping) that then goes over top of the overshoes. No leaks down the front anymore. Drysuit cuffs would do the same just more expensive.
If you see Quintana in the giro this year he had tape around the top of his overshoes.— hardgrit
Sorry to sound like an idiot but rather do that than miss out, this is going on the outside of the bib tights isn’t it? ie outside of bib tight stretching over the top of the over shoes?
my feet get cold even in summer, the soggy baltic foot in winter spoils my very existence! so a solution to this would be so very much appreicated
ps – muddyfox69 – there is a linky at the top of the item that takes u straight to the buy them page of Caratti online shop
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Ok, on order!
Ok, on order!
How well would these do over
How well would these do over mountain bike style shoes? Would the fit still be fine?
Where can I buy a pair of
Where can I buy a pair of these from?
These are on pre-order for
These are on pre-order for mid Jan in 43-45 and 46-48. My feet are vvery cold and wet right now.
These look very much like the
These look very much like the super excellent Endura Road Overshoes. Except that they’re £15 more expensive…
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