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review

Castelli Diluvio Shoecover

8
£40.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Warm, waterproof overshoes for cold-weather riding, although they're more expensive than most
Weight: 
128g
Contact: 
www.saddleback.co.uk

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These Diluvio overshoes from Castelli cost a bit more than most but they're warm and well made.

Like many others, they're 3mm neoprene which is thick enough for plenty of insulation. Just as important for keeping your feet warm, that neoprene extends well over the sides and round to the soles. You get a hole for your cleat, of course, and another at the heel for grip when walking to and from your bike, but that little bit of extra coverage compared to a completely open-soled overshoe makes a big difference.

The only real downside to this design is that it's quite easy to damage the neoprene when you walk. Gravel and stones don't do it any good at all so you need to keep off your feet as much as possible.

Castelli give these a temperature range of 0-14C. Now, I'm notoriously cold blooded - I might have mentioned it once or twice before - but even I wouldn't head out in neoprene overshoes when it's 14C. That temperature might be considered a bit nippy in Castelli's Italian homeland, but round these parts it's regarded as warm. 0-10C would be closer to the mark, I'd say.

The closure on the Diluvios is unusual. The back doesn't open fully. Instead, it's slit from just above the top of your heel, enough for you to get your foot in easily, with a webbing loop at the back to help the process. An adjustable Velcro tab provides the closure. It's a system that works well. There's absolutely no impediment to your pedalling movement and that Velcro is positioned far enough away from your longs that you're unlikely to catch any threads and do damage as long as you're careful putting the overshoes on.

The finishing around the top isn't the neatest ever. It's just a raw edge where the neoprene has been cut. A bit of binding around there would make it look tidier although it wouldn't alter the performance.

The seams are thermosealed - heat-sealed as well as stitched - so they're watertight and rain doesn't soak through the neoprene either. Water can get in the top and via that rear closure although you can do it up tightly to keep that to a minimum. It has to be really hosing down for that to become an issue. Even if your feet do get wet, they'll usually stay warm thanks to the insulation.

What else do you need to know? There's reflective trim at the back for extra nighttime visibility and, oh, there's a huge scorpion printed on the side, and that's obviously a good thing.

Verdict

Warm, waterproof overshoes for cold-weather riding, although they're more expensive than most

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Castelli Diluvio Shoecover

Size tested: XXL (44-47)

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?

Castelli say, "The 3mm Neoprene fabric will stand up to the wettest and coldest winter riding conditions. All seams are thermosealed for complete water protection, with cleat and heel areas open for stability while walking. The stretchy material easily pulls over your shoes while a Velcro closure prevents water from running down your leg into the shoecover."

That's pretty much correct, although some water can always get in the top even if it just wicks in via the fabric of your tights.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

The seams are welded to prevent leaks.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

It's good and the thermosealed seams are great. The edge at the top lacks the binding you get around the cleat and heel holes.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Really warm, and supple enough that you barely feel you're wearing them (in a good way).

The thing that makes them esp good is that there's no ankle restriction at all. I'm not saying there's much on any overshoes, but if you have a zip or whatever you can sometimes be aware of it. These feel like you don't have any on.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

The neoprene is as durable as any other used in overshoes of this kind. There's no zip to jam and not much Velcro to catch where it's not wanted.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

They keep your feet comfortable in all conditions.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

These are among the costlier neoprene overshoes out there. These are high-quality and they work well, but value isn't their strongest suit. More expensive overshoes

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well indeed.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

3mm neoprene is noticeably warmer than lighter weight versions. The watertight seams make a difference when the rain hoses down too.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

"Disliked" would be strong but the raw top edge looks a bit unfinished to me.

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?

These have become my overshoes of choice keeping my feet warm and dry through some wintry West Country downpours

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 190cm  Weight: 74kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding,

 

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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