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review

GripGrab Hammerhead Winter Overshoe

9
£39.95

VERDICT:

9
10
Top performance in the most horrid winter conditions. Highly recommended
Weight: 
200g
Contact: 
www.wiggle.co.uk

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The GripGrab Hammerhead Winter Overshoes have been rock solid in winter weather with their coated neoprene construction doing an unbelievable job of keeping the weather on the outside, and not in my shoes where it usually ends up after a couple of hours in the wind and rain.

GripGrab is a relatively new brand to these shores, with online retailer Wiggle picking up the UK distribution rights late last year. Good job they did, because what they have on their hands is one of the best glove and overshoe manufacturers. I was highly impressed with the Urban Softshell gloves recently and I've been similarly impressed with these overshoes.

They're made from a thick polyurethane coated neoprene that is 100% windproof and waterproof. I usually treat such claims with a high level of suspicion, based on years of testing overshoes that don't deliver in the depths of the winter. These do, and do so very well indeed.

I've been out in horrid weather, the sort that makes you question your sanity at choosing to go out on a bicycle, and the Hammerheads have done exactly what their product description promises. They've kept water out and they've kept the wind out. I've even gone out of my way to splash through puddles and haven't managed to find their limit.

Construction is top notch. The two holes on the sole, for the cleat and heel, are lined with reinforcing material and double stitched. There's a small patch of tougher material on the very front, which prevents damage when you put a foot down at the traffic lights. There's a similar bit of material at the heel too, for the same reason.

At the back is a full height chunky zipper that permits easy foot entry. The zip tab has a short section of material to make operation with thick gloves on easy. A Velcro tab keeps the top of the overshoe snug in place.

The zip is flanked by two sections of reflective material that serve to give a very high visibility to other road users. I'm still surprised that some winter overshoes have such stingy reflective details, so kudos to GripGrab for this small, but important, detail.

Some may not like the huge logo sprawled along the side and the Hammerhead shark detail around the top, but I kind of like it. It certainly grows on you. Unless you're particularly vain, I don't think an overshoes aesthetic is such an important consideration. How well they work is far more important, and judged on this criteria alone the Hammerheads are among the best overshoes I've yet tested.

Verdict

Top performance in the most horrid winter conditions. Highly recommended.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: GripGrab Hammerhead Winter Overshoe

Size tested: XL

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?

Warm, waterproof cycling overshoes for thermal protection in all but the coldest winter conditions. The Hammerhead overshoe features a PU coated neoprene construction and zip/velcro closure to seal out the elements as you pedal through the winter.

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

Windproof

Waterproof

YKK® zipper

Reflector for safety

Velcro closure strap

PU coated neoprene construction

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

They have the feel of a very well made product, and that has been the case during the test period.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

These are very nearly the best overshoes I've yet tested. They do a brilliant job of keeping the weather out of my shoes.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Overshoes get hammered, but the Hammerheads have been very durable. The toughened toe material prevents premature wear when putting a foot down at traffic lights, and the zipper is chunky and robust.

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

They fit very well, and slide into place without too much of a wrestle.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

They're on the expensive side, and their price puts them in line with offerings from brands like Castelli. As they're sold exclusively through Wiggle, you can expect some discounts, and there's already a fiver off at the moment.

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

Normally I get soaked from head to toe. With these overshoes I just get soaked from head to ankle. They're that good.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The thick neoprene construction, fit and rugged build.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The shouty logo sizes is a but over the top.

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?

An excellent overshoe that does what it says on the tin.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180  Weight: 67

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

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: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,

 

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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