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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,

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

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1 comments

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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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