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Overshoes
Prendas Ciclismo Aqua Light Winter Overshoes Prendas Ciclismo Aqua Light Winter Overshoes
Prendas Ciclismo Aqua Light Winter Overshoe

Prendas Ciclismo Aqua Light Winter Overshoes

8
by David Arthur @davearthur
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Mar 12, 2014

0
£29.95

VERDICT:

8
10
Well made and well priced overshoes ideal for changeable spring conditions
Weight: 
131g
Contact: 
www.prendas.co.uk
How we test

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The Ciclismo Aqua Light Winter Overshoes from Prendas are light, water resistant shoe covers that fit well. They are ideal for the current weather, with warmer spring temperatures but still a risk of rain, and plenty of wind to keep out of your socks. And mud off your shoes too.

The fit is good, but a little on the relaxed side. I'm used to overshoes always putting up a damn fight to get them on and zipped up, so it was a pleasant surprise to find how easily these went on. What a revelation. However, they do feel a little loose, and you could probably say they're not as aero as they potentially could be, if that matters concerned you. Going down a size might be just the trick. For reference, I tested the size 45/46 over my size 45 Gaerne shoes.

They do up at the back with and a combination of a zip on the bottom half, and a wide Velcro tab on the top half. This combination was favoured by Prendas because it puts less pressure on the zip, a potential failure point on some overshoes. It's a design that works well, and these have been working great for the past few months without fuss. Zippers can sometimes dig in at the back of the ankle, so the adjustable Velcro tab gets around this issue.

The bottom of the shoe is made from a tough hard-wearing material and they've been very durable during testing. The cleat hole and heel cutout are sealed with stitched piping. The contrast stitching looks smart and the Prendas logo on the side gives them a simple, understated presence on your shoes. The zipper is lined with 3M Scotchlite reflective tape, but I like to see a bit more reflectivity around the side and front of the overshoes for those dawn rides.

The 'light' in the name is the giveaway for the intended conditions. Prendas decided their winter overshoes were just overkill for the mild winter, so designed these Aqua Light overshoes to be more breathable. And rather than being waterproof, the lightweight elastic material has a water resistant treatment. They are fine in drizzle, dealing with road spray and splashing through puddles.

So if you don't ride in the rain, or at least don't intend to, and want a lightweight overshoe for the spring to see you through to oversock weather, these are a good stop-gap from bulkier waterproof winter overshoes. They work really well for the intended conditions, they keep the wind out and they handle light rain, they're a pretty good fit and they're durable too.

Verdict

Well made and well priced overshoes ideal for changeable spring conditions.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Prendas Ciclismo Aqua Light Winter Overshoe

Size tested: Black XXL - XL also sent

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?

Whilst our own-brand 'Air Tunnel' overshoes are a fabulous Winter overshoes, we felt they were sometimes too warm for warmer Winter days and Autumn/Spring usage.

So after months of development, both on the drawing board and using prototypes out on the road, we are pleased to introduce these new Prendas 'Aqua Light' Overshoes.

Sitting in-between the 'Air Tunnel' overshoes for Winter and the Cordura oversocks, these new overshoes are constructed with a light elastic fabric that is treated to resist rain and spray from the road. These overshoes are from the same dependable manufacturer as Air Tunnel. Although the fabric is called "Aqua Light" and they may seem not as robust as the Air Tunnel model, they are less bulky and do an excellent job. Andy here at Prendas has used them for a daily commute for weeks without suffering from cold or wet feet. They still look in good shape also.

They have a generous velcro tab closure on the rear, allowing us to use a shorter zip that relives pressure on the zip giving it a longer life.

PLEASE NOTE: These overshoes are not waterproof and are not sold as such. They are water resistant, and do a very good job, but the material is not waterproof.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Top quality for the price.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Great at this time of year, and fine during a mild winter when you don't really need a bulky waterproof overshoe.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Yep no problems there, they're a well thought out design that shows Prendas have paid attention to the details to ensure they last a fair few seasons.

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

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

Ideal for spring and mild winter weather, basically when it's not raining and is above freezing, they're just the job.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Fit well over the shoes, zip and Velcro closure.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Relaxed fit.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 8/10

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,

 

Prendas Ciclismo Aqua Light Winter Overshoes
Prendas Ciclismo
David Arthur @davearthur

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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