Overshoes become an essential piece of cycling kit at this time of year, with lower temperatures and roads covered in water and mud. These Sportful WS Bootie Reflex overshoes employ Gore's Windstopper fabric and serve to keep your feet warm and keep out most of the rain and cold out.
Italian company Sportful use Gore's highly regarded Windstopper fabric in these overshoes, which does a very good job of keeping the cold wind out on all but the coldest days. They're not 100% waterproof, but on typically showery days they'll keep most of the rain out and it needs a decent spell of prolonged rain before saturation occurs. They cope just fine when it's not raining but the roads are slick with water.
The overshoes are smartly constructed with reinforcing panels in key places and, because there isn't that much stretch in the Windstopper fabric, neoprene side and rear sections give a bit of stretch and help to give a really good fit. The neoprene panels also serve to add extra protection around the lower area of the overshoe, which makes a difference when subjected to spray from the front wheel.
On the topic of sizing, I tested a size XL which fitted well, with a snug but not tight fit, over my size 45 Gaerne shoes. They're easy overshoes to pull on, and at the back a full-length zipper keeps them in place. There's no Velcro closure at the top like some overshoes, but I had no issue with the zip undoing itself during pedalling. The zip is lined with reflective material, and the large logo on the side is also reflective.
These are highly capable overshoes that deal with most typical autumn and winter conditions well. They provide plenty of protection from cold winds, insulation and while they're not fully waterproof, they're good enough at keeping out the rain.
Verdict
Insulating overshoes for cold days with really good fit and durability
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Sportful WS Bootie Reflex
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?
The close fitting, over shoe, belies the protection it offers against the elements, leaving feet warm and the anodizing on your cranks!
The side panels of the overshoe are constructed from WS Pursuit Softshell material, providing protection from the wind with good water repellency in all but the heaviest of down pours. The Neoprene sections enhance fit and offer additional insulation.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Neoprene collar, provides a close fit around the leg, stopping any residual moisture from seeping into the shoe
Reinforced openings for both cleat and heel
Gore WS Pursuit Softshell material
Neoprene panels for fit and stretch
360 degree reflectivity
SPORTFUL are technical partners to Team Saxo – Tinkoff
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Ideal overshoes for all but the very coldest and wettest days.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Good balance of warmth, cold wind and rain protection.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.
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,
2 thoughts on “Sportful WS Bootie Reflex overshoes”
How to these compare to the
How to these compare to the Caratti’s tested recently? Would these be more suitable for slightly warmer days?
look well made
look well made
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