Sportful WS Bootie Reflex overshoes

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