Galibier AQUA Crono II overshoes

The first thing you notice when opening up the packet for the Galibier AQUA Crono II overshoes is just how WHITE they are, gleaming, almost dazzling in their brightness - and you can't help but wonder how long it will be until they are a minging dirty brown. Their feathery weight and jovial brightness mask what is ultimately a performance-based product, with the cover's aim to smooth the flow of air in racing situations.

Without the aid of a wind tunnel it's going to be pretty hard to empirically evaluate how well air is smoothed over the with the addition of the Crono, but it's evident that the buckles and laces are certainly glossed over by the thin rubberised lycra shoe covers. It would seem obvious that the aero impact of the shoes, minimal though it's likely to be, is minimised even more.

These are not really meant for the commute, as the material doesn't lend itself to keeping your feet warm, other than by blocking wind itself. Prolonged usage will impact their lifespan quite significantly. There is some reinforcement on the toe and heel but overall performance and weight seem to have been the key design concerns.

Light drizzle and spray is dealt with well, with the rubberised material doing a solid job at keeping the feet dry. Having said that however, the sole is very open, and like nearly all overshoes, if it's proper wet out then the water will come in from the tops after soaking through the tights/socks etc. Once dirty they are easily cleaned, either a good rubbing or a spray down will get them buff again.

They are very stretchy and supple, so donning them is easy and a simple velcro tab at the rear helps the zip fasten securely without applying to much pressure to the ankle area.

I must say that the whiteness certainly helps highlight your feet in the winter gloom, and with large reflective strips up the rear they provide added visibility for other road users.

If racing is your thing and you are looking to squeeze some marginal gains out then they would make a good shoe cover for your racing needs, but keep using neoprene booties for the commute.

Verdict

Lightweight with few frills; smooth your shoes and add a modicum of weather protection