Galibier Ardennes Overshoe

The Galibier Ardennes Overshoes are a durable and well-designed solution to keeping your feet as dry and comfortable as possible in rain and cold weather.

> Buy now: Galibier Ardennes Overshoes for £44.10 from Galibier

Pull these overshoes out of the packet and you can see the thinking that has gone into their design. First off, there’s a tall leg that covers about a third of my calf that will help prevent road spray seeping down your tights. (And for anyone racing under UCI rules, you will be pleased to know that these are race legal length… phew!)

On the outside there are Kevlar-reinforced toe caps that promise added durability where needed, and reflective panels at the back for visibility.

Turn them inside out and you’ll find silicone strips at the edge of the sole and around the top cuff, as well as taped seams that all add to their water-resistant credentials. And at the side there is a large Galibier roundel, which is a handy way to remember which is your left and right.

They are built from four-way-stretch insulated neoprene that offers a racing fit, and promises warmth and good waterproofing. And they feature a large Velcro strap at the bottom that will work with SPD or Look-style clips.

There’s no zip at the rear, but I tend to find that the zip is often the first thing to fail on overshoes. To put these on, you need to slide them on before you put your shoes on and then roll them down over the toe and heel to get them in place. When you have the Velcro strap secure, they hug the contours of your foot and feel surprisingly comfortable around the back of your leg.

That four-way stretch ensures that the overshoes move with your leg so there’s no awkward restriction as you pedal. This is helped by a thinner elastic strip at the back that helps to accommodate different leg sizes.

In use

It was a frosty morning when these got their first outing, on a route that was very lumpy, but these overshoes moved easily with my leg and kept my toes perfectly warm in temperatures around the 5°C mark.

By midday the temperature crept into double figures and the hills started to get even steeper. I started to overheat, so decided it was time to ditch the overshoes. The lack of zip means you have to take your shoes off before you can peel yourself out of these.

I could feel the sweat that had built up around my calf, which suggests these really are designed for colder conditions and might struggle over more mixed temperatures, both because they are very warm and require a bit of a faff to get on and off.

I tested these during a particularly dry spell, so instead of rain I gave them a hose test in the garden. With the ‘rain’ pouring directly onto the neoprene for over 10 minutes, my feet stayed impressively dry.

They got their first taste of real rain in an unexpected 20-minute shower, and again managed to keep my feet perfectly dry and cosy, and then they got a final test in a genuine downpour. The high leg cuff kept rain out very well indeed. The overshoes themselves seemed to do an excellent job of keeping water out from above, but it managed to find its way into my shoes – presumably through the cleats, as I went through a handful of standing puddles.

> 12 secrets of riding in rain — get wet & still have fun

My feet might have endured a slightly soggy ride home in the dark but they stayed perfectly warm, and this was a chance to check out the nice reflective detailing at the back. I got a friend to ride 100 metres behind and they gave the overshoes the thumbs up. Reflective material on a part of the body that is moving, such as at the foot or knee, can be particularly effective, according to researchers.

Durability

I’ve had a number of overshoes fail on me after a year or so, thanks to weak stitching or crummy zips. I have one pair where the neoprene tore after just a few months. So I can really see the benefits of a zipless design. It does involve a little more faff if you have to take them off mid-ride, but for days when the temperature is going to remain in single figures that isn’t going to be a problem.

The Kevlar toe caps add to their durability, and the simplicity of the design all bodes well. Galibier suggests that you spend as little time as possible walking in these overshoes, but I don’t always find this easy to avoid. But at least here, with no zip, it is easier to undo the Velcro and roll them up, if you find yourself having to hike up a section of road or loose gravel, as has happened to me a number of times while I’ve been testing them.

After a few months of consistent use, I can see a few signs of stitching fraying in places but nothing that seems out of the ordinary. I can imagine these performing well for a number of seasons and lasting significantly longer than other overshoes I have used.

You can’t throw these in the wash, according to the care instructions, but they are easy to keep clean with a bit of a hose down and rinse off when they do get muddy.

Value

If the Galibier Ardennes deliver on their promise of good durability – and I have no reason to doubt they won’t last a number of years of tough use – they represent very good value. At just over £44 they’re nearly half the price of some.

The Spatz Legalz got a big thumbs up from Josh when he tried them out in 2023; they are no longer available, but the Fasta Lite UCI Legal Race Overshoes sit in a similar niche and cost £74.99.

Castelli’s Diluvio UL Shoecovers come with a high cut and good waterproof credentials. When Mat reviewed them back in 2021 he gave them four stars and rated them for their hardwearing credentials and warmth in all but the coldest conditions – but then they are £80.

For more options, check out our guide to the best cycling overshoes. And maybe our guide to essential wet weather cycle clothing and gear while you’re at it…

Conclusion

Overall, the Ardennes overshoes deliver a really impressive performance. They’re proving very durable, and will keep your feet dry, warm and comfortable on long days in the saddle.

> Buy now: Galibier Ardennes Overshoes for £44.10 from Galibier

Verdict

Really impressive pair of overshoes that promise durability, comfort and the ability to deal with really grotty weather

All the deals displayed on our review pages are pulled from a constantly updating database feed of the best affiliate deals available. The criteria for deciding on what are the best deals is who is offering the lowest, delivered price. In most cases we will be showing the very best deal available online, but sometimes you may be able to find an item cheaper. If you can please feel free to post a link in the comments box below. To find out more about affiliate links on road.cc click here.