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review

Sealskinz All Weather LED Cycle Overshoe

7
£55.00

VERDICT:

7
10
Made-to-last overshoes with effective lighting at the heels, but a very tight fit
Robust
Very well made
Extra visibility
Tight fit suits summer shoes only
Weight: 
199g

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Unless you're sporting full-on winter boots, good overshoes are essential. Sealskinz' All Weather LED Overshoes are up there with the thickest and weather-resistant-est ones on the market, with the bonus of lighting you up like a Christmas tree. However, if you're near the top of your size range, you'll struggle to get these over anything but the daintiest summer slippers.

The All Weathers come in two designs: the Cycle Overshoe and the Open Sole Cycle Overshoe (£50); the latter suits flat pedals as there's nothing to get snagged by pedal pins. These are the 'closed' road shoe variety, so I duly dug the summer shoes from the bottom of the wardrobe for some winter test-rides.

I know you're all dying to hear about the USP here – those flashing heels – and can report that they do catch the attention, particularly at night. A light makes you noticeable but a moving light doubly so, and when there's two of them you can double it again. UK law says pedals should be fitted with reflectors, but since almost no serious pedal has them, here's a way of making your heels semi-legal again.

2021 Sealskinz All Weather LED Cycle Overshoe - LEDs.jpg

In winter daylight they're less effective, but still worthwhile. My wife reported she needed to be within about 100 yards before she really noticed them; my cycle light was visible from much further. They aren't meant to be a replacement for proper tail lights.

> 6 tips for cycling at night – don't let the dark stop you riding

The lights themselves are simple little button-shaped items that fit down a pocket on the heel and into a plastic ring. They stay securely in place. You give them a long squeeze to turn them on, a quick squeeze to scroll through the patterns (two flashing and one steady), and another long squeeze to turn them off. One of mine was a little easier to operate than the other. Once in place, I left them alone.

2021 Sealskinz All Weather LED Cycle Overshoe - LEDs 2.jpg

A 3V CR2032 lithium battery supplies the juice. These can be bought almost anywhere, and changing one is simply a matter of removing the red silicone cover. Sealskinz says you should get up to 240 hours on flashing mode and oh, how I wish I could tell you I've done 240 hours of riding this January.

2021 Sealskinz All Weather LED Cycle Overshoe -LED out of overshoe.jpg

It's not just about the gizmos though. These are quality overshoes with or without the lights. The YKK zips are robust, sensibly positioned and bearing an internal baffle – a good touch. The seam stitching is a work of art.

2021 Sealskinz All Weather LED Cycle Overshoe -gripper.jpg

The soles are also tough. Every overshoe I've ever had has gone at the toe (on one memorable six-week tour I reduced a pair to shreds), but Sealskinz has gone as far as reinforcing the toes (and seams) with Kevlar. They're still looking good.

There's highly reflective detailing down the lengths of the zips, and a glow-in-the-dark Sealskinz logo for added side visibility. On that subject it's a shame they only come in black.

2021 Sealskinz All Weather LED Cycle Overshoe.jpg

Unfortunately, summer shoes and the All Weather LED Overshoe weren't a warm enough combination for me, the old chilblains complaining loudly under the bed sheets for about a fortnight after the first sub-zero ride. Also, my winter bike throws a lot of spray over my toes, despite the full-length guards – and some of this got through. That's the nature of neoprene, of course. On the plus side, breathability is excellent.

Sizing

I tested size L, which Sealskinz' size guide describes as UK 9-11 (EU 43-46). That should be fine for my size 11s, but they looked small right out of the box and while neoprene offers some stretch, it's not that much. No more than enough to just get these over my lightest road shoe, in fact.

Getting the zip over the ratchet on my Mavics was an interesting challenge, and resulted in a peculiar bulge (on the shoe... stop sniggering at the back). If I'd been buying I might have gone up a size, though the Sealskinz site is insistent the sizing is accurate. The four sizes should cover anyone from UK size 3 to 14, though I have my doubts!

Value and conclusion

If you aren't sold on the lights, the All Weather is available without for £15 less than this £55 LED version. Around £40 to £55 seems to be a popular pitch for winter overshoes. We recently tested the Castelli Diluvio UL Shoecovers at £50 and liked them, though I'd argue the Sealskinz are better finished. Hydra Tech's Pro Pioggia Winter Overshoes are new to the market, and at £40 offer a balance between race cut and weather resistance.

> Buyer’s Guide: 16 of the best cycling overshoes

I haven't yet forgotten to remove the lights before putting these overshoes in the wash. I suppose it's only a matter of time. And even when you do remember, here's a pro tip – put them somewhere safe. Our cat had one down the back of the sideboard in no time.

Even if you do lose one or both flashy bits from Sealskinz All Weather LED overshoes, or they die in the laundry – or the cat – you'll still have a very good, robust and useful pair of overshoes.

Verdict

Made-to-last overshoes with effective lighting at the heels, but a very tight fit

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Sealskinz All Weather LED Cycle Overshoe

Size tested: Large

Tell us what the product is for

Says Sealskinz, "We designed the All Weather LED Cycle Overshoe to keep you seen and protected out on the road. Riding in the dark is sometimes unavoidable, and staying safe out on the road is so important. These overshoes will not only keep you visible, but they'll also shield you from the rain and cold."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

90% Neoprene, 7% Nylon, 3% Kevlar

Sizes small/medium/large/extra large

Integrated LED lights

Reflective

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
10/10

Really well made, lovely stitching on the seams and a general air of quality all round.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

These are good, thick overshoes, comfortable and well designed – so likely to last more than one year, which helps mitigate the outlay. They let a little water in at the toes (as neoprene does) but aren't warm enough over road shoes on really cold rides, for me at least. The trouble is, if you're the same you can't get them on over anything more robust.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

I've only had one pair of overshoes last more than one winter (some indestructible Northwave jobbies) but I'm confident this will be the second pair.

Rate the product for fit:
 
7/10

The shape over a smooth shoe is very good, with no wrinkles or gaps. They're very snug, though – see sizing – and I need all the stretch. Over my ratchet-fastening shoes they look a bit odd.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
5/10

According to the size guide these should fit, but I found them tight and a bit of a stretch to get on, though it helps to keep the fit smooth.

Rate the product for weight:
 
5/10

Thick and chunky means none too light.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10

No unwelcome pressure points, and warm over road shoes down to around zero.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

An overshoe robust enough to see you through more than one winter is better value than two cheap pairs that fall apart, in my opinion. If you think the lights are a gimmick, you can save £15 and get the plain-old All Weather Overshoe.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

These are very easy to clean. Just remember to take the lights out!

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

They're designed keep the warmth in and weather out, and they do. Personally I'd rather wear more winter-orientated footwear than summer shoes with covers, even as chunky as these, but that's an individual choice.

The lights are simple, work well and aid visibility, but if you're skeptical they are available without.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Excellent construction and materials. Zip baffle. Yes, okay, I like the flashing lights.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The less-than-generous size.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

We recently tested the Castelli Diluvio UL Shoecovers at £50 and liked them, though I'd argue the Sealskinz are better finished. Hydra Tech's Pro Pioggia Winter Overshoes are new to the market and £40. They offer a balance between race cut and weather resistance.

Sealskinz' own All Weather Overshoes do the same job as these, minus the electronics, for £40.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes (for autumn/spring)

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

There's lots to like here: the excellent construction, good looks, and the strong zip with a nice baffle. I even fell for the pulsating disco heels. For me, they aren't deep winter-warm enough in combination with summer shoes, though, and you won't get them on over anything chunkier.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 54  Height: 6'2  Weight: 73kg and holding steady

I usually ride: Cannondale CAAD10   My best bike is: Tomassini Prestige

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb,

Add new comment

7 comments

Avatar
El Tel | 3 years ago
1 like

I have a pair of these. They take forever to put on. And having the zip on the outside doesn't help.  There have been occasions where I just couldn't be bothered with the fight to get them over my shoes. 

Avatar
leipreachan | 3 years ago
0 likes

I wasn't happy with the quality of non-led version AT ALL.

Yes, I'm using SPD cleats. Yes, these overshoes will be damaged much faster.
Anyway I completed one single 100k brevet in those and they were destoyed beyond repair.
More over that - my legs were wet.

Avatar
Rakkor | 3 years ago
0 likes

I've had a couple of pairs, I like them, but the tight fit means they are very hard to get on over my size 12's. The LEDs on the heels does give me some comfort that I'm more visible, on dark, dank winter mornings.

Avatar
OnYerBike | 3 years ago
4 likes

UK law says pedals should be fitted with reflectors, but since almost no serious pedal has them, here's a way of making your heels semi-legal again.

Whilst I appreciate that if you're well lit and highly reflective after dark (as I imagine most cyclists who buy these will be) you're unlikely to be stopped by the police, can I just point out that that's not how the law works...

Avatar
Alessandro | 3 years ago
0 likes

I picked up a pair of these from Sport Pursuit the other week for £17.99 after the zip on my £50+ Endura pair that I bought in November failed before Christmas. I haven't been out to test them properly yet but doubt I'll have too many complaints given the price I paid for them. 

Avatar
The _Kaner replied to Alessandro | 3 years ago
0 likes

Similarly, mine were from Sport Pursuit too (Halo version...which I assume are the same product).
They are fine, warm and keep enough of the water out, but do end up sweating if about >5 degrees.
Also very prone to just randomly switching on, even whilst stationary.

Avatar
keirik replied to The _Kaner | 3 years ago
0 likes
The _Kaner wrote:

Similarly, mine were from Sport Pursuit too (Halo version...which I assume are the same product).
They are fine, warm and keep enough of the water out, but do end up sweating if about >5 degrees.
Also very prone to just randomly switching on, even whilst stationary.

In my case they seem to randomly switch off, in fact I've never yet completed a ride where they've stayed switched on

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