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review
Overshoes
Sealskinz Waterproof Cycle Over SockSealskinz Waterproof Over Cycle Sock

Sealskinz Waterproof Cycle Over Sock

8
by Mat Brett
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Oct 6, 2014

6
£35.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Lightweight protection against wind and rain, and they take up little room if you want to carry them in a pocket just in case
Weight: 
111g
Contact: 
www.sealskinz.com
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The SealSkinz Waterproof Cycle Over Socks offer lightweight protection against wind and rain and they take up little room if you want to store them in a rear pocket.

These fall somewhere between Belgian booties (over socks) and full-on neoprene overshoes.

Like SealSkinz' well known waterproof socks, they're a three-layer construction: a polyurethane membrane is sandwiched between a polyester/cotton/elastane inner layer and a nylon/elastane outer.

That polyurethane layer is waterproof. Sure, you can get wet feet while wearing these in prolonged heavy rain, as with any overshoes, but that's not because water gets through the fabric, it's because water can seep in via the cuff and wick its way down.

In short showers and lighter rain, though, your feet stay completely dry, and plenty of breathability means that sweat can get out more easily than with neoprene options.

These are completely windproof and that goes a long way to keeping your feet warm in cooler weather, although they don't offer as much insulation as thicker neoprene overshoes so I'd say these are more suitable for autumn/spring than for the depths of winter.

Getting the over socks on and off is simple enough because they're very stretchy, and they fit snugly as long as you get the right size. One big plus is that you can roll them up small so they take up little pocket space if you want to carry them on a ride as an insurance policy against the heavens opening.

Thankfully, the woven inner layer of the over shoes didn't stick to the Velcro straps on my shoes as I expected it to, although it does take longer to dry than neoprene. For that reason, these might not be the best option if you need to use them more than once a day – for commuting, say – unless you have good drying facilities to hand.

As with any over socks, you'll want to keep walking in these to a minimum to prevent damage. As well as the cleat hole, they have a hole for the heel but you'll still need to be careful if you want to increase longevity.

Verdict

Lightweight protection against wind and rain, and they take up little room if you want to carry them in a pocket just in case

road.cc test report

Make and model: Sealskinz Waterproof Cycle Over Sock

Size tested: n/a

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?

SealSkinz say:

"Produced under our patented StretchDry technology, ensures your shoes & feet remain clean, warm and most of all dry.

- Totally waterproof, breathable and windproof

- High stretch material provides ease of fit and a streamlined finish

- All season use, as it also protects against dry dusty conditions

Material composition:

65% Nylon, 35% Elastane

Hydrophilic Membrane

52% Polyester, 27% Cotton, 21% Elastane"

They provide much more protection than normal oversocks but they're not as warm as thicker neoprene overshoes.

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

SealSkinz say:

"Hydrophilic membranes are nothing new, they block water getting through but allow smaller sweat droplets to pass through, meaning it is the perfect waterproof, breathable membrane. However one thing waterproof membranes don't do is stretch.

"Our patented StretchDry technology enables us to produce a product which has a hydrophilic membrane but has stretch and as such we can produce products which are not only waterproof and breathable but also fit closely to your body, giving next to skin dry comfort.

"Our products are developed in such a way as to give 100% waterproof protection whilst being incredibly breathable and dexterous. Add in varying layers of insulation means we can offer waterproof products for all climates."

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

It's a pretty simple construction: a sock with holes for the cleat and shoe heel.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

They're thicker and more durable than most oversocks but the fabric is still quite easy to damage if you walk in these. You really need to take them off before walking any significant distance.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

You barely know you have them on because they're very stretchy, flexible and breathable.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

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

The fabric works well to keep your feet dry and to keep off autumn/spring chills.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The waterproof fabric, easy to stow in a pocket.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

You are going to damage the sole section sooner or later - that's the case with all oversocks and, to a lesser extent, overshoes.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Perhaps. They make a lot more sense than other oversocks.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

If I worked for SealSkinz I'd be marketing these as lightweight overshoes rather than as oversocks because they're waterproof and windproof. Think of them in that way and the price makes a whole lot more sense.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 43  Height: 190cm  Weight: 75kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

 

Sealskinz Waterproof Over Cycle Sock
Mat Brett

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

Add new comment

6 comments

Avatar
alotronic | 10 years ago
0 likes

I would back up the review - I've had a pair for two weeks.

They are like deluxe old-school sock-style covers but with that sealskin extra waterproofness. I would recommend them as an easy to wear layer that feels light and packs down enough that you can put them in a jersey pocket, ideal for changeable weather on a long ride. They are easily warm enough for this current 10 deg cold snap and would be good down to about 4/5, but they are not super warm neoprene and would struggle with a 4 hour 0 deg ride (most do, to be fair)

They are not hard-wearing though. Abuse them with some regular walking as I do and they won't last long at all. And they have that unique sealskin smell if they get dirty and wet. Luckily you can just chuck them in the machine.

So a good product, but I will be retiring mine to sunday best - where they should have been all along - and looking for something else for the commute with walk (sigh).

Avatar
nniff | 10 years ago
0 likes

It's pushing it for a repair to a hard surface, but for a repair to fabric it's excellent - it sets clear and flexible - comparable to but much tougher and more adhesive than silicon sealant. It's also really good for patching up a beaten up tyre from the inside, although it lasts quite well on the outside too

Avatar
notfastenough replied to nniff | 10 years ago
0 likes
nniff wrote:

It's pushing it for a repair to a hard surface, but for a repair to fabric it's excellent - it sets clear and flexible - comparable to but much tougher and more adhesive than silicon sealant. It's also really good for patching up a beaten up tyre from the inside, although it lasts quite well on the outside too

Sorry, I COMPLETELY misread your comment, I thought you were sticking some gloop to the plasticky protruding bits on your shoes (the grippy bits that try to keep your smart carbon soles away from the concrete) to prevent them wearing down! Still, I've got scuffed overshoes that would benefit...

Avatar
nniff | 10 years ago
0 likes

McNett Seamgrip is the answer for holes in overshoes and as a preventative measure for the spot in front of the cleat that always wears out. Tough as anything and flexible. Millets sell it

Avatar
notfastenough replied to nniff | 10 years ago
0 likes
nniff wrote:

McNett Seamgrip is the answer for holes in overshoes and as a preventative measure for the spot in front of the cleat that always wears out. Tough as anything and flexible. Millets sell it

Not heard of this - you use it on the protective bits to prevent them wearing down? Interesting if so, as I don't have any shoes where they are replaceable.

Avatar
notfastenough | 10 years ago
0 likes

Would have been ideal yesterday. Nice bright morning when I couldn't resist wearing my best shoes, but having these in a pocket would have come in handy.

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