Q36.5 WP Cycling Overshoes

Tell us what the product is for

Q36 5 says: 'A rainproof overshoe that could quickly become your go-to winter overshoe, the Anfibio features a 3-layer fabric that includes an integral waterproof membrane to keep you warm and dry during rides from 2°C to 18°C.'

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

Q36 5 says: 'Thanks to its seamless construction, the Anfibio fits like a second skin, without wrinkles.

A reinforced outsole constructed with a different yarn and a PU print assures durability, while to the rear, a large Q36.5 logo provides eye-catching reflectivity.'

Surprisingly solid for what at first glance looks like a giant sock.

Kept my feet nice and toasty in temperatures below 10°C. During testing the temperature didn't fall below 7°C, which felt like around 5°C taking wind chill into account.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much these stood up to in the test period – but I am aware that November doesn't represent the depths of winter.

Comfortable on the leg without feeling too restrictive, and they fitted really well over the size 40 wide Lake cycling shoes I wore during testing.

I tested the size 40-43 and wear a size 40 cycling shoe. The fit was nice and snug over the shoe with minimal bagginess at the front ankle crease.

Nice and light – enough for me to forget I was wearing them.

Not too compressive on the lower calf, and they fit well over the shoe.

They are towards the dearer end of the scale for overshoes, at £81, sitting within the range of the Spatz Legalz overshoes, which are more focused on wet-weather protection. For less money but with a similar 'oversock' look, the Giro Xnetic H2O Shoe Covers impressed Leon with their performance in changeable conditions.

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

Washed well and without issue at 30°C.

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

Despite my testing time being November, and in Yorkshire, the temperature hovered around 10°C until the last week or so of testing. The overshoes worked really nicely when it dipped below 10°C, although I'm not sure how they would fare at sub-zero temperatures.

I was surprised how effective the membrane was at keeping water out – with water first appearing in my socks from the usual places on the sole, but even then only after a heavy downpour.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

I really liked their low-key look. It does look a bit like you're wearing socks over your tights but that keeps the weight down and I genuinely forgot I was wearing them on more than one occasion. They work well in chilly temperatures even without thermal winter socks on.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

I know there isn't a better way to get them on, but there's no escaping the fact that it's a bit finicky. In contrast to most other overshoes, where you put your cycling shoes on first – you actually put the Q36.5s on first, pulling them over your ankle and then stretching them back down over the shoe. It is time-consuming and it also doesn't feel like you're giving the material the best chance to survive long-term. Removing the overshoes can also be a little difficult after a cold and wet ride.

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

At £81, the WP over shoes are expensive for a pair of overshoes. They're within the realm of the more wet-weather-focused Spatz Legalz. For £20 less you can grab the Giro Xnetic H2O Shoe Covers, which impressed us with their performance in changeable conditions and which have has a similar oversock design.

Use this box to explain your overall score

The Q36.5 WP overshoes are seriously good. While I can't comment on whether they would be suited to a full-on winter's day, they are well suited to the sub-10°C November weather I tested them in. They kept my feet warm and mostly dry, as there will be some water ingress when you ride in heavy rain rain. They can also be a bit fiddly to take off after a ride.