Pro Tarmac NPU Overshoes - not very good IMO

fleshtuxedo

Bought some of these mainly on the strength of recommendations, but I'm pretty disappointed. They're not that warm and seem to let a lot of wet in. Problem seems to be the excessively large cutouts in The sole for the cleat and the heel. I use SPD-SL which has I think the biggest cleat, yet there's a huge amount of spare hole. The heel hole goes up the back of the shoe. I have the right size, it's a good close fit.

My feet were numb today after only 2 hours at about freezing, and my feet were pretty wet from snowmelt. I was expecting better.

Has anyone successfully added a bit of DIY extra insulation?

bendertherobot

They're brilliant IMO. -3 this morning, warm feet.

And not a bit of rain gets in.

bendertherobot

They're brilliant IMO. -3 this morning, warm feet.

And not a bit of rain gets in.

MarcBC

The heel hole on my NPUs wraps nicely around the rear of the heel plate on my Specialised road shoes. The cleat hole, that is a different matter. That is enormous and leaves two holes in my shoes open to the elements.

Pokerface

FleshTuxedo wrote:

Has anyone successfully added a bit of DIY extra insulation?

Yes. They are called "socks".

johnnyhotdog

I'm not particularly happy with my Pro Tarmac H2O overshoes.

The cleat hole is far too big and exposes the vent holes in my shoes, the stitching has come away from the zip on one of them and the taped seams have untaped themselves. meaning they're not waterproof anymore. (I've used them less than ten times.)

Considering they're rated as being suitable for -5 to +10 degrees, they don't keep my feet particularly warm either. I had numb toes today (I still do!)

Waynenio

Cheers guys, I was going to buy a pair of these for racing in. I have a set of altura neoprene fro commute and training and they are maga warm and 100% waterproof. A little bilky for racing in though.

can anyone suggest a mid season overshoe that will keep out the rain?

ShutUpLegs

Tried out my planet-x overshoes today, toasty significantly better than my old enduras

Empty cyclepaths, desolate roads, long may the cold weather be here

rogerthecat

I only got 1 winter out of my Pro Tarmac H2O overshoes, just got some Rapha ones, going out in the Morning I will let you know, I have some SIDI gortex boots but the are hurting my feet and knees so back to basics, on that note if anyone want to buy my boots they are a size 47 only done about 200 miles PM me.

mattbass789

To digress slightly I just bought endura Equipe neoprene ones. After being plagued with issues from the ankles being too big. Seems pointless for wind and waterproofing. The enduras are smart, great fit, and no zips either. No chaffing!

Would recommend in an instant. Though they are abit hard to get on, dependant on shoe.

hopper1

Well I have Pro Tarmac NPU+'s and H2O's, no problems in two years (1 year for H2O)...
I can't see what you guys are on about... Unless you're using the 'enduro' fit!
Mine fit neatly (very close) around my SPD-SL cleats and are a good fit at the heel, too.

fleshtuxedo

What's the 'enduro fit' hopper?

hopper1

FleshTuxedo wrote:

What's the 'enduro fit' hopper?

There are two different fits available in overshoes:
The Endure (Multi fit) are basically for MTB shoes, so you can still walk in them without trashing your overshoes.
The others are for wearing with Road shoes and, in my experience are much closer tolerances around the cleat and heel.

Multi fit

Anonymous

3rd winter so far with My NPUs and have had no probs. I get bad circulation in my feet som they always get cold anyway.
After the revelation of Santini Windstopper gloves I may try their overshoes next...

pilot_pete

Pro Tarmac H2Os.......rode in them less than ten times and the internal seam seal tapes started to come unstuck. Returned and (reluctantly) replaced by the retailer. I did mention if the new pair go the same way I will be looking for a refund. He claimed I had been 'overstretching' them............. :roll:

PP

rogerthecat

rogerthecat wrote:

I only got 1 winter out of my Pro Tarmac H2O overshoes, just got some Rapha ones, going out in the Morning I will let you know, I have some SIDI gortex boots but the are hurting my feet and knees so back to basics, on that note if anyone want to buy my boots they are a size 47 only done about 200 miles PM me.

Well after 2hrs 30 mins, thermal insoles and Rapha over shoes my feet were still cold, so guess I will just have to live with it, BTW my second water bottle froze :shock: The first I kept shaking to break up the ice crystals, good ride though.:

ShutUpLegs

rogerthecat wrote:

rogerthecat wrote:

Well after 2hrs 30 mins, thermal insoles and Rapha over shoes my feet were still cold, so guess I will just have to live with it,

Did those overshoes look nice though? Have you tried any Thermolite socks?

rogerthecat

The over shoes are beautiful, if over shoes can be beautiful, not tried Thermolite socks though, I will have a look.

fleshtuxedo

From looking at the photos more closely,it looks like the cleat and heel holes were smaller on 2009 Pro NPUs. The 2010 ones I have have more hole than sole and are consequently a bit crap.

:roll: