Spatz overshoes

cruff

Hoping some hardy commuter will have invested in a pair of these over the past couple of winters and have an idea of whether they're worth getting? I could put up with the ridiculous look of them if they keep my feet reasonably dry over a two hour soaking - absolutely p1ssed off with overshoes/velotoze/winter shoes being as much use as a chocolate teapot. Would rather not have to put up with sealskinz and pruned feet again this year

PhilipPirrip

The journalist Carlton Reid has a pair (not sure which model) and has spoken positively about them. You can contact him on Twitter.

super_davo

There are two members of my clubs winter ride group that have them (I don't myself).
Don't think they would appeal to commuters as they take a long time to get on and off. Long winter rides are another use case altogether.
Bearing in mind this is all second hand knowledge, they do keep your feet drier than other overshoes.
Water can still get in from the top but the exposed part is much less and obviously got further to go so less gets in. They also add significant wind protection for the lower leg.
On the negative side, they don't stop water getting in altogether and they aren't compatible with Pearl Izumi Amfib tights (which is the one solution I know of that does). They are also really expensive and look ridiculous, and take a while getting on and off. But they are considerably more robust than most overshoes which mitigates some of that cost (i.e. should last a fair few winters)

cruff

super_davo wrote:

There are two members of my clubs winter ride group that have them (I don't myself).
Don't think they would appeal to commuters as they take a long time to get on and off. Long winter rides are another use case altogether.
Bearing in mind this is all second hand knowledge, they do keep your feet drier than other overshoes.
Water can still get in from the top but the exposed part is much less and obviously got further to go so less gets in. They also add significant wind protection for the lower leg.
On the negative side, they don't stop water getting in altogether and they aren't compatible with Pearl Izumi Amfib tights (which is the one solution I know of that does). They are also really expensive and look ridiculous, and take a while getting on and off. But they are considerably more robust than most overshoes which mitigates some of that cost (i.e. should last a fair few winters)

Yeah - I posted here because commuters use stuff day in day out - I don't commute by bike any more, this would be for longer training rides Up Norf, but it's good to get a recommendation from people who've used them in anger rather than for one ride of an hour and proclaimed them the best thing sicne sliced bread

Most of the water that gets into my feet is from front wheel spray (don't use a front mudguard as it won't fit on my bike) so I think they'll definitely help with that. Think I'll bite the bullet and invest in a pair. Worse comes to the worst and I can't get on with them I can always punt them on if they don't get too ruined

Cheers

craigmorgan

Cruff wrote:

super_davo wrote:

There are two members of my clubs winter ride group that have them (I don't myself).
Don't think they would appeal to commuters as they take a long time to get on and off. Long winter rides are another use case altogether.
Bearing in mind this is all second hand knowledge, they do keep your feet drier than other overshoes.
Water can still get in from the top but the exposed part is much less and obviously got further to go so less gets in. They also add significant wind protection for the lower leg.
On the negative side, they don't stop water getting in altogether and they aren't compatible with Pearl Izumi Amfib tights (which is the one solution I know of that does). They are also really expensive and look ridiculous, and take a while getting on and off. But they are considerably more robust than most overshoes which mitigates some of that cost (i.e. should last a fair few winters)

Yeah - I posted here because commuters use stuff day in day out - I don't commute by bike any more, this would be for longer training rides Up Norf, but it's good to get a recommendation from people who've used them in anger rather than for one ride of an hour and proclaimed them the best thing sicne sliced bread

Most of the water that gets into my feet is from front wheel spray (don't use a front mudguard as it won't fit on my bike) so I think they'll definitely help with that. Think I'll bite the bullet and invest in a pair. Worse comes to the worst and I can't get on with them I can always punt them on if they don't get too ruined

Cheers

I have a pair and do use them to commute with...but then i do have a 90 minute ride to work so its worth it

They do take a bit longer to get on, but to be honest nothing that would put me off using them

Feet do get wet, but not quite as wet as before......seem to perfer them to the winter boots as they just keep your feet warm while also holding at least 3 gallons of water

asprilla

What are they like for getting bibs over the top?

I've long been considering a pair to go with my Endura Stealth Lite II bib tights. Coupled with a Shakedry I figure I'd be waterproof like an otter whilst retaining the aerodynamics of a weasel.

craigmorgan

Asprilla wrote:

What are they like for getting bibs over the top?

I've long been considering a pair to go with my Endura Stealth Lite II bib tights. Coupled with a Shakedry I figure I'd be waterproof like an otter whilst retaining the aerodynamics of a weasel.

They are quite thick and have found one pair of my bib tights go over but cant do the zip up all the way. Not a problem as the Spatz are warm

I wear mine nanoflex bib tights and dont have a problem really....i do however find them a better seal with road shoes than MTB style....could just be my feet

asprilla

craigmorgan wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

What are they like for getting bibs over the top?

I've long been considering a pair to go with my Endura Stealth Lite II bib tights. Coupled with a Shakedry I figure I'd be waterproof like an otter whilst retaining the aerodynamics of a weasel.

They are quite thick and have found one pair of my bib tights go over but cant do the zip up all the way. Not a problem as the Spatz are warm

I wear mine nanoflex bib tights and dont have a problem really....i do however find them a better seal with road shoes than MTB style....could just be my feet

Which ones do you have? I know the thickness of them varies between 4mm and 2mm depending on which model you have.

jeepie1999

Have a look at Berghaus yeti gaiters. It's what I use.

itboffin

I've had to google these things and er what now a ton for overshoes and ones that look like skin tight wellies

chrisǃ

I got my first pair two years ago. I ride a lot during winter, in all weather. I've just bought my second pair as I wanted a set of the rdman ones for colder conditions. They certainly live up to the hype. If you value warm and dry feet after riding in the rain then you can't beat them!

cougie

Bite the bullet and get a winter bike if you can't fit guards on yours.

cruff

cougie wrote:

Bite the bullet and get a winter bike if you can't fit guards on yours.

Or just spend 60 quid on these, if they work

fenix

You could prob get a fork with clearance for guards for that much. Spraying water on yourself for two hours is what you need to stop first.

asprilla

So, I bought some Spatz Legalz 2.

Wore them today with a shakedry jacket and endurance stealth 2 bib longs.

Completely water proof. Looked like a frog man (not the Farage type). Bit sweaty on the calves but other than that all good. Of course it didnt actually rain during my commute window this morning as promised by we've got the whole winter ahead of us.....