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Overshoes
BTwin Black Knit Shoe CoversBTwin Black Knit Shoe Covers

BTwin Black Knit Shoe Covers

6
by Caven O'Hara
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published May 17, 2014

0
£8.99

VERDICT:

6
10
Designed to keep out the lighter weather elements rather than a full on deluge
Weight: 
75g
Contact: 
www.decathlon.co.uk
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B'Twin's black knit shoes covers are designed to be worn in the spring and autumn to protect your shoes from getting dirty on wet roads and to reduce chill by adding a bit of wind resistance. They do offer some protection but if you actually get caught in the rain they'll have minimal success in keeping the moisture out.

For £8.99 it would be foolish to expect a product that will offer all that protection without any real waterproof qualities. The knit used is thicker than you would expect and the polypropylene which forms the majority of the material used offers useful resistance to tearing when you try and get them on or off.

The windproofing qualities are mixed. The thicker knit offers limited warmth but in some of the extremes we have experienced recently they only offer a little respite. The splash proofing again is good with a limited amount of moisture around, but for any long rides or heavy downpours you're left with soggy feet and shoes.

Getting them on and off is a struggle. Without the rear access either with velcro or a zip you have two holes, reinforced to prevent tears, one for your cleat and the other for your heel. With quite a long ankle this makes for quite a faff and hopping around to actually get them in place.

Sadly they are more hindrance then help given their limited use even once you get them on. If you're been practicing your yoga you might have more joy getting them in place than I did.

Verdict

Designed to keep out the lighter weather elements rather than a full on deluge.

road.cc test report

Make and model: BTwin Black Knit Shoe Covers

Size tested: 45/47

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?

The B'Twin knit shoe covers have been designed to keep out or stop your shoes picking up the rubbish left on the roads from a downpour or mud and spray. This they do pretty well but if you're faced with anything too heavy they won't cope. Given they are knit shoecovers and cost less than a tenner would you expect much more?

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

Made from a thick knit weave, the B'Twin's do a reasonable job of keeping your feet a bit warmer and drier when it's damp out, but they're not suitable for proper rain. They are reasonably chunky so the thicker elements won't get through.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Despite my reservations about using a knit shoe cover they have proved to be remarkably durable, demonstrating that they're well made.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

They work well in only a limited range of conditions. The material and lack of serious weather proofing will always limit their range.

Rate the product for durability:
 
6/10

Even though they are called knit shoe covers, as I've already mentioned, the knit is thicker than normal and therefore proven to be long lasting but over a winter/spring this may not be the case.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10

At 75g they aren't overly heavy.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
5/10

Once on you don't notice them but getting to that point is akin to a wrestling match.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

For the money they are good value but the drawback about there limited suitability and difficulty in getting them on or off reduces the success.

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

Designed to keep of the light road spray and keep out the chill.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Something different in terms of looks.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

It was a real struggle to get them on or off.

Did you enjoy using the product? Not really, it's difficult getting overshoes on at the best of times but these took it to another level.

Would you consider buying the product? No.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? No.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Given the price it's a shame there wasn't more to like. The B'Twin knit shoe covers just involve too much effort to get on.

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 45  Height: 178cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride: Currently riding a Pinnacle Evaporite Three  My best bike is: As above

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, sportives, mtb, Not yet but looking to dip my toe in the world of TT

 

BTwin Black Knit Shoe Covers
Btwin

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