These DexShell Heavy Duty Overshoes certainly live up to their name, dealing with pretty much everything the British weather can throw at them. Their design isn't exactly groundbreaking in any way, but you are getting solid performance and durability.
Over the last 20-odd years I've worn plenty of overshoes like this: a thick neoprene/nylon blend that stands up well to water both from below and above, a full zip closure, and plenty of reinforcing around the toe and heel. These Dexshells work really well – on very wet days rain might make its way in from the top, but it'll take a good couple of hours before it penetrates the fabric itself.
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The beauty of neoprene, though, is that it is designed to keep you warm when you inevitably get wet, and on cold morning rides in the rain I never suffered from numb toes.
Their temperature range is good too, especially in the dry. I had no problems riding with a hard frost on the ground, and it'd be around 12°C before my feet would start feeling clammy.
DexShell's size guide is spot on, and the fit is great: they stretch easily around road shoes with chunky Boa-style enclosure systems.
A bit of give in the material means they fit snug as your foot rotates through the pedalling motion, as well as making them easy to get on and off – along with the full-length zip on the rear, obviously, plus the pull tab on the heel.
I'm not a massive fan of a zip on the rear, as many tights use a zip in the same place which can clash and cause irritation. If you haven't got that issue then the zip here works well, the tab making them easy to pull up or down with gloves on, and its design keeps the water out.
The zip is kept in place when done up by way of a Velcro strap which stops it working its way down as you pedal.
When I was commuting, I'd easily go through a pair of overshoes each winter purely because they'd wear out on the bottom from walking to and from the bike. These DexShells are heavily fortified against that happening, with a much more hardwearing fabric being used for high wear areas like the sole and front, where it extends up over the top of the toes to avoid damage from catching your mudguard. They are also stitched around the openings for the cleat and heel bumper.
Fitting them around any cleat wasn't an issue, even bulky Speedplays.
The overall quality is pretty good, a few stray threads here and there, but nothing to detract from the look and performance.
> Buyer’s Guide: 15 of the best cycling overshoes
Price-wise, £37.99 is competitive.
Castelli's Diluvio UL shoecovers are of a similar build and performance for £50. dhb's Aeron Lab Neoshell overshoes are also 50 quid, though it does offer an Extreme Weather Neoprene overshoe with an rrp of £35.
Conclusion
These Dexshells are a hardwearing pair of overshoes that cope well with all of the crap weather we can expect in the winter months. They're very good, and well worth the money.
Verdict
Good waterproofing, warmth and fit for not a huge amount of cash
Make and model: Dexshell Heavy Duty Overshoes
Tell us what the product is for
DexShell says, "Made from neoprene fabric with a water resistant reflective zipper. The elastic cuff band with silicone gripper ensures slip-free fit. A semi-open sole with abrasion-resistant fabric panels reinforces the entire toe area and the middle sole."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Fabric: 90% Neoprene, 10% Nylon
Rate the product for quality of construction:
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
8/10
Rate the product for sizing:
8/10
Rate the product for weight:
7/10
Rate the product for comfort:
7/10
Rate the product for value:
6/10
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
I just let the rain wash them.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Impressive water resistance, and keep your feet warm should they get wet.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Close fit.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The zip can clash with bib tights.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
They're cheaper than some – Castelli's Diluvio UL shoecovers and dhb's Aeron Lab Neoshell overshoes are both £50 a pair – and just a few quid more than dhb's £35 Extreme Weather Neoprene overshoes.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
They're very good: decent quality and value, and perform well.
Age: 42 Height: 180cm Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,
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