Northwave H2O overshoes

As their name suggests, the Northwave H2O overshoes are aimed at wet weather riding. They only have quite a light Roubaix-style flocking on the inside for a bit of extra warmth, rather than being full-on neoprene or having thicker insulation. This means there’s a lot less bulk than with many shoe covers and they’re easier to get on and off and more comfortable to ride in than some. It also means that they’re good for damp roads when the temperature’s hovering between about 5 and 10 degrees, rather than for really cold rides.

Watch: buyer's guide to overshoes

The polyurethane coating is pretty durable and has stood up to scuffing and washing while the seam up the centre is tape sealed on the inside to keep the rain out. The velcro strap at the ankle helps get a tight fit there so that trickle down from the top is not a problem, although as usual road spray and surface water do find their way in through the sole openings.

These openings are large, with the bottom being open from the reinforced section which fits over the toe right down to the back of the heel, although there’s a central Velcro strip under the instep to keep the two halves together and provide some adjustability.

>>> How to dress for wet weather cycling (video)

At the rear there’s a reinforced patch with a reflective heel loop and reflectives run up either side of the zipper too. This is backed with a storm flap to help reduce water ingress and held together with a Velcro strap at the top.

In summary, these are nicely made overshoes, a good weight for UK conditions and durable. If you don’t fancy orange, they’re available in yellow or reflective black too.

For more details visit the i-Ride website.