DEXSHELL HEAVY DUTY CASTELLI PIOGGIA 3
Construction
DexShell’s heavy-duty overshoes are made from four neoprene panels, joined with flat-lock stitching. The rear panel on each side is a little more robust, to resist the additional stresses from pulling the overshoe on and fastening the zip. The sole has two openings with reinforced elastic edges, and abrasionresistant fabric around the toe and mid-sole areas for durability. The zip is waterproof, with a reflective strip on each side, plus there’s a reflective logo at the front, and the ankle cuff has a wide elastic band with an internal silicone gripper and rubbery Velcro strap.
Fit
Our size-large overshoes were a great fit for size 45 shoes and quick to put on. The robust toe and midsole areas gave enough stiffness to help the overshoes hold their shape, but had enough stretch to let you pull them in to place first time. The cleat and heel openings are a good size and perfectly positioned, and the heel loop is useful.
Protection
The ankle cuff is snug, without being tight, so there’s no gap for cold or spray to enter. Neoprene insulates well, and the DexShells offer instant, sustained warmth and wind protection. They resist spray and light rain well, but prolonged wet will saturate them. Add that to the inevitable water soaking down your tight and you’ll
eventually get wet feet.
Verdict
These overshoes are warm and durable plus their generous sole openings should help prevent you damaging the material when walking around.
Construction
Pioggia means rain in Italian, and Castelli has tried hard to keep your feet dry with these. The two-panel shoecovers are made from stretchy, waterproof PU-coated fabric that has a micro-fleece lining. The central and lower toe seams are taped, the ankle cuff has a silicone gripper at the top plus a wrapover Velcro strap, and the rear zipper is waterproof, with reflective strips on each side. The onepiece sole is a tough, one-waystretch rubberised fabric that has two holes with reinforced elastic edges.
Fit
Thanks to typical Italian sizing, we needed a size larger than usual. They needed a little fiddling to position the cleat opening correctly, though, and we found it impossible to keep the fabric around the smaller heel opening from fouling the heel a little. Their generous stretch makes them easy to zip up and fasten, and once properly positioned, their low bulk and foot-hugging profile is flatteringly aero.
Protection
The ankle cuff seals well and works with the waterproof PU coating to keep spray and rain at bay. However, even with the thin micro-fleece lining, these overshoes rely more on retaining generated heat than creating it. They’ll keep your feet dry longer than average, but water always finds a way in so you’ll be glad of the
windproofing.
Verdict
A stylish and highly protective shoecover, which fits superbly and sheds rain effectively, so long as you look after its fairly delicate upper. Robin Wilmott