In this article I will review the Shimano Dual Rain Shoe Covers CW-FABW-VS42U that I use in combination with the Sidi Drako 2 SRS Carbon Mountain Bike shoes. I will have a look at some of the design features, that are welcome for off-road use !
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Design features Dual Rain Shoe Covers from Shimano
The most important design features are:
Dual for Shimano SPD SL and Shimano SPD
The dual naming is aimed to describe that the Shimano Rain Shoe Covers can be used both on the road and off-road. I own two pairs of Sidi Wire SP shoes with Speedplay Zero cleats, and use the Shimano Dual Rain Shoe Covers with these road shoes. So it is not specifically about the SPD SL cleats.
I specifically purchased these Shimano shoe covers for the Sidi Drako 2 SRS mountain bike shoes with carbon sole. I’ve added a protective toe tip and Sidi studs to these shoes, so my current GoreTex shoe covers don’t fit the Sidi Drako 2 SRS mountain bike shoes.
So the extremely open sole area is the key driver for the dual use on road bike and mountain bike. A sufficient hook of reinforced fabric on the toe part of the shoe, and keeping it open enough for studs on mountain bike, combined with a strong velcro strap in the middle of the foot to keep the shoe covers in place. Other brand like BBB also a have a design with a velcro strap in the middle of the foot, so let’s see what the used materials can do from a durability point of view.
Splashshield with reflection band
The grippy band at the top of the Shimano Dual Rain Shoe Cover seals off the space between lower leg and shoe shoe cover. This means that (most of the) water dripping down your leg will route over the outer part of the Shimano shoe cover (in stead of directly into your shoe). The material used comes close to the stopper bands we see at cycling shorts (with that grippy rubber finish on the inside).
Different manufacturers of shoe covers use different materials and different designs for this part of the shoe cover the connects to your lower leg. GripGrab for example have even an extra product the Cyclingaiter in their line up that is aimed at keeping the splash water out.
Finally the shoe cover halves are stitched together in the middle. The seams are taped on the inside as you can see in one of the pictures. So this is an additional protection to keep the water out.
Dual Rain Shoe Covers in Practice
October and November have been months in the Netherlands with a lot of rain. So these are the perfect conditions to test these shoe covers.
I really really like the open sole area works perfectly with the protective toe tip and studs on my Sidi Drako 2 SRS carbon shoes. The only thing you need to think about is putting on the covers first and make sure the rubber gripper of the SplashShield is in place on your lower leg. Than put on the shoes, putting the shoe-cover in place over the toe and heel area. And finally close the velcro in the middle of the shoe.
There is a different option that I haven’t tried yet putting the SplashShield gripper directly on the skin (and the leg warmer over it). However than the clothing order will change a tiny bit as well.
I have been riding with the Shimano Dual Rain Shoe Covers in heavy rain (over the leg warmers), and at some point the water will go through the fabric of the leg warmer onto your ankle and heel. It feels like you are getting wet feet, but when taking of the shoe covers at home, the Sidi Drako 2 were dry on top and my feet were a bit sweaty and not completely soaked. So overall the Shimano Dual Rain Shoe Covers do a good job in keep your feet almost dry.
Concluding thoughts and wrap-up
I was looking for a pair of good rain covers that protected my feet and Sidi Drako 2 SRS Carbon mountain bike shoes from the autumn and winter dirt in the Netherlands. The GripGrab Toe Covers do a long job on the road bike, it will not work with studs and Sidi Drako 2 SRS Carbon Shoes.
The Shimano Dual Rain Shoe Covers work well with Sidi Wire SP road shoes as well as with the protective toe-tip and studs of the Sidi Drako 2 shoes. The price point was € 33,99 which is reasonable for a pair of good quality shoe covers that can be used with road and mountain bike shoes.
What brand and model of shoe covers are you using ?
