Georgia In Dublin Leggits Waterproof Overshoes

Waterproof gaiters are not exactly a new concept in the walking market, and cyclists have been wearing overshoes for donkey's years. But these Georgia In Dublin Leggits are proper long, waterproof gaiters for cyclists, exclusively female ones, and a pretty innovative idea. But is it useful and do they work?

Created in Dublin, where it rains a LOT, these are designed to sit just below the knee, protecting the full lower leg from rain, splashes and general road grot, while allowing the wearer to retain some semblance of personal style. And this is where the Leggits! – most important not to leave off the slightly baffling exclamation mark- are an interesting proposition. The idea of stylish waterproof leg protection doesn't exactly seem intuitive.

Made from PU coated 100% polyester they are seam taped, so are fully waterproof, apart from the openings obviously. They fasten with reflective Velcro tabs at the outside and the sole is made from recycled inner tubes, hand picked and sliced by Georgia herself. The sole is structured so that these are wearable with pretty much any type of footwear, be it technical cycling shoes with cleats or ballet pumps, and are even supposed to work for those ever impressive (to me) uber-stylish ladies who cycle in high heels. The ruched finish at the front makes them a snug fit to keep the water out, but also has a stylish quality, elevating them above the taped up plastic bags that I've seen cyclists resort to in the past.

So, do they work? Quite simply, yes. They were a little tricky to put on to start with, a problem exacerbated by getting the wrong size first time around, due in part to the slightly quirky sizing guide, where a UK size 6/7 is an EU39 and a UK 4/5 is a 36/38 (EU39 is usually a UK5.5/6). I normally take a size 38/39 and the 4/5's were all but impossible to put on, but the larger size fitted perfectly. Suffice to say, read the sizing guide carefully and if you're not sure, then go larger. So, once on they were comfortable, secure and actually looked quite good. There was fairly limited breathability in the fabric, and therefore some moisture build up. Very little water came in the top of the Leggits! and shoes remained nice and dry at the bottom. Cleats were no problem at all when I tried them with cycling shoes.

The only real snag with these, if it is a snag, is that they do require a bit of effort on the part of the wearer in clothing selection. The photos we took really don't do them justice, as, like the Hustle and Bustle jacket from Georgia in Dublin, the Leggits! are really a functional accessory for a more urban and stylish type of female cyclist, not for lackadaisical country scruffbags like me. The photo from Georgia in Dublin shows them as they should be worn - they actually look good when teamed with tights, leggings or skinny jeans, but really don't cut it with baggier legwear, and don't even consider wearing them with shorts!

Verdict

A great way of keeping your legs smart and dry when it's wet out.