Reviews > Footwear > Overshoes > N.E.O.S. Trekker Overshoes > James E. Triplett > Initial Report

Initial Test Report:

NEOS Trekker Overshoes

New England Overshoe Company, Inc.

Personal Biographical Information:

Backpacking Background:

I grew up car camping all through my childhood.  I later managed to continuously hike the lower 1/3 of the Appalachian Trail, with an external frame Kelty Tioga (loaded to over 50 lb / 23 kg) and some rather massive Vasque boots.  Currently, I spend many weekends backpacking and camping and am out on a daily basis on shorter hikes.  I try and take at least one one-week backpacking trip each year, in addition to several one to three-night weekend trips.

My style can best be described as lightweight, but not at the cost of giving up too much comfort.  I am continually looking at lighter replacement items for gear I own, which is generally not that hard, since a lot of my equipment is rather dated.  I prefer a tent over a tarp, but have not yet tried a hammock.

Manufacturer Information:

Product Information:

Additional Product information:

• High toe box accommodates light hiking boots
• 160 denier pack cloth upper
• NEOS “Perma” sole
• Duraflex quick-release buckle
• Light and packable
• Boot height 20 inches (0.5 m)

Upon Arrival:

The NEOS Trekker Overshoes came in a typical shoebox, which seemed too small for overshoes.  Inside the box, the Trekkers were neatly folded and clipped together using the opposite boot’s mate for each buckle.  I studied this configuration briefly, as this looked like a good way to pack the overshoes, and took the following picture before unbuckling them.

As the Trekker is new, there isn’t any information on the NEOS website as of this writing.  BackpackGearTest has provided the product information shown above.  The Trekker is available to purchase though, at many of the on-line outdoor retailers I typically visit.

Attached to the overshoes was a tag with registration and warranty information.  It spells out that the overshoes are 100% Waterproof Guaranteed, and then goes on to say the warranty is against workmanship and material defects, for one year.  You can “activate your warranty” by registering at www.overshoe.com. For this, according to the web site, you will need the product ID which is located inside the cuff of the right boot.  Unfortunately, at this time the Trekker is not in the drop-down list of products to register.

Initial Inspection:

Based on the information I had gathered prior to receiving the NEOS Trekker Overshoes, I basically expected an un-insulated, high-top, waterproof boot.  That appears to be exactly what I received.  The boots are single-wall 160 denier pack cloth, which is thin (for an overshoe), lightweight, and, well, “cloth-like”.  I am impressed that on the inside of the overshoes, the full length seams are taped with a plastic-type tape, which to me resembles the clear plastic you might see as a repair material for inflatable pool apparatus. The stitching for the attachments of the buckle strap are also sealed inside with this plastic tape. 

Along the top cuff of the boots, there is a “pull-on” loop to aid in getting the overshoes on, and the uppers open extremely wide to further allow for ease of use.  Also at the top of the boot there are Velcro fasteners which secure the wide-opening uppers once they are wrapped around the wearer’s legs.  There is one patch of Velcro on the flap, and three patches of the Velcro mate which allow for some adjustment in how tight (or loose) the boot is secured.  Additional keeper-uppers are in the form of draw-strings, with cord-locks. 

The soles are pliable NEOS "Perma" soles, which are a flexible, rubber-like material, which has more stiffness than say the rubber overshoes of my youth, but are actually quite bendable.  My overshoes (size XL) measure 14 inches (36 cm) from heel to toe along the bottom.  There is a web strap and click-type plastic buckle which fastens across the top of the boot securing the fit around the ankles.

The NEOS "Perma" soles are integrated with the overshoe fabric and there are no removable footbeds.  I was able to turn one of the overshoes nearly inside out, and took the following picture.

Initial Fit:

I have not tried out the NEOS Trekker Overshoes other than to slip them on with some of my current footwear.  My deck shoes and driving mocs (slip-on shoes) seem sloppy in the overshoes, and are probably not a good choice for anything but a quick step outside in a deluge to rescue a new parcel from Backpack Gear Test.  The web strap tightens the overshoes against my foot rather than against my footwear.  My New Balance 806 trail-runners fit easily, with plenty of room to spare, and the web strap is more comfortable with these shoes.  Next I tried some Merrill Chameleons which are mid-weight boots, and the fit and tightening were perfect.  Even my size 12 (US) Dunham Waffle Stomper boots (click here for a report) fit easily and are possibly the best fit and the most stable. 

Other Notes:

Two more items to comment on:  One is that with the 160 denier pack cloth uppers, the overshoes will not stay up on my legs without use of the drawstring around the upper cuff.  My trial fit was done with shorts on; so long trousers may make it easier to keep the boots up.  The second item is that in this brief initial time with the boots, my legs started perspiring under the overshoe fabric.  Based on this, and the fact that the boots have a 100% waterproof guarantee, I believe the fabric is not breathable. 

Test Plan:

Unfortunately, the test period for the NEOS Trekker Overshoes is at a time when they will most likely not see any snow.  It is unseasonably dry here in the Midwest right now, so my testing will begin with seeking out streams and ponds for water evaluation.  I will test the soles for traction on various terrain and experiment with different types of boots and shoes for fit and stability.  When the rain does come, and it will, my testing will involve playing in the mud, hiking in the rain, and complexities (or lack thereof) of overshoe clean-up.  I will also continue to check the web-site to see if I can register the overshoes.

Summary:

These are some neat looking overshoes.  I look at them as gaiters with soles.  So far they are easy to put on and they fit well.  Workmanship appears to be first rate.  They do weigh-in at higher than the listed weight.  Unlike other overshoes I have used, the Trekkers appear to pack down small enough, and they are light enough, to actually pack along on an extended hike.

Respectfully submitted,

-James T.

Reviews > Footwear > Overshoes > N.E.O.S. Trekker Overshoes > James E. Triplett > Initial Report