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review

Northwave Extreme Road Winter GTX boots

8
£229.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Very good shoes for fending off winter's cold and wet
Weight: 
931g

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Northwave's Extreme Winter GTX boots are as good as winter cycling shoes get, keeping your feet warm and relatively dry, as long as you understand the limitations of the very idea of 'waterproof cycling shoes'.

For me, the most important function of winter shoes is to keep my feet warm. After all, it's cold for several months but doesn't actually rain constantly, even though it sometimes feels that way. I'm also fortunate to live in Cambridge, which is one of the driest cities in the UK. You may feel differently if you live in Cardiff or Glasgow.

> Find your nearest dealer here

The Northwave Extreme Winters do a good job of keeping out the cold. I've finished three-hour rides with my feet still comfortable, and in winter that's as long as I want to be out, thanks.

They're not quite as good at keeping your feet dry. I rode for two hours on two consecutive days, the first wet, the second dry, with temperatures down in the low single figures. My socks were slightly damp from sweat on the dry ride, but distinctly wet on the rainy day. That left my toes colder on the wet day, though not by enough to be intolerable.

I minimised the chance of water getting in the top of the shoes by using Pearl Izumi Amfib tights, which have a softshell section at the ankle that reaches over the top of the shoes to keep water out. (A criticism often levelled at winter cycling shoes is that they're pointless because water runs down your tights and gets in the top; the Amfibs fix this.)

The wet was evenly distributed around my socks and the lining of the shoe, so I don't think it was getting in the top. Either water was seeping through the shoe or, and I think this is more likely, I banged up against a fundamental limitation of the shoe's Gore-Tex lining: it's far less efficient at letting out water vapour when the outside is actually wet.

NorthWave Extreme Road Winter GTX Detail.jpg

This is what I meant earlier about understanding the limitations of waterproof shoes. Waterproof, breathable materials can only do so much; they're not miraculous.

Nevertheless, I've used lots of different waterproof shoes over the years, mostly because I never seem to be able to find both of any given pair of overshoes. Well, that and I hate cold feet enough that I wear shoes in the winter that are a bit bigger than in summer to make room for thicker socks. If you're going to do that, you might as well have shoes that provide some weather protection too.

I used the Extreme Winter shoes with Rapha winter socks, which are quite a bit bulkier than summer socks, so I went up a size. That also left room for circulation-enhancing toe wiggles, which I find help fend off frozen toes.

Features and construction

Northwave seems to have gone all-out to make the Extreme Winters the best winter road shoes it can produce. Essentially they're an updated, road-going version of the Northwave Extreme GTX mountain bike shoes David Else tested a while ago.

Let's take a look at the details, starting at the bottom.

The sole is a carbon fibre and fibreglass unit that Northwave says has a stiffness rating of 10, on a scale that goes up to at least the 15 rating of the Northwave RR shoes and thus deprives me of the chance to go for a Spinal Tap gag.

Whatever '10' means, the sole is plenty stiff enough, and supportive. It's drilled for three-hole cleats but you can't use Northwave's adapter for Speedplay cleats with these shoes. That's a bit annoying as the Speedplay adapter works with most other high-end Northwave shoes.

NorthWave Extreme Road Winter GTX Sole.jpg

There's a Gore-Tex footbed between the sole and a nicely-shaped, firm insole. Then we get to the main protection from the weather, the Gore-Tex Sierra membrane, which incorporates insulation in its structure to keep you warm as well as dry.

Northwave calls the upper Double Shield Construction (DSC) as it incorporates features of a regular shoe and an overshoe. There's an inner shoe made from a softshell-style material, with a raised cuff, and around that a more conventional-looking mesh and synthetic leather outer casing. A pair of dial closures pulls the whole lot together around your foot, and there are overlapping flaps at the top of the ankle to keep the weather out, with Velcro closures.

NorthWave Extreme Road Winter GTX Lace.jpg

The whole ensemble is very comfortable. Your feet are cushioned in every direction; the feel is more like wearing a lightweight speed-hiking boot than a cycling shoe.

That's helped by the Boa-style dial closures. Northwave calls its version of the idea S.L.W. 2 (Speed Lace Winch) and the pair makes for easy and quick fine-tuning of the tension over the top of the foot.

> How to keep your feet warm while riding in winter

I like dial closures in general, but I think they're doubly valuable in a winter shoe because you want to be able to get the tension exactly right so as to restrict your circulation as little as possible. If you need to loosen them while riding, there's a button on the dial that releases the ratchet one click at a time. That's different from the Boas on the previous Extreme Winters, and it's a small but handy improvement.

Construction is very good overall and there are plenty of thoughtful touches, such as replaceable heel pieces to protect the sole, and rubberised uppers around the toes. However, the tip of the left sole is showing signs of wear from being touched down, so it'll be getting a few blobs of Shoe Goo shortly.

Verdict

Very good shoes for fending off winter's cold and wet

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road.cc test report

Make and model: NorthWave Extreme Road Winter GTX

Size tested: Size 10, Black

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Aimed at cyclists who want to carry on riding and training through the winter, however grotty the weather gets. Northwave doesn't actually say much aside from the details below, but importer i-Ride says:

The Northwave Extreme Winter road GTX boot is built to withstand extreme winter weather conditions. Northwave has used the Gore-Tex Sierra membrane which creates a 'micro climate' in the shoe allowing you to face very cold, wet riding conditions. Along with a double shield construction where by two layers of upper are integrated to provide maximum protection against water.

Top Features:

Speedlight 3D sole provides superb stiffness during pedalling

Gore-Tex® Sierra membrane upper creates a 'micro climate' in the shoe ensuring maximum comfort and protection

S.L.W.2 closing system + Power Strap for a really snug fit

SPD-SL compatible

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Northwave says:

SIZE 39 - 48 (HALF SIZE 39,5-45,5)

* Carbon Light sole made of carbon and fibreglass with a stiffness index of 10.0

* Water- and windproof Gore-Tex® Sierra membrane delivers excellent thermal insulation

* D.S.C. Double Shield Construction: two integrated uppers form a barrier that generates the ideal microclimate for feet

* Double SLW2 dial with a power strap at the ankle

* Integrated heel system ensures efficient heel retention

* Special GTX footbed works in synergy with the membrane

* Reflective inserts for enhanced visibility

* Temperature: -25°/+5° C

Biomap

Your energy is precious, never waste it. That's why our shoes are designed with BioMap technology. Northwave soles, uppers and all their components are anatomically compatible with every cyclist's feet and are designed to keep the foot in the right position while pedaling, transmitting power directly to the pedals without wasting any energy.

Gore-Tex®® Sierra membrane

Available on the brand new Extreme Winter, the Gore-Tex ® Sierra membrane features excellent thermal insulation, making it ideal for your bike rides even in late winter, for those who love challenges. Totally waterproof and breathable, it is also a guarantee of durability boasting a high resistance to abrasion.

DSC - Double Shield Construction

Extreme Winter stands out for the revolutionary Double Shield Construction (DSC). The overlap of two different uppers, anatamically integrated with each others and designed to work together, ensure an absolute protection against water and cold. The outer layer blocks the weathered while the inner works by creating a microclimate ideal for the foot. All the benefits of a shoecover, none of the weakness of a shoecover.

Carbon Light Sole

Carbon fiber and fiberglass offer demanding cyclists like you the stiffness you need combined with an ultralight design.

S.L.W.2 closing system

The micrometric system S.L.W. 2 (Speed Lace Winch) represents the evolution of the closure system. Maximum precision and modularity. The innovative step by step closure means you can tighten and enlarge the fit in a few moments.

The side button provides a dual function: by pressing, it features a micrometric release and lifting it allows a complete and immediate opening of the shoe. More lightweight and thinner. The dial has been completely redesigned in size and weight, resulting in being significantly lighter and thinner. The external covering in soft touch material also makes the grip more effective.

The ergonomic shape of the S.L.W. 2 ratchet follows the anatomy of the foot to make it really comfortable. The S.L.W. 2 ratchet is easily replaceable. The cables come from the best technology derived from the world of sailing.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Very well put together with no tatty seams or untidy stitching. For £230 you'd expect no less.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

They keep out most of the wet, and - more importantly to me - they keep in the warm.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Everything is robust and beefy – I'd expect them to last for several seasons.

Rate the product for fit:
 
9/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10

While they're not summer-shoe featherweight by any means, this is a good weight for winter shoes.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

£230 is unarguably a lot of money for a pair of cycling shoes, especially ones you're not going to use year-round. On the other hand, the alternative is a pair of really good overshoes, and shoes a bit bigger than usual so you can wear winter socks. That's going to run to £100-£150 so the premium for having it all in one well-designed package isn't ridiculous.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

They've needed no more than a post-ride rinse after getting filthy.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well for keeping in the warm; okay for keeping your feet dry.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Having warm feet.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The price is a bit ouchy.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

Very good winter boots. I wavered between knocking a point off for the price and not, and eventually decided not. You can pick these up for under £200 if you shop around, which is a lot more reasonable than the RRP, they do the job well, and the quality of construction is very high.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 48  Height: 5ft 11in  Weight: 85kg

I usually ride: Scapin Style  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, general fitness riding, mountain biking

John has been writing about bikes and cycling for over 30 years since discovering that people were mug enough to pay him for it rather than expecting him to do an honest day's work.

He was heavily involved in the mountain bike boom of the late 1980s as a racer, team manager and race promoter, and that led to writing for Mountain Biking UK magazine shortly after its inception. He got the gig by phoning up the editor and telling him the magazine was rubbish and he could do better. Rather than telling him to get lost, MBUK editor Tym Manley called John’s bluff and the rest is history.

Since then he has worked on MTB Pro magazine and was editor of Maximum Mountain Bike and Australian Mountain Bike magazines, before switching to the web in 2000 to work for CyclingNews.com. Along with road.cc founder Tony Farrelly, John was on the launch team for BikeRadar.com and subsequently became editor in chief of Future Publishing’s group of cycling magazines and websites, including Cycling Plus, MBUK, What Mountain Bike and Procycling.

John has also written for Cyclist magazine, edited the BikeMagic website and was founding editor of TotalWomensCycling.com before handing over to someone far more representative of the site's main audience.

He joined road.cc in 2013. He lives in Cambridge where the lack of hills is more than made up for by the headwinds.

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6 comments

Avatar
Simmo72 | 7 years ago
0 likes

Great fit if you have wide-ish feet, the toe box is excellent.  very supportive, they keep you warm, they keep you dry unless water runs down in from the top, but you still stay very warm.

My problem and for me it is a huge issue is the cleat hole position.  if you compare these to bont (which I use) shimano or specialized, the 3 holes are postioned poorly for anyone who likes or needs to ride with their cleats pushed back.  the difference to the bonts is over1cm which in cleat set up terms is massive, too much for me and therefore I cannot use them.  a waste of money unless I can drill some new holes.  a real shame.

Avatar
Rapha Nadal replied to Simmo72 | 7 years ago
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Simmo72 wrote:

Great fit if you have wide-ish feet, the toe box is excellent.  very supportive, they keep you warm, they keep you dry unless water runs down in from the top, but you still stay very warm.

My problem and for me it is a huge issue is the cleat hole position.  if you compare these to bont (which I use) shimano or specialized, the 3 holes are postioned poorly for anyone who likes or needs to ride with their cleats pushed back.  the difference to the bonts is over1cm which in cleat set up terms is massive, too much for me and therefore I cannot use them.  a waste of money unless I can drill some new holes.  a real shame.

What size do you have?  I could be interested in buying from you if available? And they fit, obviously!

Avatar
Gasman Jim | 7 years ago
0 likes

Tried Sidi, Shimano and Specialised winter road shoes over the years. But these Northwaves are the best by a mile.

Avatar
OnTheRopes | 7 years ago
1 like

I cannot comment on speedplay as I have never tried, but I can vouch for what fantastic boots these are. Totally waterproof, though of course in heavy downpours it will just pour down the ankle so you will still get wet feet j nless you use something like these http://www.pearlizumi.co.uk/men-s-elite-amfib-bib-tight  which have a waterproof skirt that covers the ankle.

However if you get feet then they will still stay warm in the coldest of weather with just a single pair of winter ankle socks. I have the road version and the MTB version and wouldnt be without them in winter or wet weather rides

Avatar
MamilMan | 7 years ago
0 likes

I bought these boots in the last month.

They're a great fit. I can't vouch for them being waterproof but they are very warm.

 

I bought them after reading how NW's 'Extreme' sole was Speedplay compatible. 

They even have a big label on the sole telling you that. Alas NW are liars! Worse... the blanking plate for the NW Speedplay adapter actually rattles around inside the sole.

The inside of the sole does not have the cut out so you cannot access the blanking plate. You could cut it out yourself of course but because it is a boot with a membrane it is almost impossible to reach in that far with any kind of knife.

You may mention that this is what keeps the boots waterproof and that's a good point but still something that could be resolved with a secondary membrane on the NW adapter itself.

 

Because of this Speedplay issue I am left with a bitter taste over these and am unlikely to buy anything of theirs again.

Avatar
DoctorFish replied to MamilMan | 7 years ago
0 likes
MamilMan wrote:

I bought these boots in the last month.

They're a great fit. I can't vouch for them being waterproof but they are very warm.

 

I bought them after reading how NW's 'Extreme' sole was Speedplay compatible. 

They even have a big label on the sole telling you that. Alas NW are liars! Worse... the blanking plate for the NW Speedplay adapter actually rattles around inside the sole.

 

 

Are they still doing this?  I returned a pair of their shoes a couple of years ago as they claimed they were speedplay compatible but there was no way of getting to it to attach to the plate.  When I asked the question (I think of the Wiggle helpline) I was told to put a hot hairdryer in to try and melt the glue a bit and then use a knife and then try and pull it out.  

All terribly safe and seemed to me I would wreck the shoes.  I sent them back!

Due to this I thought very hard before buying anything of theirs again, but I have bought a pair of their boots (Northwave Celsius 2 GTX) which are superb, but I use them on my winter bike  that is fitted with speedplay frogs.

 

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