Northwave Evolution SBS Shoe

The Northwave Evolution SBS is a high-end shoe from the Italian cobblers in Treviso and the racing slipper of choice for the likes of Cancellara, Greipel, Gilbert, Hincapie and the Schleck brothers, so lord knows what I'm doing with them.

As you'd expect from a top clog Northwave have shoehorned a whole boxful of features into the shoe with SBS, AFS, A.S.R 2, WLI, ST 8:4, BioMap, a Pro Footbed and an Omega heel-cup no less.

The BioMap microfiber upper is swooped with mesh panels making for an airy shoe, even on the hottest days, and for extra breeze there's the AFS, or Air-flow-System of an air-vent hidden in the toe bumper that channels air under the sole to exit via twin meshed exhaust ports just to the rear of the cleat, and it really really works, cresting a summit and pointing downhill again a gust of cooling air can be felt rushing under the toes, if there isn't a whooshing sound there should be.

The foot is secured by the popular two mesh straps and one ratchet method and there are no problems with that. The two Velcro straps are both lightweight and secure and the upper ratchet strap can key into one of 4 adjustment holes, or the Ankle Strap Regulation2 system according to Northwave, giving about 20mm of lateral movement ensuring that the fat and soft EVA centre pad that's also shark's-fin serrated underneath for grip sits centrally over the foot, with the upper edge of the pad being gently scalloped to allow for greater ankling comfort.

The ratchet features S.B.S. which is Northwave's 'Step By Step' micrometric closure system, the metal buckle clicks tighter with sharp positivity and if that feels a bit too cramped once on the move there's a micro-release button in the centre for fine tuning, with a full release button to the side for when the day's work is done. Underneath all this the tongue is fatly padded with large mesh sections to keep with the vented theme and the lip is serrated so if forms to the foot without bunching. Out the back the Omega heel cup is a solid affair despite having breezy holes in and is well cushioned internally where 'cat-tongue' technology keeps the heel secure, the fabric inside the heel has a definite rough nap to it that's aligned downwards so as to friction resist heel lift. The rear heel bumper protecting the carbon sole from caf floors and gravel driveways is replaceable.

But what sets the Evolution aside from the pedoton (see what you did there - ed… don't do it again) is its carbon and wood, yes wood, sole. From the outside the Evolution SBS looks normal for this calibre shoe with a formed and contoured ST 8:4 - 3-Layer full carbon sole, the 3-hole cleat area is covered with a layer of rough material to increase grip, is marked for easy set up and replacement and if you run Look pedals there's a central Look cleat positioning key too, which is nice. But inside and underneath the Performance Pro insole your sock is presented with a shaped piece of wood, blimey. That'll be the W.L.I. then, or Wood Lasting Insole. With claims that this wood insole dissipates heat more effectively and absorbs vibration better the shoe certainly feels different to an all synthetic one, warmer and more organic to the foot, if that makes any sense, similar to the subtle difference between walking on wooden floors to something man-made. The shoe is plenty stiff enough though with no feeling of energy being wasted between the foot and the pedal, be that in a race situation or trying to squeak every last drop of effort into the rear wheel when grinding up a long climb, and yet despite the stiffness it's certainly not uncomfortable, even for big old days in the pedals. The only downside is that when the wood gets wet, and this being England it's only a matter of time, the shoe can take a long time to dry out, though there hasn't been any warping or dry, or wet, rot yet.

The fit of the Evolution is pretty much what you would expect from an Italian manufacturer, that is thin, low and narrow, although the toe-box on the Evolution isn't as pointy-toed as other Latin shoes and with the square shaped end providing a more open toe-box it opens up the shoe to a wider range of more Hobbity feet. They're not the lightest pair of shoes out there but they're certainly not hob-nail boots and the left shoe was slightly heavier on the scales than the right, not something noticeable on the foot though, that could be put down to density variables in the wood used I guess and the fit, stiffness and the comfort more than makes up for any meagre weight penalty.

Available in White, Black, Red and Light Blue

Verdict

Light enough and certainly stiff enough to be struck off the list of excuses they're also comfortable enough thanks to their unique organic footbed construction which is a bit of a curveball in today's plastic fantastic culture but it works beautifully. The fit and adjustment is also spot on and used for a fast mix of racing, training and just plain riding they've skipped along without any bother.