The Fizik Artica GTX are claimed as all-weather shoes and can withstand rain, cold and snow. The multi-layer Gore-Tex membrane does help improve warmth but not as much as I had hoped – and, for some riders, there may be sizing issues that impact warmth further. That said, when it comes to winter options they are right up there with the best mountain bike shoes.
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The Terra Artica GTX is the latest off-road version added to the line-up, with a road version of the same shoe also available. With the Artica X5 no longer available, these may be aimed as a replacement for that model. Others, including the Terra X2 and the Cimla X2 both remain in the winter model range. Fizik does not give a suggested temperature range as some other brands do but with all the images showing ice and snow, it would be fair to assume that negative temperatures would be considered normal.
Fizik Terra Artica GTX winter shoes – Technical details
The Fizik Terra Artica GTX is available in EU sizes from 36 to 48 with half sizes also available from 38.5 to 46.5 with only one width available. Following the Fizik Size guide, I measured my feet wearing thicker socks and chose to increase the size by 0.5 (EU) size based on previous experience with winter cycling footwear.
The shoe is fully waterproof and windproof with a Gore-Tex Koala membrane and weather protection that extends to the top of the ankle cuff. Inside the ankle cuff, the fabric is a soft and generously thick fleece with a single L6 Boa dial on the outside and a single strap. The single Boa is only adjustable in one direction – to tighten. To loosen it you simply pull up the dial to remove all the tension.
The sole is a Fizik X5 rubber with a typical tread pattern for an off-road shoe. It’s identical to the Terra Atlas and has some rather minimal toe studs fitted but there is the option to add something more substantial should you wish to – although nothing is included in the box. The sole stiffness is rated at 5 out of a possible 10 – a rating that is identical to the Terra Atlas shoe.
Fizik Terra Artica GTX winter shoes – Fit and performance
The Artica GTX shoes have been tested in cold weather, with several sub-zero rides and the lowest temperature spotted while riding was -5 degrees C. The shoes have also been used on some wet rides.
The shoes might be waterproof in terms of materials used but, just like all other footwear I have tested, in wet weather, the water will run down your leg and into the shoe. This results in very wet and increasingly cold feet as the waterproof membrane works in both ways – meaning it also traps said moisture inside. Despite using a specific shoe-drying air blower, moisture-absorbing boot bags and leaving the shoes above a warm radiator, they took days to dry. This isn’t a problem specific to the Artica GTX, with many other waterproof winter footwear suffering from the same issues.
Riding on colder days, and not having cold air flowing through the shoes does improve warmth and comfort, assuming there is no water ingress. The thick sole area felt much warmer than normal shoes, combined with a soft insole that I also found comfortable. The thick insole does impact comfort somewhat but it is a trade-off I am sure many will be happy to make. Another impact of the thicker sole, which is dependent on what you normally use for cycling shoes, is a possible increase in your overall leg length. This means you might need to lift the seatpost/saddle height slightly.
How much warmer the shoes are will depend on what socks you choose to wear and this raises another issue.
The Fizik Terra Artica GTX is only available in one width and I do not believe it is wide enough for use with thicker winter socks. The width feels identical to that of the Terra Atlas and is more acceptable for a standard shoe. Fit will be personal and, for some people with narrower feet, you may be fine. I used the shoes with relatively thin winter socks and still felt like my toes were crushed.
The inability to use a thicker sock impacted warmth protection, and I suffered from cold feet and the toe area in particular on the sub-zero rides. Given the choice, on the colder days, I would have worn my preferred normal summer shoes with Spatz GRVLR overshoes instead. A winter shoe such as the Fizik Terra Artica GTX has an advantage anywhere you need to walk, as almost all overshoes( even overshoes with a more durable sole area) will suffer damage if there is a significant amount of walking.
Fizik Terra Artica GTX winter shoes – Adjustment
Because the shoe is fully enclosed, it can make getting them on a little more difficult. It was really good to see a substantial loop on the back of the shoe to aid in fitment.
The shoes feature a single Boa and strap adjustment which, for a winter shoe, is fairly common. The L6 Boa is one of the more basic versions available with incremental tightening but if you need to loosen them you must pull up. This makes getting the right amount of adjustment far more difficult and I really missed the ability to fine-tune the retention. When you consider the high price, I would have expected a Boa with a two-way adjustment.
The single strap is quite high up on the foot and I made the mistake of adjusting this too tightly. Doing so meant the strap was cutting into the front of the foot when pedalling. This is at least easy to adjust and can be sorted even when wearing thicker winter gloves.
Fizik Terra Artica GTX winter shoes – Verdict
Almost every brand of cycling footwear will have an off-road winter model, so the competition is tough. The Fizik Terra Artica GTX winter shoes are priced at the upper end of the spectrum and cost £260 for a pair.
The Gaerne G.Ice Storm tested a few years ago are cheaper but have even less adjustment and more fit issues. The Shimano MW702 (a slightly updated version of the Shimano MW7) is, for many, the market leader and it is also cheaper at £220. One brand that is a specialist in winter shoes is 45NRTH with the Ragnorok (a replacement for the Japanther) model most similar to the Artica GTX priced at £195.
For those looking to ride through winter and keep their feet warmer, winter boots can be fantastic and the Terra Artica GTX does help add some warmth and comfort. However, they are not exactly the toastiest option and if just adding warmth is your main priority, overshoes will do a similar job.
You might also like:
- Winter mountain biking – your guide to riding in the cold
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- Top tips to make the most of the off-road night riding season
Product purpose:
Off-road winter cycling shoe featuring a waterproof GORE-TEX membrane and insulating, breathable fleece lining for better warmth and comfort on cold-weather MTB and Gravel rides.
Terra Artica GTX is our off-road winter cycling shoe. Both insulated and equipped with a breathable, waterproof GORE-TEX membrane, it is a versatile shoe that is reliable for all-terrain riding, gravel grinding, mountain biking, and beyond.
BUILT FOR BAD WEATHER
The Terra Artica GTX is designed for off-road winter riding in any weather. Fully insulated, waterproof and breathable, our performance all-terrain shoe comes ready to roll in extreme climates and is built to protect you from the most severe weather, whether you’re tackling snow-covered technical trails, rain-soaked downcountry laps, or epic, icy gravel adventures.
GOOD RIDES WITH GORE-TEX PROTECTION
Featuring an insulated GORE-TEX Koala membrane, Terra Artica GTX is fully waterproof, meaning you can rely on proven performance to keep you dry when it matters most. But beyond simply stopping wet weather, the advanced GORE-TEX technology is optimized for better breathability.
FLEECE FIGHTS COLD
To fight against frozen toes and keep feet toasty, the Terra Artica GTX features a brushed-fleece lining. The effect is twofold, adding a soft layer that encompasses the feet in extra comfort while providing added warmth for big off-road rides in low outside temperatures.
STABLE FIT, FAST ADJUSTMENTS
The Terra Artica GTX takes a two-part approach to keeping feet stable and secure over uneven off-road terrain. The upper Velcro closure wraps around the ankle to deliver a locked-in feel, while the shoe’s lower section is secured via a single L6 BOA® dial, for infinite adjustments on the fly.
ENGINEERED FOR TRICKY WINTER TERRAIN
Now more versatile than ever, we’ve redesigned our X5 outsole for better grip and more traction in slippery winter conditions. Equipped with generous studs and a rubber coating that covers the entire surface, including the mid-foot, the X5 outsole provides sure footing when steep, rough tracks require you to hike with your bike.
Build extra:
• GORE-TEX Insulated Koala membrane
• Soft fleeced lining
• High-density PU upper + Ripstop fabric
• L6 BOA® dial D Fit System
• X5 nylon outsole with rubber treads, stiffness index 5
• Weight: 432 g
• Sizes: 36-48 (37 to 47 also in half sizes)
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