The Northwave Rockit Plus GTX proves to be an excellent cross-country and all-mountain trail shoe with a great balance of stiffness, tough construction, and plenty of grip on/off the bike. The SLW3 ratchet closure system is a nice touch, and the Gore-Tex lining is great for fending off the wet however the low-cut design means trail splashes soon find their way in. Although it was no winter shoe, I found it to be a useful option when the trails were wet but puddle-free.
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Northwave Rockit Plus GTX shoes – Technical Details
The Rockit Plus GTX shoe is aimed at all mountain and trail riding sitting in Northwave’s line up as more of an all rounder compared to their all-out winter boot, the Kingrock Plus GTX.
This shoe is a more winter friendly version of the standard Rockit Plus model which incorporates a Gore-Tex lining. The Prism S 3-layer membrane is said to aid insulation and keep the elements out ideal for a cold and wet wintery ride.
The outer is made of polyurethane and ripstop material which is intended to be tough and fend off trail strikes. The toe box is protected with a rubber like TPU which has the same tough intentions adding to the durability of the shoe.
The Plus models receive the SLW3 closure system which uses a thin cord and dial to adjust the shoe’s fastening tension. Turning the dial tightens the cord as you’d expect however the lever on top of the dial can be used to micro-adjust the tension for the perfect fit or entirely release the tension.
The Wolftrax Vibram sole has been designed with on and off-bike traction in mind. There is a generous clip-in area to help with finding the cleat whilst the rear of the treat features large, widely spaced blocks for walking grip.
Whilst there is no mention about sole stiffness, with the all-mountain and trail intentions I expect the sole to be stiff enough to support clipped-in riding but have enough flex to be comfortable walking – this’ll come out in the testing.
The Rockit Plus GTX shoe is available in sizes ranging from EU37-48 (UK approx. 6.5 to 13) and the single black colourway.
Northwave Rockit Plus GTX shoes – Performance
In terms of sizing the shoes came up exactly as expected with my go-to size fitting great. They’re perhaps a little narrow which wasn’t an issue with thin summer socks on but could be more of a squeeze with some winter socks.
The SLW3 closure system relies on a dial to set the tension which works great. I found the wire needs a little help to evenly tension, similar to tightening laces however once set it remains tight and pushing the lever allows smaller adjustments to tension which is a nice feature. One slight annoyance was the tongue of the shoe which would always sit to one side rather than remaining central, by no means a deal breaker but a little frustrating nonetheless.
Releasing the tension on the SLW3 system is a little fiddly having to hold a lever back whilst pulling the wire lace through however the ability to slacken off the wire laces makes getting in and out of these shoes a breeze.
The heel and collar padding are suitable to cup the back of the foot comfortably and provide a secure fit whilst walking. The sole is quite stiff which is great for power transfer and providing a stable pedal platform yet remains flexible enough to be comfortable for off-bike situations. Speaking of off-the-bike, the sole tread is quite chunky which gives plenty of grip in the mud – notably better than the various uniform block patterns seen on many other shoes.
That same sole tread leaves plenty of room to clip in with a very generous slot to help you find the cleat. The cleat positioning is great giving plenty of room to set the cleat as far back as needed – this is helpful on longer descents taking some of the load off your calf muscles.
Moving onto the waterproof abilities, the Gore-Tex lining manages to keep the wet out without any issues and whilst the breathability isn’t as good as a full-on summer shoe these still manage to deal with the heat admirably.
Any full-on winter riding boot has a tall ankle cuff to keep water from entering the top of the shoe, the low cut design of the Rockit Plus GTX doesn’t stop mud and water from getting in. These shoes will keep your feet dry walking through puddles, low grass, and mud but for sloppy winter riding look elsewhere at a higher waterproof boot such as the Kingrock Plus GTX. One bonus of the Gore-Tex lining is the post-ride wash, a quick rinse would usually require putting the shoes on the radiator to dry out however with these they can resist a quick hose down.
Durability is not a concern with these shoes, the ripstop fabric has proved to be super tough fending off plenty of trail strikes and some prickly brambles whilst the super tough toe box protection has saved my toes a couple of times from wayward rocks.
Northwave Rockit Plus GTX shoes – Verdict
With a retail price of £180, the Rockit Plus GTX is reasonably priced with the ratchet lace system and Gore-Tex lining on offer but of course, there are other options worth considering.
Arguably one of the best clipless shoes that use a similar dial retention system is the Crankbrothers Mallet Trail Boa shoes. These scored highly for being super comfortable and clip friendly however at £220 they are not cheap!
If you’re looking for a Gore-Tex lined shoe with some more winter protection, the Shimano GF8 GTX shoe should be a consideration. At £180, they’re the same price as the Northwaves and were praised for excellent comfort and pedal grip.
The Northwave Rockit Plus GTX shoe is an excellent all-mountain or XC shoe for the shoulder seasons where the ground is likely to be wet. The Gore-Tex lining does a good job of keeping the wet at bay however the low-cut design doesn’t stop splashes from getting in. The stiff sole is walking-friendly and the generous cleat channel is appreciated. A solid shoe with lots of great features but perhaps a niche use case with its low-cut design.
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