The Fizik Terra Nanuq GTX is a mountain bike shoe aimed at deep winter riding, the colder and wetter the better. With a waterproof Gore-Tex liner and insulated upper, these shoes make winter riding a little more bearable. Combined with Boa retention, a grippy Vibram sole and plenty of cleat adjustment, Fizik offers a well-thought-out shoe for winter bog bashing and sub-zero conditions.
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Fizik Terra NANUQ X2 GTX waterproof shoes - Technical Details
Let's start from the bottom up, the Vibram sole is a chunky affair with a hiking boot feel to it. The “Megagrip” compound is noticeably tacky to the touch providing great grip on and off the bike. The cleat box is a standard affair accepting any two-bolt cleat (such as the most common SPD and Crankbrothers) and features plenty of adjustment fore and aft. Furthermore, the tread has a large channel to make clipping in as easy as possible.
The sole comprises a nylon shank and an EVA midsole. It features Fizik’s X2 sole which has a stiffness index of 3 – for those who haven’t heard of stiffness index, 3 is low on the scale and is aimed at being friendly for walking. A full-on road shoe would have a stiffness index of 12.
For the upper, a Gore-Tex Koala membrane is paired with an inner fleece lining to keep the toes warm. The toe-cap and sides are reinforced with a robust PU covering whilst the rest of the upper is made of a hardwearing ripstop fabric which resists tearing. The upper is finished off with a neoprene ankle cuff which extends up the ankle with a pull-loop.
Retention is taken care of by a single Boa dial which evenly distributes tension across the shoe and can be handled with thick gloves on. The neoprene ankle cuff also has a short zip to aid entry/exit.
Available in sizes EU 36 - 48 including half EU sizes which equates to UK 3.5 - 12.5. Only comes in one style, grey upper with black lower as tested.
Fizik Terra NANUQ X2 GTX waterproof shoes - Performance
My first impression of these shoes is they’re akin to hiking boots, the tread is aggressive, the sole is stiff and they do feel a little bulky. They do feel heavier than a usual summer shoe but they are by no means hefty. There is plenty of adjustment on the cleat position, so much so that I didn’t have to run them all the impressive back and the generous channel in the sole makes pedal entry simple.
Comfort is excellent with these shoes, the soft fleece-lined inner is like putting on a fresh pair of cosy socks and the sizing is spot on. My usual EU45 fitted as expected with room for thicker socks if needed. I wouldn’t say I have wide feet but I had no issues with the shape of the shoe and there is some give in the upper to help mould to your shape. The Boa system along with the ankle cuff zip makes getting in and out of the shoes easy enough even with cold fingers although I did find the thin Boa wires can create a pressure point on top of your foot.
The waterproofness of these shoes is top of the list of requirements and they do not disappoint. The Gore-Tex membrane does a great job of keeping things dry however you do need waterproof trousers that extend below the ankle cuff to ensure dry feet. That ankle cuff is comfortable but a little slack when your heels are dropped riding which can result in a gap between the cuff and the back of your ankle/leg.
I’ve been impressed with the overall quality of these shoes, they are finished to a high standard and feel like a well-constructed item. During testing, they’ve taken some sizeable knocks from rocks and still look fresh after a clean up, there are no concerns about the durability of these shoes.
Fizik Terra NANUQ X2 GTX waterproof shoes - Verdict
At £290, these shoes cost a serious amount of dosh and I’d struggle to justify the cost for most people. What I would say, is if you do a lot of cold winter riding and want to stay dry these shoes are a top-end high-performing option. Another option that keeps your feet warm and dry, Northwave X-Celsius Artic GTX also uses the Gore-Tex Koala membrane and Boa retention while coming in slightly cheaper at £243. Shimano has always been at the top of the waterproof shoe game and the MW7 is worth looking at as well. Gore-Tex and BOA with an RRP of £220 mean they’re a strong offering.
The Fizik Terra NANUQ X2 GTX waterproof shoes are a top-end high high-performing pair of mountain bike clipless waterproof shoes. They come with a high price tag but the waterproof qualities, comfortable fit and high-quality construction do go a long way to justifying the investment. If you’re looking to keep your feet warm and dry this winter and aren’t afraid of spending top money to do these are a great option.