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EB13: Northwave Debuts Lightest Mountain Bike Shoe Ever – Plus New Road, Cyclocross Kicks & Helmets

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The new Northwave MTB Extreme Tech Plus comes in as the lightest full-featured mountain bike shoe we’ve seen.

Claimed weight is just 280g, lighter than many road shoes, but doesn’t skimp on anything. It gets double SLW2 ratchets with a new micro release button to help you make fine fit adjustments while on the bike. Push click it to release a tiny bit of cable, pull it to open completely. The ratchets themselves are thinner and lighter than before.

The real weight savings is underneath…

2014-Northwave-MTB-Extreme-Tech-Plus-cycling-shoe

The full UD carbon outsole is super stiff -it’s a race shoe- and uses Vibram rubber treads.  They say it’s an industry exclusive, and it lets them provide enough grip while minimizing tread block weight.

2014-Northwave-MTB-Extreme-Tech-Plus-cycling-shoe

TPU sections protect the toe and inside forefoot. Internally, the heel area has grippy sections on the sides and their “cat tongue”-like heel cup with fibers pointing downward to resist heel lift. We’ve tested this on the Extreme Tech road shoes and it works.

€319 retail, available in team green and matte black.

2014-Northwave-Road-Extreme-Tech-Plus-cycling-shoe

The Road Extreme Tech Plus uses the same sole as the Extreme Tech we reviewed but upgrades to the new SLW2 ratchets and a revised upper fitment.

2014-Northwave-Road-Extreme-Tech-Plus-cycling-shoe

The result is a 20g weight savings to come in at a claimed 235g.

2014-Northwave-Hammer-CX-cyclocross-cycling-shoe

Hammer CX is a new cyclocross based on the Hammer mountain bike shoe but adds a neoprene sock and EVA layer under the cleats to prevent water penetration.

2014-Northwave-Hammer-CX-cyclocross-cycling-shoe

The treads are a mix of harder TPU (red) and rubber (green), and production versions will get an additional strip of rubber running up the middle behind the cleat.

The upper is like the Extreme with the mostly seamless material. A water repellant layer is under the mesh and tongue. The closure is a simple and light three-strap system that won’t get bogged down by mud. The center strap’s loop is offset to reduce pressure points. Retail should be around €169.

2014-Northwave-bicycle-helmets-collection

Helmets are a new venture for Northwave, and their first effort looks good. They wanted to be able to dress a cyclist from head to toe, and this was the last piece of the puzzle. Admittedly, there’s not a lot of brand new tech introduced with these – think of it as a good looking, certified-to-be-safe starting point from which they can grow.

2014-Northwave-Speedster-and-Storm-cycling-helmet

The Speedster is the top road model, with a weight of 250g. It uses in-mold construction with large front vents. The Storm is the MTB equivalent ad adds a visor.

2014-Northwave-Aircrosser-and-Scout-cycling-helmet

Aircrosser is a mid-level model, and Scout is the MTB equivalent. For 2014, they’ll be limited to the European market.

Not shown, the Zeus and Steel are new sunglasses with three different lenses (clear, orange, and dark) and you can get an optical adapter for prescription lenses. Frames are flexible but tough Grilamid.

Northwave.com

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RUSTYDOGG
RUSTYDOGG
10 years ago

Man those shoes are hideous. Why dont’t mfgs put these “TPU sections” on the outer side part of the shoe that gets scuffed and eventually torn by rubbing on rocks. Obvious answer is to sell more shoes I know, but it sure would be nice. Look at anyones SIDIs for example they ALL are scraped on the outboard side by the small toe. I’d be happy to throw down for a pair of Drakos but I know I would cry when I rubbed the first rock.

Robo
Robo
10 years ago

Can’t speak for how good they are as shoes, but Bontrager has shoes with the armoring on the outside.

patrik
patrik
10 years ago

I don’t know if I’d want my MTB shoe to be the lightest. It’s the equivalent of advertising “the beer with the lowest alcohol content in the world!”

My MTB shoes get abused. Mine are heavy and overbuilt, yet still need to be replaced every season.

These must be for [deleted] XC racers who haven’t seen a rock garden since they used the shoe testing rock incline at REI.

greg
greg
10 years ago

vibram is not exclusive to northwave. specialized tahoe sport has it, so does one shimano model. maybe they meant exclusive to a racing mtb shoe as opposed to an xterra type one…

Bayard
Bayard
10 years ago

I like the wimens head sticking out if a shoe. Sure beats a stinky sock

Axl
Axl
10 years ago

Any1 can confirm weight of these new shoes?

Axl
Axl
10 years ago

Anyone can confirm ~280g weight of extreme mtb shoes in size 42?

frank w
frank w
10 years ago

I have a pair of the Extreme Tech shoes and while I don’t train in them everyday, I have been really happy with how well they have held up. And yes, I ride in rocks.

nsmith
9 years ago

what is the weight per pair size 39?

nsmith
9 years ago

where do you buy them

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