Fizik X5 Terra, Men's Cycling Shoe

Product Information

Sidi’s Jarin is a cross-country mountain bike shoe, but this olive green version is aimed at the gravel market. Immediate Media The upper uses a seamless synthetic material that is lightweight. It isn’t particularly soft at first, which led to some initial discomfort in testing, but over time it did break in. The first thing you’ll learn if you test a lot of shoes is that simply flexing them between your hands is no indicator of how comfortable the shoe will be to walk in. The second is that fit is more important than how stiff the sole is.

Day two, we took to Glen Feshie with lots of stream and river crossings, bog and more hike-a-bike but it’s a very pretty place to spend time in. Bridging the link between rider and bike, the Fizik X5 Terra MTB Shoes provide a durable construction suited to all-terrain rides. With protective materials and an adaptive fit, these shoes prove to be an excellent choice for the trail rider wanting a lightweight upgrade. Underneath, there is a stiff carbon sole, which we found avoided hotspots and was still forgiving on long rides. There are three main sections of rubber to provide a reasonable level of grip.Outsoles made from rubber or TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) add grip and durability, with gravel shoes tending to have a more open lug pattern than the outsoles of off-road shoes. In theory, this provides enough grip while still enabling them to shed mud faster. Gravel-shoe uppers have to help deliver power transfer like road shoe uppers, but also have to have enough stretch for walking. They also have to be particularly durable and resistant to any scuffs from clambering over rough terrain. Synthetic uppers are common across the price spectrum. Often, synthetic uppers rely on perforation and mesh inserts for breathability. They don’t mould to the shape of your foot in the same way that leather does, but they don’t cost as much either, and fastening paired with other factors such as insole choice can practically circumvent this issue.

Compatible with two-bolt cleats, these shoes present excellent versatility, leaving you with a wide array of pedal options. Yes it is good to be waterproof, even if it is just for slogging through puddles and mud without sending freezing water straight in the cleat holes every time our feet touch the ground. But the water will find its way in eventually, running down your legs and generally filling the shoe up if it is a long, wet ride. Short of wearing waterproof trousers that seal around the ankle it is always going to happen. And to keep riders in control and prepared over ever-changing and always unexpected terrain, the fizik Terra series handlebar tape and off-road accessories for all-terrain riding provide just the right amount readiness, no matter the weather or what lies ahead. Old-school laces have their fans, though. If you have a high instep, you probably find that they allow for the differentiation in tension that gives a snug forefoot fit combined with ease over the instep that you need for best comfort. The Fizik Terra Artica X5 GTX are, as the name suggests, a winter-ready set of bike shoes. Featuring a Gore-Tex liner for waterproofing, plus insulation, the aim is to stop water getting in and heat getting out while you ride. And based on our test in seriously cold, wet weather (at least for the UK), they really impressed, putting them up there with the best winter mountain bike boots on the market.Giro’s Sector is an undemanding shoe to wear, and its comfort from the off allows you to get on with the job of bother-free riding. David Caudery / Immediate Media This olive green version of Sidi’s premium Jarin is aimed at the gravel market. At 760g for a pair of size 45s, it sheds over 100g from the weight of Sidi’s previous range-topping off-road shoes, but has the same replaceable grips protecting the carbon sole. Sidi’s microfibre uppers are tough with decent weather protection, and there’s still good ventilation from the laser-cut pinhole vents. The line between gravel shoes and cross-country mountain bike shoes is often thin. David Caudery / Immediate Media A common combination is a strap over the toe section that allows it to be tightened independently, with a Boa dial or similar over the mid-foot. It’s a construction that generally works well, as long as there’s enough adjustment in the toe strap.

So just like the best gravel bikes, the best gravel bike shoes often feel subtly different to kit designed specifically for other riding disciplines. When winter temperatures plummet in Britain, they rarely do so alone. Rain, slush and snow all contribute to our chilly extremities, multiplying the effect of low temperatures and speeding up the process of heat loss. It is a never ending quest to find shoes that will keep the old toes warm in these circumstances but the answer isn’t a straightforward one, unfortunately. The Specialized S-Works Recon Lace is closely related to the S-Works Recon shoe, but trades Boa dials for laces. This won’t suit everyone, but the laces do give the shoes a classy look and provide more points of tension control. Overall, this shoe is top-end. It does come with a price to match, but we’d happily choose the S-Works Recon Lace for our longest, most epic rides. When it comes to walking, the rubber outsole provides a solid platform, but the smaller lugs don’t do so well in the mud.The Giro Sector comes from the world of mountain biking, but does a great job as a gravel shoe thanks to its all-day comfort, power transfer and lightweight upper. The downside of laces is that they have a habit of working loose over the course of a ride, especially if walking is involved, which is likely on more technical gravel rides. Volume is generous for comfort, though the roomy fit won’t suit everyone, while the stiff heel cup aids stability.