Ahead of Eurobike, Italian shoe maker Northwave has announced its latest crop of road and mountain bike shoes as well as a new wet-weather jersey.
- Five of the most desirable road bike shoes of 2016
- How to rejuvenate your waterproof cycling gear
- Best road cycling shoes
Extreme RR
Northwave Extreme RR 2017
The Extreme RR will sit atop Northwave’s range of road shoes, and gets a new uni-directional carbon sole that's rated 15 on the brand's stiffness scale.
Claimed to be stiffer than its predecessor, the Extreme, the new kicks are also compatible with Northwave's Speedplay adaptor which allows for reduced stack height over a standard cleat.
Using a single Northwave SLW2 (Speed Lace Winch) dial, the Extreme RR employs what the Italian cobbler calls the XFrame.
This patented technology uses special tapes and carefully placed cable loops to create a frame around the entire foot for a snug and even fit. Northwave says the XFrame and offset SWL2 dial allows for the upper to be pulled evenly across the top of the foot and should eliminate pressure points.
The new Extreme RRs are claimed to weigh 220g, and set to cost €369.99. They will be available in black-yellow fluoro and yellow fluoro-black colours.
Northwave Outcross
Working in collaboration with tyre brand Michelin, Northwave has three new trail oriented mountain bike shoes available: the Outcross, Outcross Plus and Outcross Knit. All three versions feature a Michelin Explorer outsole that sees a stiff nylon midsole platform for pedalling efficiency, and a flex zone at the front for comfortable hiking. The sole itself is made with Michelin's OC compound, which is claimed to provide great purchase no matter the terrain.
Both the Outcross and Outcross Plus feature an abrasion resistant 3D mesh upper and strategically placed impact-absorbing material around the toe to thwart rock strikes. The standard Outcross gets three velcro straps for a customisable fit, while the Plus version sees a SLW2 ratchet closure. Both are claimed to weigh 440g and the Outcross is set to cost €100 and the Plus is priced at €130.
Northwave also says the Outcross Plus will be available in a women's specific version.
Outcross Knit
With a knitted upper (think Nike's Flyknit running shoes), Northwave says the Outcross Knit is the first shoe of its kind in the bike industry.
Opting for laces rather than SWL2 or velcro closures, the knitted material should offer plenty of stretch for all-day comfort, and we'd guess it breaths pretty well too.
Although the Outcross Knit has transparent thermoweld reinforcement around the bottom of the shoe, we're not totally sold on the longevity of a knitted shoe for mountain biking.
Claimed to weigh 435g, the Outcross Knit is set to cost €90.
Rainskin Shield
Better known for their shoes, Northwave also makes a full range of kit and the newest addition to the range is the Rainskin Shield wet-weather aero jersey.
Northwave says the rain jersey is made from a four-way stretch fabric and gets a 10,000mm waterproof rating. Inside it is lined with P4dry's S.Cafe technology, which uses repurposed coffee granules for a printed fabric layer that is said to help with wicking, odor control, and reduce moisture condensation by 30 percent.
With the jersey being made from stretch fabric, Northwave also says it will conform to a range of body shapes without wrinkling and offer an aero advantage.
Northwave is offering the Rainskin shield in two versions, one with fully taped seams and one without. It is set to cost €129.99 and €99.99 respectively.