Fizik launched their brand new Fizik Ergolace GTX MTB shoe back in September with a bold claim that they would be "guaranteed" to keep your feet dry during the muddiest winter mountain biking adventures. We've yet to fully test these MTB shoes, and we've yet to find a perfect MTB shoe that keeps your feet totally dry in the deepest of muddy days. The Ergolace GTX though has a decent amount of promising tech built in that it might just deliver the 'Holy Grail' of dry feet.
Following on from the initial launch, Fizik has now collaborated with PEdALED, who also form part of the Selle Royal Group, and have launched the Ergolace GTX PEdALED x Fizik shoe. PEdALED was founded in 2007 by designer Hideto Suzuki when he left a career in high-end Japanese fashion to pursue creating beautiful, functional cycling apparel and has since expanded to include numerous collections and countless MTB product innovations.
The features and function of the new special edition shoe are much the same as the recently launched versions. They stick to their guns with the "guaranteed to keep you dry" claim that even the best mountain bike boots can struggle to live up to. Bike Perfect editor, Rich has been testing a few new models recently including the Endura Burner shoe, with a first review to come, and also the new Shimano GF800 GTX flat pedal winter boot. He was impressed with the GF800's initial performance, moisture, however, still found its way through to his feet. So can the Ergolace be the one to deliver bone dry feet despite being its low cut, open shoe design?
There is no doubt this new version is a gorgeous-looking MTB shoe, reimagined for this PEdALED collaboration in a stunning-looking Dark Red colourway. As the search for perfection continues, the Ergolace GTX PEdALED x Fizik may well be a challenger as the best mountain bike shoe. Priced at $220 / £200 / $220 you might not want to get them covered in mud and filth regardless of their claimed waterproof capabilities, but if you do, here's a few of the stand-out features that caught my eye from these and the standard editions.
Trail-ready versatility
Ergolace GTX comes in either a clip-in MTB option or a flat-pedal version, and is designed to avoid that "bulky look" of some other MTB shoes and has a slim fit. Rich weighed his size 43 flat pedal version, and they weighed in at 792g for the pair. Compared to our top-rated Five Ten Freerider Pro shoes, that came in at 690g for the same size or the Fox Union Flat at 838g, makes the Fizik Ergolace GTX mid weight for a flat MTB shoe at least.
Both versions feature an X2 outsole which enhances the versatility of the shoe. The X2 outsole is engineered to deliver what they say is a perfect balance of efficient pedaling performance and comfort off the bike, with a stiffness index rating of 2, so ready for those muddy hike-a-bike moments. Fizik also say the flat pedal version is ready to blend back into society when the riding is over, at the bike park cafe or like me at a service station on the way home, assuming they've passed the keeping your feet dry test of course.
Gore-Tex protection
The Ergolace GTX claimes weather protection comes from a new Gore-Tex Prism configuration, the shoes have a triple-layered, waterproof and breathable membrane, specifically designed to give protection from the elements and keep feet dry. The woven fabric on the uppers is also said to be hard-wearing and resist abrasion and tearing, while a PU-laminated toecap and side reinforcements add further protection and durability. Fizik also adds that comfort is increased, with the feet Ergolace GTX designed to cradle the foot, and the fit also secured with an ergonomic lace-up closure. There's no BOA fastening option on these with the Ergolace GTX shoe on all versions featuring, as the name suggests, a laced fastening system.
Pricing and availability
The Ergolace GTX PEdALED x Fizik shoe is priced at $220 / £200 / $220, and available now in either a clipped or flat sole version in the Dark Red colorway. The standard and pretty much the same Ergolace GTX MTB comes in color choices of either Anthracite / Black or Ice Grey / Black, priced at $209.99 / £199.99 / €189.99. All versions come sized from 36-48 (37 to 47 also in half sizes), and for more information check out Fizik.com.
