We’re back at that time of year again where the weather is cold and the trails are decidedly wet for the foreseeable future. That means for many of us it’s time to change out our wardrobes, putting away the short sleeves and bringing out the insulated jerseys and jackets. And for those of us lucky enough to have winter-specific footwear too, it’s time to make the switch.
Winter-specific mountain bike footwear is something of a novel concept still. I remember the days when we had bike shoes, and you wore thicker socks to stay warm, and maybe threw plastic bags over them to stay dry. Now the big players have a solid winter shoe and I’m not upset about that. Are they all created equally though?
Enter the Fi’zi:k Terra Ergolace GTX.
The name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but it does mean something. This is essentially their lace-up, all-around mountain shoe with a waterproof GORE-TEX membrane. Now that’s out of the way, I’ll start by saying that this is not a winter shoe. I know I gave all that spiel about winter, but it’s true, Fi’zi:k has a bunch of other dedicated winter shoes.
So what is this one, and why make a waterproof shoe that’s not for winter riding? Fi’zi:k says that the Ergolace GTX is their all-rounder, go-anywhere shoe where comfort and versatility are key.
Fi’zi:k Terra Ergolace GTX shoe key specs
- SPD compatible (flat pedal version available)
- Lace-up closure
- GORE-TEX breathable waterproof membrane
- Vibram tread
- Sizes 36-48
- Anthracite/Black or Ice Grey/Black
- Price: $209.99
I tested a size 45, which is my regular size, and it fits well. The toe box is snug without being overly tight, though those that need a roomier toe box may want to look elsewhere. The heel of the shoe cups well and the lace-up closure, though not my favorite, does cinch up well to make for a nice, snug-fitting shoe.
I did feel some discomfort in the top of my foot from the fold at the edge of the tongue however, particularly when cinched up tight. However it fades into the background somewhat when riding. It took a good few rides for this to settle in a little, though they’re still not the most comfortable shoe around.
Construction-wise, they’re well manufactured, with no loose stitches or welds – they feel like a quality item with good durability. The toe box is also nicely armored and feels solid. The scuffs I picked up suggest that it does the job of toe protection pretty well. Since it’s a low-top shoe there’s no real ankle protection, making it a little less ideal if you want to get really rowdy.
The color on test is the Ice Grey/Black, and while they’re nice looking, I do question the choice of white fabrics on an off-road shoe designed for poor weather. The Ergolace GTX shoes didn’t stay clean looking for long.
The cleat channel on these shoes is not super long, and while I was able to find a comfortable cleat position pretty easily, I do tend to run mine pretty far forward. Those who prefer a further-back position may struggle a little more. The Fi’zi:k Ergolace GTX shoes lend themselves to more pedal-oriented riding styles than gravity. The channel itself is plenty wide and didn’t necessitate any trimming to get good pedal engagement. Finding my pedals was easy enough, though I wouldn’t say the shoe ‘guides’ the cleat into the pedal as some do.
On the trail
Fi’zi:k says the Terra Ergolace GTX has a stiffness index of three out of ten, which is the least stiff of their offerings. However, compared to some other brands’ gravity offerings it certainly feels stiffer. The snug fit, combined with relatively light weight and a stiff-ish sole results in the feeling of pretty solid power transfer for a shoe that doesn’t exactly have racing intentions. These shoes don’t feature a whole lot of padding so they’re not as plush feeling as many skate-inspired shoes, but that also means they lack the vagueness that tends to come with the territory.
As I said before, this is not a winter shoe. It’s not insulated nor does it have a high neoprene cuff as most dedicated winter shoes do. The Ergolace GTXs are indeed thoroughly waterproof however, so long as water doesn’t enter through the top. Winter tends to hit pretty hard and fast here in Canada, and while the riding is still good, we have either dusty summer days or wet miserable days with little in between, so the window of use for me here would be strictly limited to shoulder seasons, with something warmer needed for proper winter. However I can see in warmer/more tropical parts of the world how these would make sense for more of the winter season.
In reality, the Ergolace GTX is splash-proof, and works well on mildly drizzly days. Start splashing through some decent puddles however and no matter how waterproof your pants are, water is going to get in. One of the main problems with fully waterproof shoes is that once that H2O is in, it’s not getting out again, and that’s the case here as well. Thankfully, these shoes do breathe pretty damn well, where a fully insulated winter shoe can feel too warm on some warmer fall/spring days. I’m confident I could wear these most of the year ’round without discomfort.
What are they good for?
Having spent some time wearing the Terra Ergolace GTX shoes on a few different bikes, I feel pretty happy using them for enduro, trail, cross-country and even gravel riding. While they might not be my first choice for bike park riding since they don’t have ankle protection, or for my gravel bike in the summer since they’re not that stiff, they’re surprisingly well-rounded and comfortable. The sole provided plenty of grip for hike-a-biking on photoshoots, and despite their slightly ‘golf shoe’ appearance, they really don’t look offensive off the bike, nor are they uncomfortable to walk in.
These don’t make a ton of sense to buy as a proper waterproof option, or as a winter shoe since they’re not particularly warm. However if I were to have just one shoe to cover a number of occasions where there’s a chance I might get my feet wet, I may find myself hiking, or simply to cover a number of different bike options, these would be a decent choice. For the bikepacker heading into the unknown for days at a time, you could feel confident knowing these shoes have your back in any scenario.
I found myself happy to grab the Ergolace GTX for pretty much any riding occasion, short of those that were unfeasibly wet, where the clear winner would be the old faithful Shimano MW7. Think of these instead as a performance jack of all trades with a bonus GORE-TEX layer, rather than a dedicated foul-weather shoe and you won’t be disappointed.
Pros and cons of the Fi’zi:k Terra Ergolace GTX mountain bike shoes
Pros
- Properly waterproof from the ankle down
- Snug fit and stiff-ish sole means good power transfer
- Ticks most of the boxes for shoulder-season riding
Cons
- Low-top means water gets in easily
- Tongue can be uncomfortable
- Would prefer Boa dials to laces
Bottom line
For those who find themselves riding somewhat soggy trails on a frequent year-round basis, or have a lot of water crossings on their rides and temperature isn’t the main issue, these might be the ticket.
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