Let's take a quick look at the manufacturer's specifications: The Gore-Tex Koala membrane should not only keep the biker warm and protect them from the wet, it should also be breathable so that the feet don't sweat too much. In addition to the Gore-Tex membrane, the integrated fleece is also responsible for protection against the cold. The upper is made from a multi-layer ripstop fabric and is designed to be hard-wearing and abrasion-resistant. Additional durability and protection for the toes is provided by the generous, thermolaminated plastic coating (PU) on the side, heel and toe areas.
Quick test check Fizik Terra Nanuq GTX
- Price: 279,00 Euro
- Weight: 576 g (self-weighed, dirty, size 43)
- good fit: fits snugly but without pinching the foot
- difficult entry and exit: Very short zip
- insulated top: no cold feet after 2 hours in sleet and mud
- Walking not idealsole is stiff, slight heel slip when walking uphill
- Sizes: 36-48 (37 to 47 also in half sizes)
First contact
The Nanuq looks pretty spacey. The perfectly smooth taped seams, the Boa lacing and the short zip are a hint: No water should get in here! Apparently, however, no foot should get in either. Because putting them on for the first time proved difficult. The opening is barely widened with the 5 centimetre long zip. Squeezing your foot in and then pushing the Boa fastener open with your toes is the opposite of "sliding in". I wonder how long the zip can withstand this kind of squeezing before damage occurs? Once you're in, the shoe sits almost perfectly on your foot. Close the Boa pull, pull up the zip and the foot is gently but tightly enclosed. When walking and hopping on the spot, we notice the rather hard sole - actually it shouldn't be so extremely hard, but it feels like a board. This results in slight slippage at the heel - you don't want to walk uphill for hours on end. Let's see if they become even softer in practice?
Dirt contact
Two things are immediately noticeable in off-road use: The shoe is very warm and it transfers power very directly to the pedals! The NanuQ is extremely stiff and direct. My comparison is an older Shimano winter shoe, which is much softer in comparison. The Nanuq is also a whole class better in terms of thermoregulation. On test rides in winter, especially when the ground is not completely frozen, but muddy, test rider Christian Schleker's feet slowly become cold and then numb after an hour at the latest. Two hours of winter mud and walking to the shower afterwards is like walking on numb blocks of ice - at least so far. With the Fizik, the last 5 tours in dirty weather were still tours in dirty weather, but the feet! Dry! Warm! Cosy! It doesn't get any better than that. Or is it?
Weak point heel slip
As good as the shoe sits on the foot and transfers power directly to the pedals, it is not perfect when walking uphill on steep terrain. The tread is very grippy, even in icy mud slipping was not a problem. But you still don't feel perfectly shod because the heels slip up slightly with every step. Tightening the Boa fastener mega-tight didn't bring any improvement. So if you are looking for a shoe for bike mountaineering, often have to push long and hard on steep terrain, or like to climb the last few metres to the summit cross on foot, you should test the Fizik extensively in the shop. Of course, feet are different and not everyone's feet will slip as much as ours did.
Conclusion on the Fizik Terra Nanuq GTX:
A winter shoe must first and foremost keep the winter out and ensure that feet don't freeze into lumps of ice even on longer tours in snow and sub-zero temperatures. And the Fizik Nanuq GTX does this perfectly! Even after two hours in wet, slushy and icy conditions, our tester's feet were dry, warm and cosy. It could hardly be better! However, getting into the boot is a little difficult because the shaft is cut very narrow and is barely widened by the short zip. However, it also sits very close to the ankle and does not allow moisture or dirt to penetrate, even if the trousers slip up and expose the shaft. The heel slip was a slight damper on the euphoria of having found the perfect winter shoe. However, this may also be due to the shape of the tester's foot and does not necessarily apply to everyone. Therefore, be sure to try them out in the shop!
