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The latest winter boot from the Italians is the Extreme XCM GTX and no longer has much in common with its predecessor. The insulating, overlapping Velcro construction has had to make way for a neoprene cuff. The lower part is sporty and slim with a stiff carbon sole and a twist fastener. The result is a super-lightweight winter shoe that puts a lot of pressure on the pedals and keeps your feet dry even in the nastiest slush. But so much minimalism comes at the expense of insulation. The heavier, thicker predecessor kept you warm for longer. What's more, the twist lock kept getting stuck when we opened it.
Getting in is a real feat of strength. Because if you don't have a flat instep, you have to force your foot through the neoprene shaft with great skill. The seam of the Gore lining on the heel quickly came loose due to the difficulty of putting them on. Once you're inside, you can ride for 1.5 hours in temperatures as low as -10 degrees before you get clammy toes. Once the inside of the shoe gets wet, it takes an extremely long time to dry.
Price (RRP) 280 Euro >> e.g. available at Chainreactioncycles
Weight 1050 grammes
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