We didn't just know that cyclocross is a winter sport since the UCI started trying to get it included in the Winter Olympics. In contrast to racing bikes, where it can be light and airy, cyclo-cross-specific equipment has to be kept warm and dry - this applies to pants and jersey as well as shoes. Normal MTB shoes are usually less suitable for cross-country skiing if you don't want to wear them with overshoes. Regular winter shoes, on the other hand, are often too heavy and not flexible enough – keyword: running passages. In short, a real cross shoe is needed, one like Northwave's model Hammer CX liefert. An info in advance: In addition to the Tricolorstest version, the Italians also deliver a black variant - less conspicuous, but perhaps longer attractive after countless fango packs.
A synthetic cycling shoe with a raised heel and neoprene cuff, that's the Northwave Hammer CX in short. You find out more when you put it on for the first time, which turns out to be not so easy: you have to pull hard on the loop attached to the back and feel your toes to get in; not a bad idea is to use a shoehorn. Once you're in, he's sitting Hammer CX firm, but by no means tight; there is even a surprising amount of space in the toe area. At the same time, a few experimental running steps show that you don't have to worry about a firm grip on your heel in any situation.
Three Velcro straps close the shoe, which is closed by the elastic neoprene material forming the cuff where the tongue is usually located. Big advantage of this construction: Even if you tighten the straps tightly, nothing creases, no slipping tongue has to be adjusted. It's the firm, nowhere constricting seat that makes a positive impression even before the first ride. We chose the size analogous to normal street shoes, in my case a 43. If you like wearing thick socks when cross-country skiing, you should try half a size larger.
Thick socks didn't fit in with me; warm feet on the test drive, just what you expect from a winter shoe, should be the sole merit of the Northwave treadmill. The test conditions: an air temperature of five degrees, a moderate pace, hardly any running distances – conditions in which you soon get cold toes in normal MTB shoes. Not with that Hammer CX: After two and a half hours of driving, only the soles of the feet felt a bit cool, everything else was comfortably warm. On really cold days, you could try replacing the thin insole, which slightly supports the arch of the foot, with a thermal sole. The cuff, which reaches down to the ankle, is also pleasantly warm.
Northwave Germany specifically pointed out to us that the Hammer CX is water-repellent, but not waterproof. The openings at the front of the foot and on the sides, recognizable by the green background, arouse a suspicion of this. They're supposed to offer some level of ventilation, but don't they also let moisture in? In any case, a soaking wet sponge squeezed out on it had no effect whatsoever, the sock remained dry on the inside. Although the cuff visibly absorbs moisture on the outside, it does not direct it to the inside. This may look different if you stand in an ankle-deep puddle for minutes – but splashing water and wet clods of earth should be avoided on the Hammer CX bounce off In any case, its smooth surface offers the advantage that dirt cannot settle so easily, and it can also be easily wiped clean.
On the second day of testing, the Hammer CX then even more demanding: two degrees plus and wet, deep ground, so typical cross-country conditions. After a good hour and a half, the green, white and red splendor was largely gone, but the feet were still quite warm and, above all, completely dry, despite the wet goo covering the shoes. The cuff was wet on the outside, but also completely dry on the inside.
//Conclusion
Northwave's cross-country shoes are excellent for cycling - if you push the pedals forward on steep sections, your foot stays firmly in the shoe and your toes don't touch the front; and when you pull your foot up while pedaling, you never have the feeling that you could slip out the back. But what about walking or running? The synthetic sole feels pretty stiff at first, which it's supposed to be; if you trot over soft ground, however, it becomes apparent that the low flexibility is not a disadvantage. Only on very steep passages does one become a toe walkers. Then the screwed-in plastic studs come into play; the shoe also comes with conical, 15 millimeter long steel studs, which should prove themselves in firmer soil, where the normal studs cannot indent deep enough.
The Tricolore kicker leaves a positive impression all round. With a weight of around 390 grams (per shoe, size 43, without SPD cleat), it's not out of the ordinary, and at a price of 164,95 euros it's cheaper than most MTB winter shoes. In addition, it offers the advantage of being designed specifically for cross-country use. Of course, a larger spectrum of colors would be desirable - for example in the tricolors of the leading cyclocross nations.
//Product highlights
- tight fit on the foot
- keeps you warm
- very waterproof
- all-round suitable for cyclocross
//price and web
- 164,95 Euros
- www.northwave.com
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