Review: Fizik Nanuq GTX Clipless and Flat Shoes

Mar 7, 2024
by Matt Beer  
Fizik Nanuq GTX

FIzik's Terra model line of mountain bike shoes serve specific functions for extreme conditions and aren't just part of gorp-core fashion. The Nanuq GTX shoes are the best option in the Terra series when it comes to blocking out wet and cold elements. The Nanuq is based on the Artica X2 but will replace that model as the waterproofing material has been updated to a Gore-Tex membrane. There's more at play than just a new name though.

Fizik has also added a Nanuq GTX flat pedal version which is identical in construction, excluding the sole. The Nanuq GTX Flat uses a Vibram XS Trek rubber sole underneath and both models feature a zippered cuff and BOA dial closure, to avoid dealing with muddy laces.
Fizik Nanuq GTX Details

• X2 outsole w/ Ripstop fabric
• Fleece-lined insulation
• Gore-Tex Koala membrane
• Boa Fit System L6 dial & zippered ankle cuff
• Vibram XS Trek tread
• Stiffness index 3
• Sizes: 36-48 w/ half sizes 37-47
• Colors: black/grey
• Weight: 456g - flat, (size 42)
• MSRP: £289.99 GBR / $299.99 USD / €279 EUR
fizik.com

Both versions of the Nanuq retail for £289.99 GBR / $299.99 USD / €279 EUR and come in sizes 36-48. Half size increments are available between size 37-47 too.

Fizik Nanuq GTX
Vibram Trek XS soles are somewhere in the middle of the road for grip when hiking and clinging to pedal pins. The sole is one of stiffest I've tried in a long time for a flat pedal shoe.
Fizik Nanuq GTX
Fizik Nanuq GTX

Gore-Tex outside + fleece inside = dry and warm feet.




Fizik Nanuq GTX
Sliding on the Nanuqs no longer requires breaking a sweat thanks to the finger loop and a roomier cuff.

Fit

The Nanuq looks identical to the Artica X2 but there are more than just a few material changes at play. One of the major complaints with Artica X2 shoes was the difficulty of pulling them on. Fizik has added a finger loop at the top of the cuff to make this easier. In addition, the cuff doesn’t have the exact same tight grasp that the Artica X2 did, making these boots a breeze to pull on - no more shoehorns needed.

Inside, the shape and feel of the lower boot also appears to have a touch more volume. The width is generous as well for a size 42 and the length is true to fit, compared to most other similar size shoes.

The fleece interior is cozy, however, there is an abrupt change in comfort and flex at the transition from the upper cuff to the lower shoe body, especially when flexing the foot. A stiff, thin lower material, notably around the rim of the heel cup can be felt due to its prominent edge.




Fizik Nanuq GTX
Fizik Nanuq GTX
The top lace of the Boa can still produce a bit of unwanted pressure when you really crank them down.
Fizik Nanuq GTX
Plenty of room to move the cleats behind the ball of the foot. The sole on the clipless version is firmer than the flats, but only slightly. "X2 Stiffness 3"

A Note Performance - Nanuq GTX Clipless

With such a similar appearance to the Artica, I knew what I was getting into with the Nanuq before even trying them on, but I hoped that the change in material improved the breathability slightly, and the longevity, but more on that later.

When it comes to the most important job for wet weather footwear, the Nanuq is one of the best at keeping your feet warm and dry. Fizik has definitely taken a robust and expensive route to get there, but they would be my number one choice for longer rides in absolute downpours.

When the temperature really drops, especially with the clip version, you’ll want thick wool socks, as the cleat bed area acts as a heat sink, but that's not isolated to the Nanuq clip.




Fizik Nanuq GTX
Fizik Nanuq GTX

The stitched seam around the inside of the toe box was a long-term concern for a past model, but this one is holding strong.

Durability

One of the major issues that I had with the Artica X2s was the seam on the inside of the toe box, which let go after a few months of hard riding in torturous conditions. I wasn’t alone in this dilemma, and other riders encountered the same issue. For the price, I expected the Artica X2s to hold up longer. Thankfully, Fizik has a solid warranty program and took care of those customers.

In the case of the Nanuq, our bizarrely dry winter hasn’t called for their action quite as heavily as in previous winters, but they have still seen their fair share of abuse. That seam is still holding strong and not showing any signs of letting go. This could be down to the new construction methods and the ripstop material holding strong.

It’s worth adding that if you are a rider who tends to polish their cranks with their feet, these may not be the shoe of choice for you, as you will likely encounter some rubbing in the heel area from the zipper, or even the inside face of the shoe.

Underneath, the Vibram rubber still looks brand new even when paired up with the tallest pedal pins on the Nanuq GTX Flat version.




Fizik Nanuq GTX
Fizik Nanuq GTX Flat - $299.99 USD
Endura MT500 Burner Flat Shoes
Endura MT500 Burner Flat - $189.99 USD


Comparison - Nanuq GTX Flats

On the flat pedal version, they are more similar to the Endura MT500 Burner in their stiff shell design versus the more flexible and sticky soled options from Shimano and 510. The latter would be the better option if you are gearing towards all out flat pedal performance versus lasting all day in abysmal weather.

The Vibram XS Trek rubber soul provides decent traction, but is no match against the Shimano GF800GTX or the Five Ten Trailcross GTX grip. It’s not just the rubber that makes up for a difference in grip overall though. The Nanuq has a stiffer soul and even the shape is concave in the lateral direction which gives a vague, disconnected feel before totally weighting your foot.

Jumping back to cross-compare, both the Burners and the Nanuqs are exceptionally impervious to water. When your pants are no longer waterproof and the shoes eventually soak through, the scuba gear-like material of the Burners insulates your feet substantially better.

Price-wise, they're one of the most expensive waterproof shoes on the market. The Nanuq is at least $80 USD more than any of the other three shoes mentioned here.

What would the ideal flat pedal waterproof shoe look like then? There are elements in all four of these mentioned shoes that could be combined to make an exceptional set of sh!t kickers. The Five Ten Trailcross GTX is an extremely close example of this, however they don’t have the same impervious qualities of the Nanuq, a Boa dial like the GF800GTX or the robust shell of the Burners.



Fizik Nanuq GTX
The earth isn't flat, but pedals are. The curvature of the rubber never broke in, adding to the clunky operation of the Nanuqs.


Pros

+ One of the best shoes (clip version included) for keeping your feet warm and dry.
+ Durability has been increased.
+ Excellent coverage (and now easier to pull on).

Cons

- The sole could be more flexible for increased control.
- The singlular Boa dial closure can cause a minor pinch point on the medial ligament.
- High cost





Pinkbike's Take

bigquotesFizik have taken what they've learned from their previous resilient wet-weather shoes and applied it to the Nanuq GTX Flats. There aren't many other shoes I'm confident will stay dry and block out chills like the Nanuq GTXs - these are a true winter mountain biking shoe.

The durability has increased and adding a finger loop to the heel makes them much easier to pull on. With all of those functional materials and features though, they don't have the level of dexterity or connectivity that some flat pedal riders will want.
Matt Beer


Author Info:
mattbeer avatar

Member since Mar 16, 2001
360 articles

34 Comments
  • 27 3
 I will never understand why companies keep putting the BOA on the side of the shoe. That is the absolute worst place to put it. The BOA gets hit and eventually breaks. It needs to be on the top/middle on the tongue of the shoe so its out of the way of getting hit. There are only a few companies putting the BOA in the right location.
  • 20 30
flag plustiresaintdead (Mar 7, 2024 at 8:39) (Below Threshold)
 Except no one actually hits their shoe like that and breaks the Boa. Covered under warranty anyway for one of those freak accidents.
  • 3 0
 @plustiresaintdead: I have, and it took minor surgery to get out of the shoe with the dial gone but the cable still tightened.
  • 12 0
 @plustiresaintdead: I know multiple folks who have done exactly that. Seems to be fairly common in my area.
  • 3 1
 @plustiresaintdead: I have. I did it TWICE in a month. It broke and I had to ride with a loose shoe 10 miles in the mountains back to the car. I ride a lot in the mountains, probably more than most. I have run BOA shoes ever since they came out. I go through a pair of shoes once a year. The only shoes I buy now are the old Pearl Izumi Launch II, when I can find em, and the Giro Gauge BOA. Our trails are groomed and 5 feet wide. We have narrow, rocky, brushy, gnarly trails. You hit your toes and side of your foot often on rocks, sticks, and thick brush.
  • 5 2
 But if you put it in the middle, you may lose the ability to get it really tight for those with narrow feet. Or at least that was my experience when Pearl warrantied my X-Alps that were velcro and maybe side boa to the one with 2 boas on the tongue. Had to sell them after that. And I really don't know if there is much a difference between putting a boa on the side and having a ratchet at the same spot. You crash and smack that on a rock, neither will survive. So if you don't like Boa for being boa, just say that. I'm meh about it, but I know some shoes they do create bigger pressure points than other methods.
  • 2 0
 @lwkwafi: You don't lose the ability to tighten the BOA on the tongue IMO. I works awesome and is way more protected. I can take the shoes off and on so much faster. I can reach down and tighten them after my feet get wet and the shoe gets loose. If I have a deep water crossing I can take them off and cross the water and put them back on faster. I will never go back. Sadly the Giro Guage BOA and the ION Rascal Select are the only ones left.
  • 1 3
 If it's right on top of the bridge, you risk a severe, maybe catastrophic, injury. Their current location sucks, but is a reasonable compromise. They should make the dial flatter and slightly wider, and put it in a 'bubble' so it will flush-mount. Dial has a crossbar like a CamelBak lid or something, so you can still adjust with gloves in flight. BTW, annoying as it is, I'm a believer. The shoe wears out, or the sole breaks, long before that tiny little plastic thread gives way! I knocked a cap off, and feared my day was done...nope, just snap it back and be gone.
  • 2 3
 i have ridden boa shoes for many years now (speci cliplites and now fox union) and NEVER broke or had a problem with boa.
  • 2 0
 @plustiresaintdead: I've also broken two Boas in that same spot on the side of the shoe. Boa's warranty is great, and one of them was an easy fix. The other one broke at the mount, not the dial itself, so the shoe was done.
  • 2 1
 @plustiresaintdead: yes they do, I ride Boa on all my shoes and I knocked one off the other day, it went back on, but it can happen. I will agreed, Boa are nice, but I'd take a friction pull lace with a stop any day. Laces on the other hand do suck, esp in wet weather and they really suck in freezing weather!
  • 2 0
 I'm getting on well with the Shimano MW7 (702) winter boots. The looks can be an acquired taste for some I guess, mine are usually covered in sloppy mud anyway. The boa is protected by the velcroed 'spat' and is easy to lift just a proportion of it, should you need to adjust mid ride. It's been pretty waterproof and warm for me so far (I bought them to replace my previous MW7 when the soles started to come off after 5 years of considerable abuse)
  • 1 0
 I'm meh on BOA these days - I had a pair of Diadora's with BOA that were an ok fit, but the left shoe would shred the BOA cable within a month or so, then would jam and not release. The right shoe was all chewed up from running 3x (and eventually 2x) so after 2-3 years I binned them and went back to a velcro only Shimano shoe instead. As much as I liked the infinite adjustability I won't be going back in the future. BOA was good supplying replacement cables but I got tired of replacing them.
  • 1 0
 Doesn’t Trek or Specialized put the BOA on the heel of one of their road shoes? Not sure if that’s a good solution, I like BOA dials, and have no objection to them, but I prefer old fashioned laces.
  • 15 1
 Gosh that Gore Tex Branding is embarrasing
  • 2 0
 IIRC, it's a callback to '90s mountaineering boots, La Sportiva and Scarpa models with GoreTex (TM) had it prominent. Licensing. I have a REI jacket from that period that still works, and the logo is in bright yellow on the velcro wrist tabs.
  • 1 0
 agreed. also wonder if there was a difference in breathability between eVent and Gore... there certainly is a difference in price...
  • 1 0
 Perhaps the size of the logo earned them a discount on their materials/royalty due to owners of GoreTex IP? That's the only good reason I can see for making that decision.
  • 2 0
 @slyfink: You have quiet good explanation here: youtu.be/GGEzJJYiROk?si=bL4c9dEPW4aeKLLR
  • 1 0
 @SasaAbazovic: yes, that's what I was getting at... but probably more helpful to post the link than to be sarcastic about it!
  • 1 0
 I agree, but at least the brandings are on the inner sides.
  • 14 0
 Do they have gore tex?
  • 4 0
 "One of the major issues that I had with the Artica X2s was the seam on the inside of the toolbox"

Autocorrect? Toe box?
  • 1 0
 @Caddz Ha! I wish they had a toolbox in them.
  • 3 0
 @mattbeer: Or a phone in the heel to call CONTROL (or 99.)
  • 2 0
 @woofer2609: damn, haven’t thought about Get Smart in decades
  • 2 1
 So I did a big review of these shoes for myself, had winter shoes from Shimano, Endura, Fizik, Vaude, ect...

I really liked the Fizik, but they are on an entirely different plane than the Shimano. These are riding boots, akin to an alpine climbing boot, with a sticky rand, stiff sole, something you'd use for making high alpine hike a bike adventures.

I did not keep them, the heel retention with the Boa was inadequate; the shoe would benefit from an instep strap, and I found the cuff loose and the cuff zipper worthless.

I ended up purchasing the Vaude Moab Winter Mid STX, it's a far better shoe in all ways, better cuff, better heel retention, stickier sole, and less bulk. I ride my Vaude's most days when it's below 40 degree F, they are super comfortable, just right sole for winter use, and they are far more agile on the pedals for getting loose.
  • 1 0
 @sanchofula: cheers. They look good. I am a massive boa fan but would never buy a single boa shoe like the fizik. Laces are better than a single boa.m IMO. My preference is sworks double boa and velcro i think I have had single boa and toe velcro but heal lift /comfort not as good as double boa. but those vaudes look interesting by having upper heal locking closure that is separate from the top of foot one.
  • 2 0
 @gcrider: I just received a pair of the Vaude tech mids for summer riding, they’re also Boa, but they put the knob under the tongue, with a “relief” window where the Boa is covered by the tongue. Super smart designs, Vaude for the win!
  • 1 0
 Purchased these a month ago. Not cheap but I'm happy to pay if the shoes keep my feet warm and dry...and that they sure do. Would highly recommend!
  • 1 0
 I have the Artica X2s. Favorite/best winter/cold/wet riding shoes I've ever had. Getting in/out is my only complaint. Sounds like these have solved that.
  • 2 0
 Another product made extra expensive because of Goreturd license fees?
  • 1 0
 I wonder if this will work at -20?







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