A month of testing between XC and gravel
A month in the saddle with the Northwave Razer allowed us to fully understand the philosophy of this shoe: a model designed to straddle the world cross country and more demanding gravel, where comfort and performance must coexist without compromise.
Construction and materials
Razer adopts a XC sole stiffness index 10, a value that guarantees great power transmission without sacrificing too much flexibility on longer stretches.
La upper It is made of Double layer TPU, with Reinforcements on toe and heel to improve impact protection.
The locking system combines a velcro strap and an X-Dial SLW3 micrometric rotor, precise and progressive, which allows micro-adjustments even while driving.
The picture is completed internal silicone coating, which keeps the heel stable, and replaceable front and rear studs, an increasingly rare but precious detail.
The field test
The one-month trial included both short and intense outings, useful for evaluating the stiffness and response of the sole, both longer rides, where comfort and stability come into play.
The result? A shoe capable of pushing hard on the pedals and to return energy efficiently, while maintaining comfort and naturalness in pedaling.
Il silicone heel keeps the foot firmly in place, while the structure of the upper avoids pressure points even after hours of use.
On descents and on guided sections, the sensitivity of the foot remains high: a rare aspect in an XC shoe, where stiffness often penalises the feeling with the bike.
Walkability and versatility
La sole does not flex, But the tread pattern allows you to walk with good stability even on uneven terrain.
It's not designed for long distances on foot, but compared to many pure XC bikes, the Razer offers a more confident and natural stride — a plus for those who practice technical gravel or marathon with pushing sections.
Conclusions
La Northwave Razer It's a surprisingly complete shoe.
It moves effortlessly between XC and gravel, offers a convincing balance between stiffness and comfort, and even manages to transmit a good ride feel.
Perhaps it just lacks a little adaptability for the extreme cycle mountaineering, but for everything else it is an ideal companion: light, precise and comfortable.
Versatile like few others, it could soon become Northwave's new all-rounder.
Info and prices: https: www.northwave.com/it/
