Northwave Mission Shoes Review - BikeRadar

These shoes are great on the mountain and trail. They keep ya feet dry as long as you don't get silly with the wet stuff and the lacing has a loop and stay mechanism not loose lace ends that get caught on bushes etc. The sole is one of the best and you don't sound like a tap dancer in the car park.

I have had a pair of these for a couple of months. I'll be honest, I bought them to use largely spd'less until my usual spd equipped shoes die, and tend to use them riding retro BMX bikes or just as a leisure shoe.

Warning - I think they look pretty smart, and what swayed my view over other shoes in the shop - I won't ever choose cycling shoes largely on looks ever again!

They are a dry use only shoe really. Indeed, when I first wore them, I was surprised to feel a breeze coming through the area over the toe onto my foot from the thin and almost "cochet" like foot covering. Cool shoes, literally - ut thats not a bad thing for hot feet on a sunny ride.

As for roomy, well, in the shop they felt comfy, but after a bit of wearing in, wonder if I got the sizing right, I certainly wouldn't describe them as particularly roomy. I usually wear an 8, my other old Pearl Izumi's were an 8 and comfy. My pair are an 8.5 and still feel just a tiny bit cramped in the toes. (in length, not width, of toe box)

The soles can also be a bit slippery in the wet on marble/shooping centre or pebbledashed style flooring, and make a duck like squeek walking in them.

The soles are not as stiff as leisure Shimao shoes I tried, which makes these Northwaves good for walking in. In comparison with the MT42's I tried, these are wider on the foot. They are other than my observations, comfy enough.

The lace system is good enough, but in doing them up, the laces do tend to snag on the velcro, and the laces feel cheap and thin in material volume.

Oh, and check the bolts holding the spd covers, I have inadvertently lost 3 of the 4 mine came with, clearly Northwave either don't do them up tightly in the factory, or they have a tendency to come loose in wearing, which is a pain and another design fault.

All in all, an ok shoe, but watch the length/size, as you will probably have to go up at least 1 size from what you think you are. I still prefer my old Pearl Izumis, which makes it a shame that they are discontinued.

All in all, ok, a touch pricy, too many flaws to give a 4, and I'd probably not buy again, unless someone from Northwave wants to send me a new set of bolts...... :)

Been using these for nearly 2 years now and i really rate them, comftable and easy to walk on uneven terrain which means they are ideal if your riding takes you to places where you occasionaly have to shoulder the bike and do a bit of hiking, the roominess of them means that in winter seal skinz socks fit in easily, which for me means i don't have to buy an extra set of winter shoes. Only real downside is that the sole is a little flexy so definitley not a racers shoe and consequently they work best with a platform clipless pedal such as Crank Brothers Mallets. Highly reccomended.