After 25 years in the industry Northwave has finally produced a flat soled shoe. If you know Northwave you'll also know they don't even sneeze without planning and preparing for it. The sole of the Clan Shoes saw two years of research and testing alone. And it's not just a sole, it's an engineered sole system. The Gravity FPS outsole, known as Gecko+, Northwave claims to be the stickiest compound on the market (big call, we know). Co-developed by Northwave and Michelin Technical Soles grip, traction and durability were the goals the new Gecko+ sole hits the mark!Who's It For: Flat pedal riders (unite!) that are after a very durable shoe with the (claimed) stickiest sole on the market. Pedal Interface: Flat pedals only.Closure: Good ol' fashioned, rarely fail you, easy to find when you need 'em, non-stretch laces. There is a handy elasticated keeper to stow the laces under ensuring they don't end up in your chainring. Upper Materials: The Clan features an abrasion-resistant welded upper with large breathable mesh inserts. Specifically placed welded TPU reinforcements are found on the toe and heel for impact protection. The mesh tongue has customized padding for protection and breathability. Sole Materials: Are you ready for this? Grip, traction and durability. Those were the three boxes the Clan sole's needed to tick. The question was can one single rubber compound provide this? The answer was no- in the end it took a whole engineered sole system with multiple elements that work together. First you have an integrated rubber arch support that ensures stability on the pedals and increased impact protection. Then an adaptive TPU shank (located inside the sole) with calibrated stiffness ensuring greater control, support, and stress response. This TPU shank has lengthwise openings along the medial zone and heel which contain flexion and help control torsion. This is a big help with connectivity to the pedals. Horizontal wedge openings along the toe of the shank enable flexion of the foot on and off the bike. There is also an EVA midsole to help minimise weight while offering effective shock absorption. Lastly we have the Gecko+ Gravity FPS outsole, which Northwave claims to be durable as well as the stickiest compound on the market.Sole Type: The tread design features and extensive flat area with specific cuts to increase pedal pin contact. The toe and heel area features strong sculptures for traction off the bike regardless if your walking up the trail or down.Weight: Not specified.Sizing Guide: These shoes are a loose fit but are supposed to fit true to size. If you've been a size 43 in your last few pairs of Five Tens you should be a 43 in these as well. Last/Width type: Not specified. Cleats: Nope. Flat pedal revolution!Pros: Highly developed and engineered sole system. Durable construction. Laces!Cons: I hope you like black because that is the only colour option.
