Northwave Storm Carbon SPD-SL Road Shoes
- ShowProduct Information Key Features: Morph Carbon 12 AAS sole with full-carbon insert in the pedal area with a stiffness i... read more
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Product Description
Key Features:
- Morph Carbon 12 AAS sole with full-carbon insert in the pedal area with a stiffness index of 12.0.
- The exclusive Anatomical Arch Support ® made of TPU, allows the shoe to perfectly shape on the bow arch, making it the ideal sole for any type of foot
- NW Speedplay adapter compatible for the lowest stack height between foot and pedal
- The unibody construction matches strategically placed large mesh inserts with ultrathin reinforced materials to deliver unrivalled breathability and targeted stability
- Uber-open-knit mesh ensures even greater airflow
- The asymmetric lacing removes pressure from the top of the foot for the optimum snug fit
- SLW2 dial plus extra strap: the only one with step-by-step and full release in a single button
- Performance Regular footbed provides greater support
Occasionally, without notice, manufacturers change product design and/or specifications.
Size Chart
Road Shoe Guide
Road Cycling Shoe Guide
Road Cycling Shoes
Road cycling shoes are lightweight with stiff soles to help you push your power through the pedals more efficiently. To attach the foot to the bike, road cycling shoes have holes in the bottom for fitting cleats that clip in to the confusingly named clipless pedals. Traditionally, cyclists would use toe clips that wrapped around the shoe to hold their foot firmly on the pedals. Clipless pedals do away with the toe clip and use cleats that attach firmly to the pedals instead.
Which road cycling shoes are compatible with my pedals?
There are two different ways to attach cleats to your shoes and it is important that you choose the correct ones to work with your pedals.
Two-bolt, SPD compatible shoes
The two-bolt, SPD clipless system was developed first for road cycling by Shimano. These use a small cleat that attaches to the shoe with two bolts. SPD pedals are easy to clip in and out of but don’t hold the foot as securely as three-bolt systems.
Today two-bolt SPD pedals are mostly used for mountain biking, touring and commuting. That said, SPD pedals are also a good option for road riders who are new to clipless pedals and want to be able to clip in and out easily. SPD cleats are often recessed into the sole of the shoe, so you can still walk relatively normally in these shoes.
There are many other types of pedal that are compatible with the Shimano two-bolt SPD fitting system. SPD compatible shoes are also suitable for use with MTB pedals that use a two-bolt cleat, including those from top brands like Crank Brothers, HT, Time and Look to name a few.
Three-bolt, SPD-SL compatible shoes
The three-bolt, SPD-SL system, also developed by Shimano, is now the type that most road riders use. Three-bolt SPD-SL cleats are much larger than two-bolt SPD style cleats and hold your foot much more securely in the pedals. Just what you need for fast, efficient road cycling.
As well as Shimano, three-bolt SPD-SL shoes are compatible with road bike pedals from brands including Look, HT, Garmin and Wellgo amongst others. The one exception to this are Speedplay pedals that use a four-bolt system, although these are often supplied with adaptors for fitting to three-bolt shoes.
Two and three-bolt compatible shoes
Some road bike shoes are compatible with both two and three-bolt compatible pedals. These shoes will have five holes, so you can choose to fit either an SPD style cleat or an SPD-SL style cleat. These shoes are a great option if you would like to start off using SPD pedals, then move on to SPD-SL pedals once you have gained confidence.
Laces, straps, ratchets and BOAs
A snug fit is essential if you want to get the best performance from your shoes. Your feet swell slightly as they warm up, so a system that is easy to adjust while you ride is also an advantage, especially in long rides. While you can get a snug fit with laces, most road bike shoes use different closure systems that are easier to fine tune and more convenient on the bike.
Velcro straps are easy to use and adjust. Entry level road bike shoes will have two or three straps for a snug fit. Ratchet buckle closures offer a more secure fit and are also easy to adjust. Mid-level road cycling shoes often have a top ratchet closure, for a more secure fit, combined with one or two Velcro straps.
A lace up system without the laces, BOA uses steel laces with nylon guides and a dial for easy closure and adjustment. The main advantage of the BOA closure system is its ability to equalize pressure evenly across the foot for a very snug fit that is also comfortable. BOA is micro adjustable, so you can fine tune the fit more closely than a ratchet. Two-way BOA dials make it very easy to adjust the fit during a ride.
Soles
Road bike shoes have very stiff soles for efficient pedalling. Nylon and fiberglass soles are used to make road bike shoes stiff. Carbon soles are the stiffest and lightest and you will find these on top-of-the-range shoes. Some road bike shoes have walking pads on the sole, so you can walk almost normally when off the bike.
Uppers
Ventilated uppers help your feet to breathe and prevent overheating on long rides and you will find these on most road bike shoes. You can wear these shoes all-year-round by slipping on some overshoes in colder weather. Dedicated winter road boots will keep your feet warm and dry when it is really cold and wet. Reflective trim is a feature that is well worth considering for commuting and winter cycling.
