I reviewed the original Fizik Ergolace GTX shoe back in March 2024, two and a half years on they are still my go to shoe when the weather turns inclement. Perfect for all but deep winter riding, you can read the original review here Ergolace 1
If you don’t want to read all that (the pictures are pretty) then this is how I summed up the original shoe….. “if you want a shoe that will do short rides, epic adventures across the globe, hike a bike up hellvellyn and still not look out of place in the pub (or at work….ask me how I know) then buy the Fizik Terra ergolace shoes. they are not cheap and I dont say this lightly, but they are worth every penny.”
As you can see I liked the shoe so it was with some excitement and not a little trepidation I got to try the successor, the version 2, it’s got to be better right? I hope so, but you know when your phone or your computer gets a software update and everything is a little different and not in the place you left it and it takes you ages to get your head around it? That’s what I hoped wouldn’t be the case as I like the original shoe so much.
The differences between the two versions are many. Firstly the traditional lace system has gone, it’s replaced by a speed lace. this is an improvement as fumbling with laces with cold hands was a pain. The shoe is wider as standard as apparently this was a criticism of the original. I do not have wide feet so this was never an issue for me. The shoe nowhas less bulk and now has no “tongue” like a normal shoe. Its more like a sock that you slip on and has an elasticated cuff. Fizik call it an “airprene bootie” change from the original design to cut down on overlapping seams and relieve pressure on the forefoot. The outer is a ripstop fabric that even though this is not a practical colour for the UK cleans up very well and dries quickly. The tread on the sole has been completely redesigned in “vibram megagrip” is much more aggressive and chunky.
The similarities are that the shoe retains the Gore-Tex membrane, polyurethane protection panels and a nylon shank for pedalling efficiency but retaining the important flexability for walking
Things I like about the new shoe I like the extra roominess, even though I don’t have wide feet I have found that the extra room allows your foot to spread out and when wearing a thicker or waterproof sock that extra space is very welcome. I like that Fizik have retained the power transfer stiffness and the walking ability. I helped out for the day in my local bike shop and obviously cycled there but was able to leave the ergolace shoes on all day without discomfort (the cleat is recessed enough so you don’t sound like an audition for the Tap dance week of Strictly) the sole seems a little thicker than the old shoe so I had to raise my saddle a little to compensate. I like that despite the complete change to the upper the water resistance and breathability is as good as ever. I like the speed lace too although there isn’t as much adjustment as there was with tradtional laces.
Things That are taking me time to adjust to The new bootee system can be a pain as the aperture for your foot reaches a certain width and then stops when the elastic reaches its limit, unlike the old tongue and two halves on the old shoe. You definately need a shoe horn to get your feet in them if you are wearing thicker socks. Once on and you’ve rucked your socks into position the new shoe is actually more comfortable than the old one, I presume because of the extra width. I’m hoping that with time the upper will stretch a little and become less of a fight to put on initially.
So is the Fizik Ergolace GTX 2 an improvement over the original? Just about yes. Sometimes change isn’t good, this is mostly because you get used to how things feel and work. this time all the good ingredients of the original are there, the pedalling efficiency, the walkability, the comfort, the water resistance and breathability. The addition of the speedlace is welcome as is the updated sole which is much grippier than the original. The jury is still out on the foot wrapping bootie and this jurer hopes that will bed in and the shoe will be perfect. Cross your fingers!
you can find more details on the new Fizik Ergolace GTX 2 here
UK GRAVEL COLLECTIVE 