Fizik Terra Ergolace GTX MTB Shoe Review

The Terra Ergolace range consists of trail shoes suitable for cycling as well as technical routes, with flat and flat models available. They have a soft midsole to balance ease of movement and pedal stability, with enough protection to tackle tough trail riding, and a Vibram outersole. The name Ergolace comes from the offset lacing, which provides a completely custom fit, even the tightest lacing compression that spreads evenly over your foot. At the end of 2023, Fizik released the Terra Ergolace GTX. All the design concepts are still there, however the surface is improved with the addition of a Goretex lining, perfect for those who ride in dirty conditions, or live in areas where their riding goes into the cold and wet months.

A closer look

I've used the Ergolace X2 before, and I really enjoyed the low weight and subtle look of the shoe. Aesthetics aside, the shoes don't have much padding, which I like. It means they dry quickly so they don't hold much water after crossing rivers. Treading on the soles has deep channels to hold up, or to dig in with the heels you need to go down something you can't climb. The clear channel is nice and long and allows for a variety of setups as well.

Fizik has included a nice toe bumper and a solid rubber bumper that wraps around the arch, with extra reinforcement on the outside of the shoe. There's an EVA midsole for all-day comfort, and while the lacing looks easy, it's easy to find the right fit just before removing the laces to keep them securely in place in the stretch loop. The tongue is stitched up to the second highest lace loop – so as for waterproofing under the Goretex lining, that will only work in shallow fishing.

The materials are a synthetic blend, and all are hard wearing. I had the EU44 on test which is true to size. I have a wide 4E foot and they are great for the width, but I didn't find them uncomfortable for trail riding up to 3 hours. My test pair weighed 420g per shoe before I added the cleats.

On the road

Outside of riding, the Terra Ergolace GTX is a comfortable shoe. The toe box is much nicer than say, the Fox Union BOA, and the midsole is soft as well. In terms of sole durability the Fiziks are very similar to the Specialized 2FO Cliplite, although that shoe has a wider toe box and the outersole is not nearly as efficient off the bike.

Where the Terra Ergolace GTX really shines is when your ride can encompass both indoor and outdoor cycling, and in a wide variety of situations. I didn't go out in the rain with these shoes but I had a lot of wet conditions to ride in, and I appreciated the Goretex lining for that. Summer is summer, and it's worth noting that a shoe with Goretex lining will be warmer than one without.

The Terra Ergolace paired well with the Shimano XT trail pedals, and were perfectly acceptable with the Shimano XT race pedals, which I didn't expect given the low stiffness rating of '3'. My main concern was the width, as they don't have the same offering as other Fizik shoes with synthetic leather uppers. I stayed comfortable, but I think that for all day riding my wide feet would be difficult – and I should look for 44.5.

The decision

The Fizik Terra Ergolace is a comfortable shoe, and the new Goretex-lined model will suit riders in cooler climates, or those looking for a rugged adventure shoe. I would lean towards the Terra Ergolace model over the Terra Atlas for trail riding and adventure riding, especially for the protection and stability the bike offers. Currently, the Goretex model is not available in Australia, but the standard model is available. However, if you need something that can ward off wet weather and help you stay warm, you can order this directly from the Fizik website with worldwide shipping.