Nicola Rutzou
Our editor tested Northwave’s new mid-range shoe and found them comfortable and functional, and definitely up to the task.
Italian brand Northwave recently added the new Revolution mid-range shoe to its range, aiming for a ‘pro’ look in a comfortable shoe. They didn’t disappoint.
The shoes I tested were the slightly funky light grey/sage colourway, but they are also available in three other options. I’d usually stick with the more conservative black or white for cycling shoes because they ‘go with everything,’ but I liked the distinctive look of these kicks.
As you would expect for a mid-range shoe, the soles are composite carbon rather than full carbon and have a stiffness index of 13 out of 15. For reference, my current road cycling shoes have full carbon soles, and these felt no less stiff to me. They were comfortable but supported my foot in the way that a stiff sole should.
Northwave says that the sole is designed to follow the anatomical shape of the foot arch to provide support and comfort, and they lived up to this claim. The Revolution shoes also include two air vents and laser holes to optimise airflow in and out, which meant my feet didn’t overheat even when the temperature rose.
I ride with Shimano pedals and the cleats were easy to fit with a range of adjustments. The Revolutions are also Speedplay and Wahoo compatible with Northwave’s optional adapter. They also have replaceable rubber heel pads that extend the shoes’ lifespan.
The Revolution’s closures are two dual-rotor dials in a funky lime green. They functioned well, although I constantly forgot which way to push or pull the buttons and dials to release them! Though I didn’t test this out, they are designed to make micro-adjustments even while you’re riding.
The uppers are made of PU synthetic leather, and although I managed to scuff the toes on every ride, they were easy to clean, so I suspect they’ll still look good over time. The tongue with a sage green strip is made of mesh material, which adds to their breathability.
I must admit that the first time I wore them, they were a little uncomfortable because the top of the shoe pressed against the bottom of my ankle, but after a few wears, they have softened.
They also felt a little spacious around my toes, which, while not necessarily a bad thing (plenty of wriggle room), feels quite different from my other road cycling shoes. I suspect they would feel even better for people with wider feet, and incidentally, they come in a wide model, too.
Revolution is available in four colour versions: black, white, light grey/sage, and a bolder one with fluoro-red inserts. The new model is also available in a wide version. 
