REVIEW - Northwave Corsair 2 Mountain Bike Shoe

Built to be your companion through the mountains on rides long and short, the NorthWave Corsair 2 provides a comfort and performance forward design in a durable shell. With a ratchet style fastener, tough yet breathable Ripstop material throughout the upper, and a stiff but walkable sole, the Italian footwear experts have thoughtfully crafted a shoe worthy of a double take. 

Highlights

• SLW3 closure system by X-Dial
• EVA midsole to reduce weight and improve shock absorption
• PU (Polyurethane) and Ripstop with TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) anti-abrasion inserts placed on the forefoot of the upper to protect high impact zones
• Damp-Evo clipless sole for improved flexibility of the sole
• Natural rubber tread for more grip
• 35mm of cleat travel toe-to-heel
• Added padding on the tongue for all day comfort
• Available in Black, Blue and Green (tested) colorways
• MSRP: $140 USD

Initial Impressions

At first glance, these might look like a super tech hiking shoe, which is not wrong; however, they surprised us by how comfortable they were on foot and look right at home when kitted up for a trail ride. In the past we have trended towards shoes that may be more appearance influenced than performance oriented, so getting our feet into these was a bit of a shock to the system. From the jump we noticed that there was far less padding in these than in some other shoes we have ridden in the past but it was clear there were loads of design elements the engineers and designers wanted to pack into these shoes. Between the mix of materials used in the upper (all parts or sections of the shoe above the sole) and the fairly extreme tread pattern along the outsole resembling the deep grooves of a downhill tire (part of the sole which makes contact with the ground), it's clear that these shoes aren’t your teenage son's skate shoes, nor do they resemble them one bit. As far as fit goes, the Corsair 2 fit true to size with a slightly narrower profile compared to other brands like Shimano or Five Ten, and the toe box is not the widest but on par with most other trail shoes. 

On the Trail

Each detail listed above was notably designed with the clear intent to enhance your experience on the bike, and keep riders from having to think about their feet while riding. The single SLW3 closure made slipping the shoes on very easy and intuitive, and we didn’t notice any hot spots or discomfort due to the closure system. Moving on to the sole, it is slightly stiffer than a typical enduro or all mountain shoe but provided a comfortable amount of feedback from the bike and a solid foundation to stand on without being overly stiff like a road shoe. Even on a ride that lasted over three hours without stopping, we never experienced any foot fatigue or numbness, which is very surprising for any shoe. On the other end of the spectrum, the sole never felt too stiff while hiking, and the outsole provided an ample amount of grip on rocks, wet roots, and loose soil. 

Another notable feature of these shoes is the materials used in the upper. NorthWave decided to use a mix of ripstop with TPU inserts around the toe and heel. The ripstop material is highly breathable and was much appreciated while riding in the California summer heat, but it is also very durable and didn’t show any signs of wear when scraped against the volcanic rock of Angel Fire Bike Park or covered in Washington mud. More on the mud part, the ripstop material and TPU inserts did a very good job of protecting our feet from water and dirt. Although not completely waterproof, the shoes did keep our feet dry from the occasional puddle splash or globs of mud. 

Things That Could be Improved

We do have one gripe with these shoes: the SLW3 closure system was a tad annoying to get used to and we never fully got used to it. It was very intuitive to tighten; however, it was not very clear how to loosen the closure. We actually had to look up how to undo the fastener and release tension on the system, which quickly made sense. To loosen the system, you pull up on this small lever located on the tension dial and hold it up while pulling on the system. It sounds simple, but it didn’t want to stay open while undoing the shoe or releasing tension on the system. Even though it’s not the end of the world, in our eyes it would be nice to have a more common BOA system on the shoes for ease of use.

Long Term Durability

After 3 months of riding, these shoes didn’t show any major signs of wear and have maintained their original shape or look very well. Once again, the Ripstop combined with TPU inserts have protected the upper nicely and the outsole has held up against hiking as well as the pins of our Crankbrothers Mallet pedals. One minute difference we have noticed from new to where we are now, was that the sole does fell slightly more pliable or a touch softer than when they were brand new. 

What’s the Bottom Line?

Northwave have crafted a shoe which has made us think about more than just looks. The Corsair 2 shoes made us forget they were even on and solely focus on riding due to the meticulous attention to design and detail. However, if you are looking for a shoe that is a bit more skate shoe style or not so tech looking, then these might not be your cup of tea.

For more information please visit northwave.com

View key specs, compare clipless shoes, and review the Northwave Corsair 2 in the Vital MTB Product section.

About The Tester

Tanner Stephens - Age: 30 // Years Riding MTB: 18 // Height: 5’10” (178 cm) // Weight: 145-pounds (65.8kg)

Most known for winning a Pro US Downhill National on an old spray-painted bike, Tanner chased the dream of racing at the World Cup level for several years. Now working within corporate America, he keeps his hands in the bike industry through various creative outlets. He has developed a strong affection for suffering on long road and mixed terrain rides and getting sketchy on an XC bike; however, he hasn’t lost his love for smashing rocks, railing corners, and flowing jumps. A true student of mountain biking, Tanner has a strong love for downhill history and can be heard chatting about racing on Vital’s B Practice Podcast.