Fizik Terra Clima X2 Shoes: 500 Miles In

After putting together a news Dispatch for Fizik’s expanded Terra X2 shoe lineup in September, I was immediately eager to test a pair for myself. There are three models, each featuring a grippy Vibram sole and clipless compatibility, but catering to slightly different demands. The middle child, Fizik’s Terra X2 Clima, seemed like the obvious choice for an all-season, bikepacking-friendly shoe. The addition of a waterproof-breathable outsole, knitted gaiter, and solid looking design caught my attention.

A couple weeks later, I had a pair of my own. Right out of the box, the Terra Clima X2 shoes exceeded my expectations. At 420 grams per shoe for my size 45, they are fairly lightweight, especially when compared to my beloved Giro Terraduros. More importantly, the exterior fabric feels durable, but not super stiff. Plus, aesthetically speaking, they’re quite nice. They look like a mountain bike shoe, but blend in well with my generally casual, earthtone-heavy style. The integrated knitted gaiter not only serves a purpose, but looks good doing so, tying in nicely with the rest of the shoe.

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Fit wise, there’s a surplus of room in the toe box, which hasn’t been a bad thing thus far. A little bit of vertical wiggle room for my toes means I can keep them moving on long days, avoiding any potential for numbness—an issue many people face while bikepacking clipless. More importantly, the BOA dial and velcro strap provide ample adjustability to keep my foot locked in place. When loosened up, I’m still able to fit my pair of Showers Pass Waterproof Socks inside for riding in wet, cold weather, a feature that came in handy while scouting a route in Arkansas this fall. If you’re looking for a four-season riding shoe, I’d recommend sticking with your regular shoe size. If you’re not anticipating cold weather, where thicker socks may be on the agenda, I’d size down a half or even full size.

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While riding, the Terra Clima X2 shoes performed exactly how I wanted them to. That is, pretty close to my Giro Terraduros, which are still going strong after three years of heavy use. Fizik rates the Terra Clima X2 with a stiffness index of three (medium stiff), which I’ve found to be a sweet spot for trail riding and bikepacking. Although the sole is plenty stiff for my liking, they do have a nice amount of give at the flex area of the forefoot. In other words, when I’m pushing my bike up a steep pitch, the front of the shoe can flex with the terrain. The waterproof-breathable exterior has done a respectable job at keeping water out, and the gaiter helps shield gunk and dirt from entering the shoe. The knitted gaiter fits snugly, without being so tight that it irritates my ankle, something I worried about before actually trying the shoe.

That said, after the inevitabile soaker, they were noticeably slow to dry out, maintaining some soppiness for a few days after the initial incident. The lack of a standard tongue means airing out the shoe at camp is a slower process as well. In short, the Terra Clima X2 shoes certainly aren’t the most breathable shoe I’ve used. If breathability is more important to you than the waterproofness, I’d check out the new Fizik Terra Ergolace X2, which is designed to be just as robust, but loses the waterproof-breathable membrane.

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In terms of durability, they seem to be holding up quite well. There are no premature wear spots to speak of and the Vibram sole is looking as good as new. The ripstop woven upper is new to me; it’s flexible to the touch but substantially burly feeling. The fabric reminds me of a reinforced bottom of a backpack or duffel bag, but tougher. However, it is only one-ply thick on the Terra Clima X2 shoes, so if it does wear out in some way, it’s going to be game changing. Thankfully there’s no sign of wear yet. The black PU-laminate reinforcement areas on the toe cap, heel cap, and sides of the shoe are also holding up and give the impression that they’re very durable. One of the big draws of Fizik’s X2 line is the lugged sole, which based on their marketing is even based on bikepacking. Having done a fair share of hike-a-bike in Arkansas this fall, I’m not disappointed. They are quite grippy and keep traction over rocks, roots, and loose gravel.

• Model Tested: Fizik Terra Clima X2
• Price: $250 USD
• Sizes Available: EU 36-48
• Weight: 420g per shoe
• Place of Manufacture: China
• Manufacturer’s Details: Fizik.com