Cycling footwear is arguably one of the most important components of your kit; one of the main contact points between bike and body. Although not always an exciting upgrade, you could call it the unsung hero of your riding get-up. A good shoe is one that you don’t really notice!
The Rockit Plus is an All-Mountain/Enduro shoe from Northwave. It’s brimming with tech, and packaged in a stylish but relaxed aesthetic. The Rockit Plus has a competitive price tag at $229.95 and weighs 725g (both shoes).
Tech Features:
The first thing we’ll comment on is the closure system. Northwave has gone lace-less, but with a twist (literally!). The X-Dial SLW3 is the Italian outfit’s version of a BOA dial. The indexed dial reels in a Dyneema cable — which is claimed to 15x stronger than steel, but light enough to float on water — pulling up on the little lever releases it one click, while pushing down lets it free spin to release all of the tension.
The steps in the dial felt well-spaced, allowing for easy, fast and secure tightening. They also have a single-step release option, which comes in handy if you rotate a little too far and get a little too snug.
You’ll find a Wolftrax Vibram sole on the Rockit Plus. Made from 30% recycled rubber, we found the shape of the sole to be thoughtfully constructed. There were no issues with clipping in and out, and when locked in, the shoe still made contact with the pedal pins. Our feet were pleased to see that Northwave included a reinforced outer toe box. Let’s be honest, there is nothing worse than kicking a rock at 50km/h.
Fit and comfort:
We found these shoes to fit pretty true to size. If anything, width-wise, they may slightly favour the neutral to narrow end of the spectrum. The sole stiffness is spot on. Firm but still comfortable for hike-a-bike moments. The heel cup is deep and secure, making your foot feel confidently cradled and locked in. No issues with heel slip when riding or walking here! There is a generous amount of padding around the achilles too, which is always welcomed.
Aesthetics:
Mountain bike shoes have come a long way in terms of looks. The Rockit Plus have an understated but modern appearance. The outline is right on trend with other brands and models on the market. However, our only gripe is that the blue colourway is the only option in Australia. The blue looks great but it won’t be for everyone. You can get a black version of the laced Rockit but it is the model below the Plus version.
Final thoughts:
The Rockit Plus is a competitively priced shoe, reasonable in weight and full of up-to-date tech features. In our eyes, it’s a worthy consideration amongst the packed field All Mountain/Enduro shoes like Shimano’s GE9.
