Sidi’s new Nix winter shoes incorporate the latest PFC-free Gore-Tex tech and are essentially a pared-back evolution of Sidi’s winter cycling boots. The protective outer combines with a fluffy Primaloft lining to make the Nix warm, windproof and water-resistant, while still offering decent breathability.
On first glance, the Nix bears a striking resemblance to the Fizik Tempo Artica GTX winter boots, with a sleek silhouette, ratchet and lace closure and cross-top Velcro strap. The Nix is certainly a far cry from Sidi’s previous winter boot models, with the outgoing Sidi Zero Gore 2 featuring a much more intricate upper design.
Related questions you can explore with Ask Cyclist, our new AI search engine.
According to Sidi’s Simone Favero, the similarities with the Fizik shoe have nothing to do with shared design or manufacturing capabilities, but rather convergent ideas.
‘We have our own closure system, the Sidi rotor using Dyneema cable,’ Favero says, also noting that the upper construction is different, citing the Nix’s ‘heel tension and a patented Firmor lateral support – a sturdy Velcro strap at the ankle – are designed for stability and protection’.
The boots combine a TPU upper with a new Gore-Tex membrane that avoids any environmentally unfriendly PFC chemicals. The padded tongue and ankle sections are finished with a ripstop nylon fabric. The sole is a blend of nylon, glass fibre and carbon fibre, with a claimed stiffness rating of nine out of 12 on Sidi’s internal scale, to balance power transfer and ease of walking. The fit is secured and adjusted using Sidi’s proprietary dial and Dyneema cord system, topped with that ‘Firmor’ Velcro-backed webbing ankle strap.
The Sidi Nix shoes weigh 711g per pair in a size 41 – fairly light for winter boots – and are available in a moderate range of sizes from 40-48, with three options for colours: black, white or this blue with fluoro yellow design.
Sidi Nix winter road bike shoes: Solid performers
The Nixes proved to be easy to wear from the first outing. The operation of the proprietary dial takes a little getting used to but is simple enough for loosening the wire lace and securing your foot in place.
The one-piece ripstop tongue moves out of the way enough for you to slide your foot in without having to wrangle with the boots, which is especially appreciated when wearing slightly thicker winter socks.
The Velcro top strap secures the ankle well, and the loop on the back of the boot is sturdy to help you pull the boots on. At the sole, graduation marks make fitting new cleats a walk in the park. Initial impressions suggested a well-thought out, robust design, which is exactly what most riders would be looking for in their winter riding shoes – save anything flash for the summer.
The boots were tested in a range of conditions from dry to wet and windy, and from 10°C down to freezing point. The first ride proved to be a good test – the morning after a severe storm and heavy flooding, with plenty of road spray to challenge the waterproofing of the boot’s upper. During a three-hour ride in single-digit temperatures the shoes quickly proved their windproofing and water-resistant capabilities, rounded off with a wash down with a high-pressure hose that also didn’t result in any water ingress from the sides or sole.
The one major downside, however, is that my forefoot did get cold, even in warmer winter weather. It’s likely that this is more of a fit issue, with the constriction of the foot limiting circulation. It’s worth pointing out that I suffer from Raynaud’s Syndrome, a fairly common condition related to the circulatory system, which means that I am more prone to feeling the cold in my extremities than most and this may not be an issue for other riders using the Nixes.
The soles of the shoes were spot on: stiff enough to not be too much of a departure from my regular summer cycling shoes, but with a slight flex when off the bike to allow me to totter around the cafe stop.
In terms of weatherproofing, the boots work well in all but heavy, persistent rain, when the water seeps down through saturated tights into the shoes by the ankles – though that’s the case for most winter cycling boots.
Finally, the boots have proven to be easy to keep clean. A quick spray with the hose at the end of a wet ride or a wipe down with a cloth gets rid of the worst of the road filth.
All in all, the Nixes are great-looking winter cycling shoes with all the right elements incorporated for a warm, dry and breathable winter cycling experience. For me, however, they are slightly limited by their narrow fit. Sidi shoes tend to be a good option for the skinny-footed rider; those with wider feet may need to shop elsewhere.
Sidi Nix winter road bike shoes: specs
- Price: £299
- Weight: 711g (size 40)
- Sizes available: 40-48 (full sizes)
- Colours available: Black, white, blue/yellow
- Contact: saddleback.co.uk
