Nike Poobah is back! Well, not really, but the pastel colors and prominent ankle strap of the Sidi Nix remind me of my first pair of MTB SPD shoes, which were a bit gimmicky. Part of Sidi’s full range of winter road, gravel and mountain bike shoes, the Nix are marketed as “a performance road shoe for cold weather”, although they’re clearly more of a boot.
Many committed riders will at some point be faced with the decision of whether to take the plunge and invest in a pair of dedicated winter cycling shoes – the extra warmth, protection and comfort, plus less hassle than overshoes, make them an attractive option The perfect choice if you spend a lot of time riding in cold and wet conditions. Plus, you won’t get your shiny summer shoes dirty, and you can size up your winter boots so you can wear nice, thick socks. Although there may be significant costs, this can be offset by reduced wear and tear on your shoes during the summer.
Snow? No problem for Sidi Nix
(Image credit: Tim Larson)
Typically, winter cycling shoes will feature a higher ankle, waterproof membrane and some form of insulation, as well as a roomier fit and a slightly less rigid sole than summer racing shoes. Keeping your feet warm on cold days is hard work; they sit at the ends furthest from the body and essentially don’t move while riding. Warm winter tights and stockings can help keep warm blood warm on its long journey to your feet, but the warmer your shoes, the better. The trade-offs are weight, bulk and riding “feel” – big, padded boots can feel awkward and sloppy on the bike.
put up
Aside from the brief resemblance to the iconic shoe from the ’90s, the Nix has a few other interesting things going on. The Gore-Tex membrane is part of a new wave of waterproof fabrics introduced in response to the PFAS ban, and it’s built on Sidi’s new “Millennium” last, which appears to be about twice as large as previous Sidis.
The 3-bolt sole unit is made of nylon and fiberglass with plenty of markings to help keep your cleats aligned nicely. However, the grips are shallow (especially the ones on the front) and not replaceable, which is a big shame for a shoe at this price. Sidi gives it a stiffness rating of 9 out of 12, which is a few notches below their all-around race shoes, but still good enough for winter driving.
Durability rating 9, but heel and toe protectors are not replaceable
(Image credit: Tim Larson)
Cute, comfortable Primaloft fleece lined boots, even the insole has a warm brushed feel. On the exterior, areas of potential wear are reinforced with stronger TPU, while the rest of the upper is made from slightly lighter perforated microfiber. Whether these perforations are for breathability or for aesthetics is up for debate in a shoe like this.
BOA style dial laces end roughly like regular shoe laces and are secured at the softer ankle with a wraparound Velcro strap. The strap extends almost 360° around the cuff, secured only by Sidi’s “S” to provide better heel retention.
In addition to the blue option, the Nix is ​​also available in a chic but impractical white and a more practical black, in sizes ranging from 36 to 50.
The dial lacing system and Velcro ankle strap secure the Nix well
(Image credit: Tim Larson)
riding
First, as mentioned above, their dimensions are very different from the old Sidis. The size 44 fits me perfectly and is the same shoe I wear in Quoc, Specialized and Giro summer shoes or Northwave winter boots. Previously, I needed 45 inches in Sidi, although these are still on the narrow side, with no wide options available. The thick fleece lining also makes them feel comfortable, especially when new, but I know it will shrink a bit after a few rides, leaving more room to squirm. Another advantage of wool is that it is very grippy, so it helps keep the foot securely in the boot, which can be an issue with roomier, more comfortable winter shoes.
When wearing summer shoes with thick shoe covers, the extra bulk can sometimes cause the crank arms and chainstays to rub, rubbing off any anodization or paint and wearing down the shoe covers. This isn’t an issue with certain winter boots, and it’s even less of an issue with the slim and neat Sidis – there’s a sizable gap between my boots and any metalwork or carbon fiber.
Better than training indoors if you dress appropriately
(Image credit: Tim Larson)
The stiffness level of the sole is not discernible when pedaling, or at least not on the kind of solid winter miles I wear them on, but they are definitely less wooden on the bike and the front part of the cleat is under pressure The lower body exhibits significant bending (e.g. when kneeling). This is a good thing when it comes to winter boots, as the little movement helps keep your toes warm.
The Sidi’s dial lacing system is very similar to the ubiquitous BOA design, with rotating knobs wrapped in thin Dyneema cords. Releasing it requires pinching the sides of the dial to fully release the tension, so there’s no fine-tuning available, but again, on a relatively bulky winter boot, this doesn’t really matter.
The cuffs aren’t particularly high, and while the ankle strap does a good job of holding the heel in place, it doesn’t quite seal the opening of the boot to the front of the ankle. So on very cold or wet days I realize there is a bit of a ventilation gap at this point (but I do have skinny ankles). This is especially noticeable when worn with the Castelli Sorpasso RoS Wind Tights, which in my opinion could use a few more inches at the bottom.
The cuffs are not as high as some boots, leaving potential cold spots
(Image credit: Bob)
The slim fit, grippy fleece lining and good retention system combine to provide a very secure feel both in and out of the saddle. Heel lift is non-existent and foot movement is non-existent, making the Nix feel livelier than they should. Given this, I can see them being used in a pretty wide range of conditions, not just begrudgingly worn when the mercury dictates. Wearing them doesn’t compromise performance like some of the more scruffy winter boots.
It’s difficult to make any meaningful comment on the warmth of a boot because there are so many factors involved. Fit, temperature, other clothing, effort level, fatigue, and metabolism, but I was happy wearing these for three to four hours of riding in low single digit temperatures, and I imagine they’d be fine on rides in sub-zero temperatures too A few hours of work – anyway, I’m sure any sensible person would have stopped for a coffee by then!
Value and conclusion
There’s a lot to like about Sidi Nix. The new last is more in line with the styles of other brands, the Gore-Tex membrane provides reliable protection, and the fit is very neat and secure. However, the low cuffs slightly affect the warmth of the cozy fleece lining, so make sure your bib tights are long enough to compensate for the lack. Unfortunately, the only lug is not replaceable.
A pair of cycling shoes costs £300 but you get branded Gore-Tex and Primaloft fabrics and Sidi performance, and if the cost encourages more winter miles then it sounds like a reasonable deal to me .
