Oregon winters are wet and chilly, and these boots make all the difference. I use them for road riding, with SPD pedals. They don't leak up through the cleats as some shoes do, and the shell is truly waterproof. I find them comfortable down to about 33 degrees, with thick socks. I've ridden in heavy rains for hours many times and they never leak... except, as with every winter shoe I've used, water can get in from the top, and the neoprene collar will soak up some water. But even after riding for several hours, this has not resulted in water leaking down into the shoe. If you're really hard-core about dryness, use gaiters to cover the upper shoe collar, and pull your rain pants down over the gaiters for a perfect seal. I do recommend getting the WIDE version, even for normal feet, as the "normal" fit version made my narrow feet feel pretty claustrophobic. Lastly, the soles are very good for walking, when you need to.
For winter weather I strongly recommend winter shoes. I tend to have cold feet and these winter shoes make biking in mid 20�F temperatures much more tolerable. I wear wool socks and these shoes and can last for about 2 hours before taking a warmup break. I had tried regular shoes with shoe covers and chemical hand warmers, and these shoes are much warmer. I wear these in the same size as my summer Shimano shoes and find the fit, with moderately thick wool socks, to be good.
I just looked it up, and I've owned these shoes since 2/2020 meaning that at this point I have close to 25,000 miles on them. They've held up great, and the Tecno-3 closure system has worked flawlessly. I almost wish that I was ready for new shoes, but honestly I have no objective reason to replace these!
I've owned other brand shoes, but mostly I've owned Sidi. These are my 4th pair. At least for me, Sidi shoes have always been a great fit and their sizing is consistent from model to model. One of the reasons I'm willing to pay a little more for Sidi is that I know I can get service parts. When the heal pieces wear out, I know I can buy replacements. When straps have worn out or broken on older models, I've been able to replace them. That's refreshing in a time when seemingly nothing is serviceable!
The Fizik Terra Powerstrap X4 Gravel Shoe is a solid choice for gravel riders looking for comfort, style, and functionality on mixed terrain. The standout feature of this shoe is its Powerstrap design, which uses a unique hook-and-loop system to secure the foot snugly without pressure points. This makes it easy to adjust on the fly and keeps your foot in place even on rough trails.
The X4 outsole offers the right balance between stiffness and flex, making it comfortable for both riding and the occasional hike-a-bike. While it's not as rigid as a dedicated road shoe, it performs well on gravel, offering good power transfer and decent grip when walking. The shoe also has a stylish, streamlined look and durable materials that handle mud and dirt well.
One downside is that the shoe may not be ideal for riders with wide feet, as the fit is fairly narrow. Overall, the Fizik Terra Powerstrap X4 is a well-designed, comfortable gravel shoe that�s both functional and great-looking, ideal for cyclists who prioritize versatility and style in their gravel gear.
