Fizik X2 Terra Ergolace trail shoe review

We’re big fans of Fizik’s weather-beating X2 Terra Clima mountain bike boot, but how do their lightweight trail/enduro shoes perform?

Fizik X2 Terra Ergolace trail shoe
(Image: © Guy Kesteven)

Bike Perfect Verdict

Light, tough enduro/trail shoe with excellent feel and easy walking but not for power pedallers

Pros

  • +

    Excellent fit and lightweight comfort

  • +

    Awesome trail feedback

  • +

    Decent weather protection

  • +

    Aggro cleat position potential

Cons

  • -

    Expensive for a lace-up shoe

  • -

    Too floppy for power pedallers and/or small pedals

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It took us a few rides to get into the distinctive sock and sandal style of Fizik’s Terra Clima boot but once we’d synced we wore them nearly all winter/spring. The Ergolace shoes offer the same high feedback, gravity/tech-oriented trail feel with a light, low profile but impressively tough and comfortable upper.  

 Sole 

The shared feel between the Clima and Ergolace isn’t a surprise as the sole unit is identical. That means a soft compound, chevron Vibram offering plenty of grip in all conditions. A very flexible and mobile shank underneath makes them comfortable and easy to walk. It gives excellent pedal feel on larger cage pedals and they’ve got a damped rather than clattery feel on rocky trails. The cleat slots are also extended back into the midfoot to provide a more centred ‘flat pedal’ foot position if you want it. The flex in the sole does mean less power transfer for hard pedalling though and you’ll also flop and droop around smaller platform pedals more than most shoes.

 Upper 

The upper is also similar to the Clima’s with a thick, stiffened Ripstop fabric reinforced with big toe and heel bumpers plus a long rubber scuff panel down the outside. That makes them armoured enough to use as a proper enduro shoe without risking bludgeoned toes. They’re naturally wind- and splash-proof but you’ll need to use a coating spray to make them more shower/rain resistant. While it feels slightly stiff at first the tough fabric moulds really well to your foot after a couple of rides and the asymmetric lacing tensions evenly across the stiff tongue for a secure but comfortable fit. While their ultimate security depends on your ability to tie a knot in the laces, there’s obviously no risk of dial or ratchet failure. It also keeps the overall shoe weight low at sub 400g and while the cost is high for a laced shoe, durability and quality are excellent. They also come in four different colours. 

Fizik X2 Terra Ergolace trail shoe

The X2 Terra's comfortable and grippy walking platform suits those whose rides often include a hike-a-bike or mid-ride exploring (Image credit: Guy Kesteven)

Verdict

They’re not cheap and the floppy sole won’t suit power riders, but the tough, lightweight, securely comfortable and grippy, maximum communication sole make Fizik’s X2 Terra Ergolace an excellent enduro/trail investment for clipped in pinners.

Tech spec:  Fizik X2 Terra Ergolace trail 

  • Sizes: 36-48
  • Weight: 770g
  • Price: £119.99
Guy Kesteven
Technical-Editor-at-Large

Guy Kesteven has been working on Bike Perfect since its launch in 2019. He started writing and testing for bike mags in 1996. Since then he’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. He’s also penned a handful of bike-related books and he reviews MTBs over on YouTube.

Current rides: Cervelo ZFS-5, Specialized Chisel, custom Nicolai enduro tandem, Landescape/Swallow custom gravel tandem

Height: 180cm

Weight: 69kg