We Rode 500 Trail Miles in the Northwave Enduro Mid 2. Here's What Happened

Jennifer Miller · 2026-08-04

Long summer days mean long days on the trails, and long days on the trails ask a lot of a shoe: comfort, dependability and, if racing is on the calendar, a secure connection you never think about. We've spent the past few months in the Northwave Enduro Mid 2 clipless shoe to find out whether it delivers on its promise. Northwave were founded in the small northern Italian town of Montebelluna, a place renowned as the home of ski boots. It's fair to say that creating an excellent fit is part of their DNA. When you're heading out on a big mountain bike adventure, a shoe that fits properly is half the battle. At the same time, you also want plenty of protection, reliable support, confident grip when you're off the bike, effective ventilation and fuss-free usability. These are all essential qualities for a shoe in the enduro category. Northwave Enduro Mid 2 clipless shoe | 2.66 lbs per pair (size 47) | $194.99 | [Manufacturer's website](https://www.northwave.com) This is exactly what Northwave aim to deliver with the Enduro Mid 2 clipless MTB shoe. The quick-adjust closure, impressive level of protection and outsole inspired by tire tread immediately caught our attention. We put the Italian mid-cut shoe through its paces to find out whether it performs just as well on long days in the saddle as it does on rough, technical descents. ### The Northwave Enduro Mid 2 Clipless MTB Shoe in Detail At $194.99, the Northwave sits towards the premium end of the market for a shoe without a waterproof membrane. Even so, it feels exceptionally well made. If it stands the test of time without the bonded sections coming apart or the seams failing, and there are very few seams to begin with, the price is easy to justify. Alongside the understated black version, Northwave also offer the shoe in Forest Green, which remains fairly discrete despite the yellow logos and sole accents adding a welcome splash of colour. Sizes range from 38 to 48. At 2.66 lbs per pair in size 47, it's relatively heavy, although the weight reflects the shoe's reassuringly robust construction. One of the standout features is Northwave's own SLW3 dial closure, paired with an integrated Velcro strap. The closure also allows you to loosen the fit incrementally, making it easy to relieve pressure on your feet once the descent is over. The Michelin X-Fire outsole combines aggressive tread blocks in the toe and heel areas with a finer tread pattern through the pedal contact surface. This is designed to provide good grip on dirt, rocks and roots, while also offering plenty of traction on the pedal before you've clipped in. On the inside of the Enduro Mid 2, a thick, raised ankle pad protects the inside of your ankle from knocks against the cranks. Up front, a reinforced toe box shields your toes from impacts with rocks and trail debris. Between these protective elements, the upper features extensive perforations, which promise excellent ventilation. ### The Northwave Enduro Mid 2 Keeps Things Understated in Black With a clean, functional look, this shoe doesn't scream for attention on the trail. The grippy rubber outsole with an aggressive tread is designed to provide confident traction both on and off the bike. ### Northwave Enduro Mid 2 Clipless MTB Shoe on Test Straight out of the box, the fit impressed us, suiting our tester Ingo's relatively narrow feet particularly well. In size 47, the shoe comes up around half a size larger than stated. However, it initially feels slightly smaller than expected, as there's noticeably less space around the toes than in other shoes of the same size. Tightening the forefoot with the SLW3 dial is quick and effortless, with or without gloves, and fine-tuning the fit becomes a habit, even while riding. In fact, occasional readjustment is necessary, as the generously padded interior compresses slightly as it warms up and settles over time, leaving the shoe feeling a little looser. The only real drawback is the position of the release button on top of the dial—it's easy to hit accidentally when brushing against brush or your other foot. ### The Verdict: Built for Long Hauls, Not Just Race Day After months of testing across rocky descents, muddy climbs and everything in between, here's where the Enduro Mid 2 truly shines: - **Protection**: The reinforced toe box and ankle pad offer real peace of mind when things get rowdy - **Ventilation**: Those perforations work—my feet stayed noticeably cooler on 90°F days - **Traction**: The Michelin outsole grips like a trial tire, whether you're pushing up a hike-a-bike or scrambling over slick rock But it's not perfect. The weight is noticeable on long climbs, and the fit runs narrow, so riders with wider feet should size up or look elsewhere. If you're after a shoe that feels like a tank but rides like a slipper, the Northwave Enduro Mid 2 is worth every penny. For enduro racing and all-day epics, it's become my go-to—and that says a lot after 500 miles of testing.