Northwave Tailwhip Eco Evo shoe review
Product reviews
The Northwave Tailwhip Eco Evo shoes are a sustainable option from Northwave, using Michelin soles that give impressive amounts of grip. The shoes are really comfy and come at a decent price, too. As far as the best mountain bike shoes go, these are a great option if you’re someone that likes riding with flat pedals.
Northwave Tailwhip Eco Evo shoes - Technical details
Northwave has made a big deal out of the fact that these shoes have good eco credentials, utilising RePET, ReRubber and ReFoam, which are recycled polyester, a blend of virgin and recycled rubber and post-production waste material with water-based glue. Northwave says that the shoes use 53.34% responsible input..
This mix of materials results in a sturdy sole with a nice amount of stiffness. It also means you have the ability to walk with comfort should a hike-a-bike scenario come into the mix, and there's a pliable upper, which snugs down nicely to the shape of your foot.
The retention system is a simple set of laces, with a little tuck loop which houses the loose ends to make sure they don’t catch your chain.
Northwave Tailwhip Eco Evo shoes - Performance
The standout feature has been the insane grip levels. At times I actually felt like the shoe was clipped in – the traction is that good. When descending or rolling over bumpy stuff, the grip is excellent, which has given me great confidence and let me go flat-out without concern.
As someone with reasonably wide feet, I found these to be comfy with enough room inside to not cause issues.
One area that could do with more attention is the arch support. The insole is very floppy and doesn’t add any stability and I’d love to see the inclusion of some extra support. A small gripe is that there’s no water resistance whatsoever, which means they’re great when the weather is nice but not so if you get caught in the rain. My guess is that the eco-credentials have meant waterproofing has had to take a back seat, but this can be forgiven.
Northwave says it's named these the Tailwhip due to the similarity they share with skate shoes, and I have to say that’s very true. The aesthetics are somewhat of a lovechild between Vans and Five Tens. The brand also says the Northwaves can double up for casual use.
Northwave Tailwhip Eco Evo shoes - Verdict
At £99, these are a good pair of shoes for the money, especially considering the eco-friendly credentials. A similar option from Five Ten is the Freerider Primblue which comes in at between £100 and £130 but lacks the grip levels of the Northwaves.
I really like these shoes, both from a looks aspect and also the way they perform. Not only did the grip levels give me confidence but they were also pleasantly comfortable. I would recommend these as summer shoes owing to the fact that their weather protection is not the best in the segment.