Riders who don’t hang it up when the temps drop know that “bad weather” is just a gear problem. The Celsius XT Arctic GTX is the Italian powerhouse’s newest winter riding shoe. The Northwave Celsius XT Arctic GTX is their most complete all-terrain winter shoe yet; part MTB, part gravel, and part expedition boot.
What is it? Northwave Celsius XT Arctic GTX
The Northwave Celsius XT Arctic GTX (XT = Cross Terrain) takes everything Northwave knows about cold-weather footwear and strips it down into a leaner, more flexible package. Think of a more approachable design and way less race-focused than the Flagship GTX (reviewed here).
How? The low-cut upper gives full ankle mobility while still sealing out the elements with a neoprene gaiter and waterproof zip. Inside, a Primaloft Gold 200g liner teams up with the brand-new GORE-TEX Cirrus XT 4L membrane. The GORE-TEX Cirrus XT 4L is PFAS-free, waterproof, windproof, and impressively breathable when paired with wool socks.
The best features of the new membrane are felt on the coldest, crappiest winter days. The GORE-TEX layer keeps out road/trail spray and slush, while the Primaloft insulation traps heat without feeling too bulky (there’s a slight bulk, though). Together, they make the Celsius feel more like a warm performance shoe than a heavy boot or even cycling footwear. This casual-fit approach is something that’s been missing in the Northwave winter-riding space and is a well-appreciated update.
Inside the Celsius XT, the innermost fabric is soft with a super-fleecy lining. The feeling is like a warm blanket, and the compression after tightening the shoe enclosure is very nice. The fleece doesn’t form pressure points; it conforms to the foot, allowing for movement and decompression when pushing hard in a pedal stroke.
How Does the Northwave Celsius XT Arctic GTX Ride?
I’ve had the Celsius XT for quite a while, receiving them in the middle of the previous winter; I’ve used it in nearly every winter condition, and they are excellent performer. However, that performance differs from the Flagship GTX model. Though they are both “winter cycling shoes,” they have very different personalities and can coexist in the same space, though their end users are slightly different.
In the Wintery Mix
As most mountain bikers know, there are trails you can and can’t ride in the winter, especially during the freeze-thaw cycles. That means if you wanna stay fit and off Zwift for as long as possible, you’re gonna be riding some crappy gravel, logging, or rail trail routes.
My first rides on the Celsius XTs were in the low 30s °F. The transition from a race-style cross-country mountain shoe to a more casual shoe took some getting used to. The first couple of miles were a “should I have worn over shoes with my race shoes?” kinda moment. But when the mud and bits of morning slush hit my feet, I knew I had made the right choice. If you plan to spend hours in cold weather on the bike, you’ll want to trade off that snap of a super-stiff sole for comfort and dry feet. I made the right call.
Hello Comfort My Old Friend
The first takeaway is comfort — the wider toe box lets your foot move naturally, even with thicker socks. Pedaling feels connected thanks to the aggressive tread. The tread meets the pedal (I use Look X-Tracks) in a nice way; it adds slightly more contact without impeding clipping in.
I didn’t realize how much I hiked or how often I stopped and chatted on winter rides (especially in the woods). The Celsius XT has an exceptional walking sole—they almost feel like hiking boots—but a stiffer forefoot section that provides apparent stiffness while pedaling.
Northwave calls this sole the Jaws Evo sole, which finds a perfect middle ground between stiffness and flex. It’s noticeable, even with all the padding and other sensory inputs from the shoes.
Easy On/Off
An overlooked element of winter footwear is the on-and-off. For most (even the Flagship GTX), this is a tough ask. The high collar and bulky nature of winter footwear can make putting them on without a shoe horn rough. The Celsius XT, however, is very easy to get on and off, especially with a chemical warmer on the toes. This comes from the dual pull loops on the tongue and heel. The pull-on loops are robust and look well-positioned to last a long time. Most importantly, they don’t impede the fit of the shoe’s cuff and zipper enclosure.
X-Dial SLW3
The X-Dial SLW3 closure handles tension well. The knob is easy to micro-adjust mid-ride, even with gloves on, and the quick-release lever is ideal when your fingers are going numb. Though if you’re a BOA user, it’s gonna take some time to get used to.
What if you take a spill and rip one of the X-dials off? Well, for replacement parts, the Northwave website (and other online retailers) is good in this regard. As someone who’s ripped off a few BOA dials this season in crashes, my first instinct was “how do I get a replacement?”
Warmth and Weatherproofing
With the zippered closure and gaiter sealed, the Celsius XT feels like an actual insulated barrier against the elements. On mixed-surface rides, the Cirrus XT 4L membrane never felt swampy or suffocating, though I always wear wool socks on winter rides when possible.
I ride all year outside (I do ride the trainer too, so I’m not that tough), and when the weather is very frigid, I put a chemical warmer on top of my toes for extra warmth and to extend ride time. However, the times I needed to pull the emergency toe warmer tab with the Celsius XT were few. Yes, sometimes warranted the extra warmth, but when I did, the membrane kept that warmth in the boot as long as possible. Excellent for those group-ride days when the mornings are so cold you wanna stay inside and watch the tour from the trainer.
Visibility is solid, too, with reflective detailing that pops under headlights and streetlights. A small but essential touch for pre-sunrise commutes or late-day winter training.
What About That Color?
Yeah – most, if not all, winter or shoulder weather gear comes in darker colors… and the Northwave Celsius XT is off white. What can I say? They are Italian and have a fashion-forward design. However, I can safely say that the off white of the shoes has held off more mud than I thought possible. The Celsius XT washes up easily and doesn’t hold mud or clay color like other shoes. That said, I’m sure they’ll eventually cave and leak some color, but as of now, they pop on a dark kit. For those who prefer a dark palette, these are also available in a black/fluro design.
Verdict: Northwave Celsius XT
There’s nothing like slipping your foot into a nice, insulated winter riding shoe. But, if that feeling of excellence doesn’t translate on the bike…then you might be riding around in good boots and flats. However, when a footwear company gets it right, it’s very noticeable because winter riding shoes need more than warmth.
Northwave’s Celsius XT Arctic GTX is one of the most capable cold-season shoes I’ve tested in recent years. It hits that elusive blend of warmth, protection, and ride feel, all while looking sleek and staying reasonably light. The low-cut design keeps it from feeling clunky, and the mix of Primaloft + GORE-TEX sets a new bar for breathable winter performance.
Does it dethrone the Flagship GTX? No – that shoe is a winter XC/CX race shoe. It’s basically the Northwave Extreme XC with a Gore-Tex lining and added warmth for racing.
The Northwave Celsius XT is more of an enjoyable shoe. One that you can spend hours in on the bike and in the forest without hot spots or cold feet. It’s more of a shoe for the masses and those looking to go as fast as possible in the cold. However, I do ride pretty fast when my feet are comfy and warm.
Northwave Celsius XT Tech Breakdown
- Upper: GORE-TEX Cirrus XT 4L membrane (PFAS-free) + Primaloft Gold 200 g Eco insulation
- Design: Low-cut profile w/ neoprene gaiter and waterproof zip
- Closure: X-Dial SLW3 precision dial w/ quick-release
- Sole: Jaws Evo composite sole w/ Flexi System and rubber lugs
- Fit: New ergonomic last with/ more internal volume and toe mobility
- Visibility: Reflective detailing on the upper and heel
- Use: Gravel, MTB, bikepacking, and all-terrain winter rides
- Sizes: EU 36–48 (half-sizes 39.5–45.5)
- Colors: Light Grey, Black, Yellow Fluo
- Price: €269.99 / $309.99 / £239.99
Northwave didn’t reinvent winter shoes; they just made one that feels natural to ride in and keeps your feet toasty and dry. The price of the Celsius XT Arctic GTX is a solid $309.00, and that’s well worth it. Especially if you live somewhere, the cold creeps in fast and fierce after mid-October. Highly recommended.
