An expensive option to eliminate overshoes: Fizik Tempo Artica R5 GTX Road Shoes review

As winter approaches, our cycling kit gets longer and the lycra becomes thicker as we search for ways to keep warm. There have been many great innovations and collaborations to bring about the extra watts brought on by beating the cold. GORE-TEX has excelled at putting its name to cycling gear to bring waterproofing and warmth. How well do the Fizik Tempo Artica R5 GTX Road Shoes live up to the modern standards?

Fizik has teamed with GORE-TEX to wrap the Tempo Artica R5 GTX Road shoes to ensure they’re waterproof and warm, eliminating the need for overshoes and keeping you riding through the winter. The GORE-TEX Koala membrane provides waterproof protection, stopping water at the surface but with billions of tiny pores allowing moisture molecules and sweat vapour to escape.

A high cuff above the ankle made from ripstop nylon aids warmth, and a brushed fleece lining is like slipping on your favourite slippers and sitting by the fireside. A single Boa dial adjusts tightness over the top of the foot while a secure Velcro strap tightens at the cuff.

Overall, a comfortable, warm winter shoe could fast replace faffing around, putting on overshoes and keep you riding outdoors and not succumbing to the turbo trainer.

Verdict: An expensive option to eliminate overshoes, they’re good, but they’re not quite perfect

What’s good?

From the first moment you put these on, its be like slipping on a warm, comfortable hug for your feet. The brushed fleece around your lower ankle is so cosy. The nylon upper doesn’t rub at your upper ankle as much as it snugs up to it and completes the embrace with the Velcro strap.

GORE-TEX has worked some voodoo on these as you’d think the airholes, which give wonderful breathability, seem to stop any water ingress thanks to the Koala Membrane brought by GORE-TEX. You’re feet don’t just get hot and sweaty in these, though water vapour is allowed to escape.

It’s not just about waterproofing, however. Fizik brings a secure and responsive fit to these shoes, with a strong and sturdy heel cup and a toe box which is snug. A super stiff, firm sole makes you feel that every single bit of power from your legs translates to the pedals. Grips on the toe and heel offer something for if you’re walking on a wet, slippy surface.

What’s okay?

While the fit around the foot is good and comfortable, the single Boa dial doesn’t offer much. While it will pull the cables tight at the top of the foot, around the toes, it’s not so tight – you have to pull the wires around the toe box and tighten the dial to get the proper tightness. While this is a nice workaround, having a second dial further down would be better.

With the price to one side, that is the only niggle I have with the actual shoe itself. At £250, they’re not cheap shoes and when you consider they’re only suitable for late Autumn, Winter and maybe early Spring. After that, even with all their breathability capabilities, they’ll be too warm for your feet. They could be perfect for you if you can afford that on a shoe that you’ll keep in storage for three seasons.

Any negatives?

If I had to nitpick for a negative, it would be their width. They’re slightly bulky, weighing 434g per shoe (with Speedplay cleats) in a UK 9.5.

More items to consider

How the product was tested

I took these shoes on different bike rides in different conditions, heavy rain, cold but dry and cold with wet roads. They were also tested with Speedplay cleats and pedals and Shimano SPD/SL cleats and pedals for comfort and stiffness testing.

Myles is a Commercial Content Writer for What's The Best, Parkers and CAR. His areas of expertise include cycling, fitness tech and hot hatches.

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