Hot or Not? Northwave Celsius XT Arctic GTX Winter Shoes on Review

On paper, the Northwave Celsius XT Arctic GTX tick all the boxes for winter riding, with PrimaLoft insulation and a GORE-TEX membrane promising to keep your feet warm and dry through the coldest, wettest months of the year. But do they actually live up to Northwave’s bold claims? We put them through their paces in mud, rain and freezing conditions to find out whether they really deserve their “Arctic” title.

When your breath turns to mist the second you step outside, and you want nothing more than a mug of hot chocolate on the sofa, knowing you have the right kit can make all the difference to your motivation. The Northwave Celsius XT Arctic GTX sets out to be your go-to winter companion for off-road adventures, keeping your toes toasty and dry, whether you’re grinding over frozen gravel or slogging through waterlogged trails.

Northwave’s roots lie at the foot of the Italian Alps, where bitter cold and warm feet go hand in hand – whether you’re clipped into pedals or strapped into a snowboard. That Alpine heritage shows, and keeping your toes cosy is clearly one of the brand’s core strengths. True to their Italian origin, the design of the Celsius XT Arctic GTX is rather striking – though not necessarily in the way you’d expect.

Our test model came in a light grey finish that feels more high-fashion than hardcore gravel, looking more like something from a futuristic Balenciaga collection than your typical cycling shoe. It’s an unusual choice for winter footwear, but strangely fitting for those dull, grey winter days. That said, we couldn’t help but wonder how long the sleek finish would stay looking fresh once faced with muddy trails and road spray.

One of the shoe’s standout design features is the almost-invisible neoprene gaiter, which blends seamlessly into the upper. It looks slick, and it adds an extra layer of warmth, but we had our doubts: will it really stop water from trickling in when the rain starts running down your legs?

The shoe itself has a fairly narrow fit, so riders with wide feet may struggle to get comfortable. If your feet fit, you’ll appreciate the clever tongue design, which extends over the (deep breath) metatarsophalangeal joint. In plain English, that’s the joint where your toes meet the ball of your foot. By covering this area, the Arctic GTX provides a secure and supportive fit, keeping your foot firmly in place without creating pressure points.

On Test: What Can the Northwave Celsius XT Arctic GTX Really Do?

For this test, we didn’t hold back – we dove headfirst into the mud. We pushed the Arctic GTX through trails that felt more like brown waterslides than singletrack, and played puddle roulette on potholed gravel roads. Add to that a treacherous layer of wet autumn leaves, and relentless rain hammering down from above while icy spray attacked from below, and you’ve got the perfect storm to see what these winter boots are really made of.

In real-world use, it quickly becomes clear that the futuristic look of the Arctic GTX isn’t just for show – there’s serious function behind the form. While the snug neoprene gaiter and overall tight fit take a bit of patience to get on, helpful pull tabs and a smooth-running zip make the process much easier. Once you’re in, the gaiter wraps comfortably around the ankle, creating a secure and cosy seal.

Northwave have also added a stretch fabric panel to the tongue over the instep, which noticeably relieves pressure on the tendons – a common issue with many winter boot designs. Even with the boot tightened down, there’s no pinching or discomfort. The closure system is Northwave’s own X-Dial system, which uses a single dial to deliver even, reliable pressure across the foot. It’s clearly aimed at long-distance comfort rather than all-out race aggression. If you’re after a vice-like hold for explosive sprints, you might want a few extra clicks of tension, but for big winter miles and backcountry detours, it’s spot on.

The sole follows the same philosophy. This isn’t a rock-hard carbon plate, but a more forgiving platform, with just enough flex to make walking comfortable. That might not win over the pure-bred racers, but for gravel riders and trail explorers, it’s a blessing. On muddy hike-a-bike sections or slippery roots where you have to dismount, that bit of flex makes walking much easier, and far less sketchy.

The real heart of any winter boot is its protection against the cold, and here Northwave rely on the specialists at PrimaLoft. The lining feels cosy, and delivers excellent insulation. This warmth is backed up by a GORE-TEX membrane, which stayed completely waterproof throughout our wettest test rides. What impressed us most, though, was the temperature regulation. Winter boots often swing between being too cold, or turning into a sauna the moment the sun comes out, or the climb ramps up. The Celsius XT Arctic GTX strikes a good balance between the two.

A smart touch for durability is the rubber reinforcement where the neoprene upper meets the sole. It protects this delicate area from crank rub, undergrowth and the odd slip off the pedal, without showing wear. And because winter also means riding in the dark, Northwave have added reflective and fluorescent details to make the shoe more visible at dusk or in headlights.

Who are the Northwave Celsius XT Arctic GTX Winter Shoes For?

The Northwave Celsius XT Arctic GTX isn’t a fair-weather shoe, nor is it a race boot where every watt lost to sole flex could make the difference between victory and defeat. It’s built for riders who go looking for adventure even in the depths of winter. The combination of the protective, snug gaiter, the weatherproof GORE-TEX membrane and the excellent PrimaLoft insulation creates a worry-free package for cold days.

The sole is particularly convincing off-road. It’s stiff enough for decent power transfer, yet flexible enough to let you walk almost normally when the terrain gets tricky. That makes it an ideal adventure shoe, one that prioritises comfort, warmth and versatility over pure racing performance. If you’re after winter shoes for the road, you might want to take a closer look at the Fizik Tempo R5 Artica GTX.

Conclusion: Would We Buy the Northwave Celsius XT Arctic GTX Winter Shoes?

Yes, we’d go for them. The shoes deliver on their promise of warm, dry feet, and the soft, flexible uppers deliver slipper-like comfort, as long as you don’t have wide feet. Once you’ve tried it a couple of times, getting in and out of the snug gaiter is quick and easy too. We would, however, pick a different colour. The light grey looks classy when it’s clean, but it feels almost too good for muddy winter rides, and takes a lot of cleaning to keep it looking fresh.

For more Information, visit northwave.com

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Words: Christoph Staudinger Photos: Jan Fock