Northwave breaks into the flat shoes market, changing the game with an innovative flat-specific sole system made in collaboration with Michelin, and two stylish and classy models.
You can be content with being one of many or crave to stand out. You can stay in the wake or call for your trajectories. When Northwave faces a new challenge, it does it in its own way.
Northwave breaks into the flat shoes market and does it by introducing the first ever flat-specific sole system, and two brand-new models into its 2019 collection: Clan and Tribe. According with the current trend in the cycling world, Northwave has further extended its offer to cover a constantly growing branch, winking at the freeride and gravity disciplines as well as e-Bikers.

MORE THAN A SOLE: THE FIRST FLAT-SPECIFIC SOLE SYSTEM
Feet anchored to the pedals with no clips – it’s easier said than done. When developing a flat shoe, there are three boxes to tick: grip, traction and durability. And reality is, a single element will never do it all: you need a system, multiple elements that work together to provide total control on pedals. That’s what Northwave did.
First of all, two years of research and testing were needed to come up with Gecko+, the stickiest compound on the market, co-developed by Northwave and Michelin Technical Soles. An integrated rubber arch support ensures enhanced stability on the pedals and increased impact protection.
The real difference is inside the sole, where an adaptive TPU shank with calibrated stiffness ensures greater control,support, and stress response. The lengthwise openings along the medial zone and heel contain flexion and control torsion for perfect connectivity with the pedals. The horizontal wedge openings on the toe enable the flexion of the foot to be controlled on and off the bike. An EVA midsole minimizes weight, while ensuring effective shock absorption.

NORTHWAVE CLAN, GRIP ON YOUR RIDE
The exclusive Northwave’s Flat Specific Sole System makes it debut on Clan, the most performing flat model launched by the Italian company in 2018. Thanks to this innovation, Clan provides an unprecedented extent of control on pedals, in spite of the lack of clips.
Clan was built to perform, and to be enjoyed flat out: that’s why Northwave realized abrasion-resistant welded upper, with large breathable mesh inserts to face even the hottest days and placed welded TPU reinforcements on the toe and heel for impact protection. The mesh tongue with customized padding combines protection and breathability, whilst the closure can be adjusted through non-stretch laces, easily stowed in the elasticated keeper.
The Gravity FPS outsole, co-developed by Northwave and Michelin Technical Soles, is realized with the exclusive Gecko+ compound for extreme stickiness and grip, keeping adherence on wet and slippery surfaces while still ensuring good durability. The tread design, inspired to Michelin’s Jet XCR tire, succeeds in providing maximum grip on pedals, with an extensive flat area wit specific cuts, and control on different terrains, thanks to the strong sculptures on the tip – for progressive traction – and heel area – for braking and durability.

NORTHWAVE TRIBE, WHERE TECHNIQUE AND URBAN TOUCH MEET
Tribe is the other flat model launched by Northwave in the 2019 season. While proving less performance-oriented than its big “sister”, even a first look suggests that Tribe winks to passionate riders as well as those who are maybe less technical, but certainly attentive to the stylish and fashionable side of cycling. With their sleek and understated look, Tribe provide everything a rider needs on a breathtaking trail, and still got that urban touch that makes them a fit also for the downtown happy hour at the end of the day.
The suede upper with large mesh inserts makes the shoes light and breathable, whilst protection is ensured by the reinforcements with abrasion-resistant rubber prints on the toe and heel and a reinforced toecap, as well as the mesh tongue with customized padding. The non-stretch laces are easily stowed in the elasticated keeper.
The Gravity outsole, co-developed by Northwave and Michelin Technical Soles, features the Gecko compound, and is also derived by Michelin’s Jet XCR tire. The sole’s tread is meant to deliver stability – with the reinforced shoulders -,flexibility and adherence in the medial part, and control in the tip and heel area, with deeper sculptures for traction and braking power.

INFO: Michelin Technical soles