Northwave
Northwave: Italian Craftsmanship
To discover the history of the Italian brand Northwave, we must go back to the 1970s, in the heart of the Montebelluna region, renowned for the presence of many artisans specialised in shoe manufacturing. It was here that Gianni Piva decided to launch his own company in 1971. Initially focused on producing linings for ski boots, the brand quickly turned its attention to manufacturing snow shoes, including snowboard boots. By the mid-1980s, Northwave shoes gained popularity and equipped many snowboarders. The famous Espresso model is still remembered, designed for everyday use while retaining the traditional snowboard boot design. However, Gianni quickly saw other development opportunities for his company; despite the growing snowboard market, he developed his first mountain bike shoes in 1993. The first Northwave shoes for cycling stand out from their competitors with contrasting colours, a small revolution for the time. After a successful international launch, Northwave became a global brand, creating a division in the USA to support sales and strategies on an international scale.
Road or Mountain Bike, There’s a Northwave Product for Your Adventure
If Northwave's reputation is well-established in the world of winter sports, particularly snowboarding, the success of Northwave products in cycling soon followed. In 1996, Paola Pezzo made history by winning the Olympic Games in Atlanta in an epic fashion. The following year, Ivan Gotti showcased the brand's road cycling shoes by winning the Giro d’Italia. Always seeking innovation and diversification, Northwave launched its first collection of cycling clothing in 2000, while Paola Pezzo won her second Olympic gold medal in Sydney. Even more innovative in the 2000s, Northwave secured numerous victories and podiums thanks to its cycling shoes. Events like Milan San-Remo, Paris-Roubaix, and the road cycling world championships saw Northwave shoes achieving success, adopted by the biggest names in cycling. What do they particularly appreciate? The great comfort of the shoes, the optimal fit, and the rigidity of the carbon sole that allows for efficient and powerful pedalling.
Moreover, in 2004, the brand revolutionised the autumn and winter cycling shoe segment by launching the first range of Gore-Tex shoes. This groundbreaking innovation has kept Northwave as a leader in this specific market segment for over 20 years.
Among the various products from the Northwave brand, the following pairs of shoes will be perfect for your cycling outings, whether on the road or on mountain trails:
Lightweight, comfortable, and perfectly adjustable to your foot, these cycling shoes will accompany you for many kilometres, ensuring your utmost comfort and enjoyment.
Find a Wide Range of Northwave Products at Hardloop
At Hardloop, we take pride in providing you with the best advice for preparing your adventures and supplying you with the best equipment available to explore new horizons. That’s why our experts and HardGuides have selected the finest products from the Northwave brand from their extensive range. Whether it’s clothing, shoes, or accessories, you’ll find the gear that will make you happy during your cycling outings. But that’s not all; while visiting our Hardloop site, take the opportunity to discover our other sections dedicated to the world of cycling, including our kids' bike helmets or our women's cycling shoes. Everyone can thus set off on the roads and trails with high-quality equipment tailored to their practice, allowing them to fully enjoy their odyssey.