Often overlooked, cycling shoes are quite easily the single most important piece of kit after the helmet — after all, they represent one of only three contact areas your body has with the bike.
Giro quietly entered the shoe market in 2010 with a four-pronged product line-up comprising the Prolight SLX, Factor, Trans and Espada (women-specific). Giro’s strategy, based around lightweight materials, dynamic designs and affordability, helped it secure a significant slice of the market in a very short space of time.
Nine years later, Giro is now a major force in the cycling shoe market thanks to Eric Horton, Giro’s creative director, who has single-handedly ensured every model range since 2010 is lighter, stiffer and more stylish than before. The company also still uses the original Prolight and Trans monikers in the current line-up, which further bolsters its heritage and status as a reputable brand.
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Over the years, Giro has experimented in-depth with various shoe fastening systems, as it’s one of the easiest ways to reduce weight. These systems have included everything from laces and Velcro-straps to ratchet buckles and the Techlace (lace/velcro system). Only recently has the Boa fit system been adopted on certain models, which started in 2016 with the Factor Techlace.
For 2019, Giro has taken things up a level or two with its all-new halo model — the Giro Imperial, a dual Boa, lightweight masterpiece aimed at the purist.
What to look for in a road shoe
The cycling shoe has come a long way since the early years where heavy, leather lace-ups were the order of the day. Nowadays, there is a vast range of products constructed from a variety of materials that meet the needs of even the most ardent cycling aficionados. Carbon soles are of course a high priority for most riders but many forget that fit and comfort are just as import as stiffness index. While sizing discrepancies between brands can pose an issue, the following three factors should be taken into account before making a decision: the stiffness of the sole, the fastening system and weight — each of which will have a significant bearing on price, performance and comfort.
Giro cycling shoes fastening systems explained
1. Boa
2. Techlace
3. Lace
4. Velcro
5. Ratchet
Giro road shoes you can buy today
1. Giro Imperial
- Price: Starting at US$425/ £374/ AU$712
- Weight: 215g, (size 42.5)
- Outsole: Carbon, Easton EC90 SLX
- Fastening: Twin Boa
- Colours: 3
2. Giro Empire SLX
- Price: Starting at US$350/ £289/ AU$399
- Weight: 175g, (size 42.5)
- Outsole: Carbon, Easton EC90 SLX
- Fastening: Laces
- Colours: 11 (SLX, ACC, Knit)
3. Giro Prolight Techlace
- Price: Starting at US$400/ £349/ AU$549
- Weight: 160g, (size 42.5)
- Outsole: Carbon, TeXtreme
- Fastening: Techlace
- Colours: 3
4. Giro Factor Techlace
- Price: Starting at US$350/ £299/ AU$449
- Weight: 210g, (size 42.5)
- Outsole: Carbon, Easton EC90 SLX
- Fastening: Boa/Techlace
- Colours: 3
5. Giro Sentrie Techlace
- Price: Starting at US$250/ £219/ AU$299
- Weight: 245g, (size 42.5)
- Outsole: Carbon, Easton EC70
- Fastening: Boa/Techlace
- Colours: 3
6. Giro Trans Boa
- Price: Starting at US$200/ £179/ AU$279
- Weight: 265g, (size 42.5)
- Outsole: Carbon, Easton EC70
- Fastening: Boa/Velcro strap
- Colours: 3
7. Giro Savix
- Price: Starting at US$140/ £114/ AU$218
- Weight: 310g, (size 42.5)
- Outsole: Nylon
- Fastening: Boa/Velcro strap
- Colours: 4
8. Giro Apeckx
- Price: Starting at US$120/ £109/ AU$208
- Weight: 275g, (size 42.5)
- Outsole: Nylon
- Fastening: Ratchet/Velcro strap
- Colours: 2
9. Giro Techne
- Price: Starting at US$90/ £89/ AU$149
- Weight: 279g, (size 42.5)
- Outsole: Nylon
- Fastening: Velcro straps
- Colours: 3
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/best-giro-road-cycling-shoes-2019
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