As all up to date cycling equipment fans know, incremental design or material innovations that reduce weight yet are billed as improving performance simply equates to a bit of sticker shock. As the consumer it is up to you to decide what is best to meet your performance goals, personal aesthetic and budget. Giro has pushed the boundaries of light weight and innovation with their cycling shoes, and has looked at all technologies, materials and systems in the process. Moving back towards lace-fastened shoes was driven by reduction of weight and increasing comfort through fit. Using Easton's super light and super stiff yet thin carbon soles was another great example. The evolution continues with the Prolight Techlace road cycling shoe, as Giro's team has sought new materials, new carbon, and applied them to their expertise and high quality construction practices to create and deliver a 150 gram (size 42.5) shoe with incredible ventilation, power transmitting carbon outsole, comfort fit, and the best of both laces and hook and loop closures.

A shoe is largely built from the outsole up, and to achieve a 22% lighter, yet equally stiff and thin sole, from the Easton SLX II, Giro turned to TeXtreme®, a carbon product that is woven in flat sheets, not fibers. These thin sheets are layered with appropriate consideration to torsional and linear strength, and require much less resin in the lay-up process. The end result is the substantial weight difference without sacrificing the low stack height and incredible stiffness of SLX II.

If possible, the material of the upper may be even more impressive from a technical standpoint. Starting with a Teijin TPU film, Giro welds a customized monofilament fiber reinforced with technical mesh fabric to create an incredibly supple, exotic looking, and highly ventilated upper system. This upper can be formed however the designers choose, with minimal directional and curved support structures that allow the fit to conform around the foot and create the anchor points for the hook and loop lace closure system. The materials are durable, easy to clean, wonderfully strong, and impeccably assembled, creating a striking visual effect that can also be minimal and subtle, especially in the white and black colors, but much bolder in the red model.

The final major component of the Prolight Techlace is the techlace itself. Giro is sold on laces offering better fit, more comfort, and reduced weight, but laces alone do lack the capacity for a quick adjustment on the fly. By adding a lightweight composite lace pull to the system, with a hook and loop closure system, you can set your laces how you prefer them, and still have the ability to tighten or loosen in the somewhat traditional three placements found on many cycling shoes. Without any heavy reinforcements required and the general light weight of hook and loop, the Techlace offers the best of each component to create a very functional closure system. The laces can be easily replaced if damaged or you desire a color change. Giro provides instructions, and the process is intuitive for most people.

With the essential technologies covered, we can discuss the ethos that Giro builds around and the details of the standard required features. Giro has developed their perforated last and footbed as a system within the shoe. The shape is anatomic and the sizing system is pretty accurate for most people. We find that width is less generous than some shoe company's have moved toward. Think Sidi, not Shimano as a comparison. The good news is with the fantastic upper, you do get some more general width to work with, but be aware of how your foot matches the width of the outsole. If your foot is too wide, then you can find pressure points that aren't forgiving. The great news for most people is that the proven Prolight footbed features the SuperNatural Fit Kit with adjustable arch support. This lightweight, yet wonderfully supportive footbed design allows you to set-up the shoe with three different arch inserts to find the best match for the anatomic requirements of your foot. While not a truly customizable insole, the design has drawn widespread acclaim and we know of many cyclists who have bypassed their custom orthotics for the Prolight SuperNatural Fit Kit. The X-Static® top sheet keeps your feet fresh from it's anti-microbial fibers.

The Prolight Techlace TeXtreme carbon outsole is set-up with a fixed position 3-hole Delta-style cleat mounting system. It seems Giro has moved this back towards the heel slightly. Most pedal/cleat systems offer adjustment at the cleat, but if you are someone who requires more, please carefully measure and assess before you mount cleats and ride to ensure you can achieve your proper cleat position. The sole also carries bonded heel and toe tabs that are super durable yet allow you some grip and safety when walking or touching down at an intersection. Giro provides a set of titanium cleat mounting screws to keep assembly lightweight. Take care to use the proper length bolts if you use your own.

Only you can decide if the shoe, the fit, the price, the feel all work for you. But that is the same for any cycling shoe. If you seek the lightest weight, incredible ventilation, low stack height with super stiff sole and power transfer at any price, the Prolight Techlace just may be your new cycling shoe. We are impressed with the build quality, the application of edge-pushing technology and design, and yes, the light weight. In our business we feel that with the right companies, you tend to get what you pay for, and with the Giro Prolight Techlace you get quite a lot, weighing less, and improving your overall cycling experience.