The team at Giro has apparently been quite busy, as they showcased 8 new and updated shoes at their Sea Otter booth this year. Three road-specific models replace the outgoing low to mid-range models, while five new off-road shoes cover everything from gravel to trail.
With these new and updated shoes, Giro hopes to maintain a consistent design language across the road and off-road shoe lineups, while providing options to suit a wide range of budgets and performance demands. Let’s take a look.
New Giro Trail Shoes
Off-road cycling spans many disciplines, and Giro covers everything from gravel to downhill mountain biking. The brand updated its most gravity-oriented shoe, the lace-up Chamber III (middle), last year. Now, Giro is providing more options for trail and all-around riders with the addition of the all-new Chamber Trail (left), while the new Empire TR (right) adds a less expensive, casual-looking, clip-in all-arounder model to the mix.
Chamber Trail: $220
The shoe I was the most excited about was the all-new Chamber Trail. I saw some of the test versions of this shoe earlier in the week and was stoked to check out the finished product. This new model slots in alongside Giro’s gravity-oriented MTB shoe, the Chamber III, as a lighter, ventilated, and more streamlined option made for trail and all-mountain riding. According to Giro, it “builds on the DH-proven power transfer of the Chamber, while reimagining a performance-driven upper that maximizes breathability, enhances pedal-feel, and saves weight.”
Compared to the Chamber III, the microfiber upper of the trail version is slimmed down throughout and has large mesh ventilation panels on both sides of the mid-foot. Giro also added a stretchy knit ankle cuff to help keep debris out of your shoes, with a single BOA Li2 dial to add tension over the foot. Other than the cleat mount area, the sole is covered in Giro’s Sensor rubber with its Gamma tread pattern.
The Chamber Trail is a unisex shoe that comes in whole EU sizes 36 to 48, with half sizes from 42.5 to 45.5. It is currently available in black or dark sage.
Empire TR: $170
For riders seeking a casual-looking, lace-up clipless mountain bike shoe for all-around riding, Giro made the all-new Empire TR. These shoes feature the same Sensor rubber outsole as the Chamber III and Chamber Trail, but with a slightly softer flexing sole. The one-piece synthetic leather upper and classic lace-up closure give them some timeless appeal.
The Empire TR is a unisex shoe that comes in black only and whole EU sizes 36 to 48.
New Giro XC and Gravel Shoes
Three of Giro’s new off-road shoes closely resemble the three road shoes described below in both looks and naming. The new Stylus XC, Cadet XC, and Regime XC shoes are geared more toward cross-country and/or gravel riding, with off-road features like walkable rubber outsoles and reinforced toe bumpers. Otherwise look nearly identical to their road counterparts of the same names. They all slot in well below the range-topping Gritter ($425) and Empire XC ($375) models.
Stylus XC: $125
The Stylus XC looks just like the Stylus II road shoe with a one-piece upper and a classic, lace-up design. Actually, it looks a lot like the $375 Empire XC shoe, too, but costs $250 less. Its tubular laces secure the synthetic upper over the foot, atop an injection-molded nylon and glass fiber sole, and a co-molded rubber outsole for off-the-bike traction and walkability.
The Stylus XC is a unisex shoe that comes in whole EU sizes 36 to 48. It’s currently offered in solid black, white, and dark sage.
Cadet XC: $175
The new Cadet XC bumps up to a single L6 BOA dial closure, while maintaining the same aesthetic with a one-piece upper and solid colors. Like the road version, the Cadet XC adds performance with a slightly stiffer injection-molded nylon and fiberglass sole, but with the added traction of a co-molded rubber outsole for grip and durability.
Like the Stylus XC, the Cadet XC comes in solid black, white, and dark sage, and in whole EU sizes 36 to 48.
Regime XC: $250
The Regime XC essentially takes the Regime II road shoe and adds a reinforced toe bumper and dual-injection rubber outsole for off-the-bike grip and durability. Otherwise, its got the same TPU-reinforced upper, dual BOA L6 overmolded dial closure, and stiff, carbon-composite sole that should provide efficient pedaling performance on gravel and XC rides.
The Regime XC comes in solid black, white, and dark sage. These unisex shoes come in whole EU sizes between 43 and 48, with half sizes available from 42.5 to 45.5.
New Giro Road Shoes
It was a little over a month ago that we reported on the new Imperial AS, a top-of-the-line road shoe with some built-in weather resistance. At $450, the Imperial AS slotted in alongside the heavily ventilated Imperial II ($450) and the Imperial SLX II ($400) at the top of the brand’s lineup. At the same time, Giro’s more affordable road shoes, the Cadet, Stylus, and Regime, were showing their age and were due for an update.
And that’s exactly what Giro had on display at Sea Otter: updated versions of its low to mid-priced road shoes, which have been brought closer in line with the aesthetics of their higher-end siblings. Now known as the Stylus II, Cadet II, and the Regime II, these new shoes are affordable, lightweight, and look great, too.
Giro Stylus II: $125
The new Stylus II is Giro’s entry-level road shoe with classic styling and a lace closure that looks anything but budget. They’ve got a one-piece synthetic leather upper, tubular laces for a customized fit and all-day comfort, and laser cut perforations for ventilation. The injection-molded nylon and glass-fiber sole provides support and rigidity for efficient pedaling, with both 3-bolt and 2-bolt mounting options for compatibility with nearly all clipless pedals.
The Stylus II is a unisex model that’s offered in whole EU sizes from 36 to 48. They come in solid white, black, and sky blue.
Giro Cadet II: $175
The Cadet II is an updated version of Giro’s popular budget-friendly Cadet road shoe. While it maintains a similar appearance to the Stylus II, it steps up to a single L6 dial BOA closure to secure the one-piece synthetic upper over the foot. Laser cut perforations in the upper and tongue aim to provide ventilation, while the injected nylon and fiberglass sole provides a slightly stiffer pedaling platform with a standard 3-bolt road cleat interface.
The Cadet II is a unisex road cycling shoe available in whole EU sizes from 36 to 48. Just like the Stylus II, the Cadet II comes in solid white, black, and sky blue.
Giro Regime II: $250
Stepping up a performance and price tier, the Regime II is an updated version of Giro’s mid-range Regime shoe. It boasts significantly modernized looks, a sleek, TPU-bonded upper, and a fit built on the same last as the high-end Imperial II shoe. Dual BOA L6 dials provide a precise fit, while the injection-molded carbon-composite sole offers rigidity and efficiency closer to that of the top-tier Imperial models.
The Regime II is a unisex model that’s available in solid white, black, and sky blue. It comes in whole EU sizes 36 to 48, plus half sizes from 42.5 to 45.5.
Availability
All of the new Giro shoes on display at Sea Otter are already available. You can find them on the Giro website, your local Giro dealer, or your favorite online retailer.
giro.com
