Shortly after Nike broke through with their FlyKnit uppers, the knit-shoe craze exploded. And with good reason: knit uppers stretch, leading to greater comfort for both running and casual streetwear.
MORE: Giant Unleashes New Disc Brake-Equipped Aero Bikes for 2018
Read article
But cycling shoes? They’ve gotten more, rather than less, restrictive over the years, trading in comfort for rigidity in the ruthless, often painful pursuit of energy transfer. Sure, cycling shoes keep getting lighter, but if you put in a bunch of commuting and training hours a week, you’ve known foot pain. Basically, cycling footwear is about as kind to your dogs as ballerina slippers or alpine ski boots — that is, not friendly at all. Giro wants to change that wth their new Xnetic line, the entirety of which comes equipped with exceptionally breathable knit uppers that will suit all sorts of riders. There are three shoes in the line, one each for road, dirt and commuting.
ALSO: No Road, No Problem: The Best Gravel Bikes for Off-Roading
Read article
The path to the Xnetic line started few years back, with Giro’s retro-style lace-up models, the Republic LX and Empire SLX. Laces, it turns out, have more give and variability than the now-standard ratchet straps. Old-fangled tech has advantages.Those laces remain, with lace locks to prevent catching in your bike’s drivetrain. If you tried some of those early Nikes, you no doubt noticed that it’s possible to have too much upper flexibility. Giro obviously recognized this issue and sought a happy medium —adding a thermoplastic frame over the knit construction that should aid motion control.
The three models start at $140 with the Republic R Knit, designed for commuters, with reflective laces, a more walkable rubber-and-nylon outsole, and two-bolt cleat mounting ideal for using mountain-bike style pedals or wider flat pedals with recessed cleats. The road-focused Empire E70 Knit, $200, gets a stiffer carbon outsole. The oddest, and maybe coolest version is the $250 Empire VR70, with a socklike knit upper that continues over the ankle to prevent grit penetration, a rubberized guardrail framing the carbon fiber outsole-upper junction, and visible exoskeleton on the upper. These also get a grippy, trail-worthy Vibram rubber outsole. All Xnetic shoes will be on sale by October. More: www.giro.com
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Shortly after Nike broke through with their FlyKnit uppers, the knit-shoe craze exploded. And with good reason: knit uppers stretch, leading to greater comfort for both running and casual streetwear.
MORE: Giant Unleashes New Disc Brake-Equipped Aero Bikes for 2018
Read article
But cycling shoes? They’ve gotten more, rather than less, restrictive over the years, trading in comfort for rigidity in the ruthless, often painful pursuit of energy transfer. Sure, cycling shoes keep getting lighter, but if you put in a bunch of commuting and training hours a week, you’ve known foot pain. Basically, cycling footwear is about as kind to your dogs as ballerina slippers or alpine ski boots — that is, not friendly at all.
MORE: Giant Unleashes New Disc Brake-Equipped Aero Bikes for 2018
Read article
MORE: Giant Unleashes New Disc Brake-Equipped Aero Bikes for 2018
Giro wants to change that wth their new Xnetic line, the entirety of which comes equipped with exceptionally breathable knit uppers that will suit all sorts of riders. There are three shoes in the line, one each for road, dirt and commuting.
ALSO: No Road, No Problem: The Best Gravel Bikes for Off-Roading
Read article
The path to the Xnetic line started few years back, with Giro’s retro-style lace-up models, the Republic LX and Empire SLX. Laces, it turns out, have more give and variability than the now-standard ratchet straps. Old-fangled tech has advantages.Those laces remain, with lace locks to prevent catching in your bike’s drivetrain.
ALSO: No Road, No Problem: The Best Gravel Bikes for Off-Roading
Read article
ALSO: No Road, No Problem: The Best Gravel Bikes for Off-Roading
If you tried some of those early Nikes, you no doubt noticed that it’s possible to have too much upper flexibility. Giro obviously recognized this issue and sought a happy medium —adding a thermoplastic frame over the knit construction that should aid motion control.
The three models start at $140 with the Republic R Knit, designed for commuters, with reflective laces, a more walkable rubber-and-nylon outsole, and two-bolt cleat mounting ideal for using mountain-bike style pedals or wider flat pedals with recessed cleats. The road-focused Empire E70 Knit, $200, gets a stiffer carbon outsole.
The oddest, and maybe coolest version is the $250 Empire VR70, with a socklike knit upper that continues over the ankle to prevent grit penetration, a rubberized guardrail framing the carbon fiber outsole-upper junction, and visible exoskeleton on the upper. These also get a grippy, trail-worthy Vibram rubber outsole.
All Xnetic shoes will be on sale by October. More: www.giro.com
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
More News
2023 Range Rover Sport Is the Ultimate Crossover Flex
Surly Releases Preamble: New All-steel 'Pavement Bike'
Enjoy Gorgeous Picture With This LG CineBeam Portable Projector
Kick Back With The RENPHO Foot Massager During Downtime
Keep Your Food Fresh With This Food Storage Containers Set
Fix Home Problems Yourself With This Cartman 148Piece Tool Set
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Surly Releases Preamble: New All-steel 'Pavement Bike'
Enjoy Gorgeous Picture With This LG CineBeam Portable Projector
Kick Back With The RENPHO Foot Massager During Downtime
Keep Your Food Fresh With This Food Storage Containers Set
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Kick Back With The RENPHO Foot Massager During Downtime
Keep Your Food Fresh With This Food Storage Containers Set
Fix Home Problems Yourself With This Cartman 148Piece Tool Set
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The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
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