Review: Giro Empire VR70 Knit Shoe

Now, don't get me wrong, I love a night in spent knitting and watching Matlock as much as anyone, but why the knit construction for a mountain bike shoe? The idea, according to Giro, is that the knit Xnetic material is more pliable and conforming to a rider's feet than the usual way of manufacturing a shoe, and it's also said to result in less waste material during construction.

The open weave uppers should both breathe well and dry quickly, too, and the admittedly odd-looking, gaiter-esque stretchy cuff will keep trail debris out of the shoe. It's also worth noting that knit shoe construction isn't a fresh idea - it's been used for other sports in the past, but this is the first time for a cycling shoe.




The knitted upper is bonded to an exoskeleton of sorts made from a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that, at least to my eyes, gives them a look that's one-half futuristic and one-half retro. The laces, which run through the TPU exoskeleton, obviously contribute to the latter, and I suspect that while their appearance is certainly odd, it's Giro's decision to run laces over a strap and buckle system that's most polarizing.

In theory, laces look like they offer more opportunity to tweak how a shoe fits, but I suspect that the more traditional closure on these shoes was chosen because it works with the rest of the Empire VR70 Knit's construction.




The sole is carbon fiber, and Vibram rubber has been laid down over top to keep you upright when you need to scramble up or down something sketchy. There are rubber guards at the toe and heel, too, and a pull-strap at the heel means you shouldn't need a shoehorn to get them on when you go for a ride after Matlock is done.





Performance

First thing first: Are they comfortable? I've been rocking a set of high-volume Giro shoes for awhile now that are definitely better suited to my relatively wide-ish feet, and they're also wider than these knit kicks, but I found the Empire VR70 Knits to be comfy regardless. That means that anyone with non-freaky wide feet should also find the Empire VR70 Knits good to go, and that's especially true if the temps where you live get high enough to have you looking for shade during a ride - these things breath very, very well. In fact, there were times when I could actually feel the air passing through them when on a speedy section of singletrack.

So, great summer shoes, but maybe not the best come wintertime unless you're down with Wim Hof. I am not, so I'll be using something warmer when it's called for.




They're quite light and sporty feeling, too, and while I'd happily race cross-country in them every weekend, their EC70 carbon outsole doesn't feel quite as flex-free as Giro's EC90 soles or some other sporty shoes. They're still quite rigid, though, but just a hair more forgiving than an all-out race shoe. That slight amount of flex should also make them a bit more comfortable when you're off the bike, but I didn't really find that to be the case; they're not made for walking, and I did get some heel lift when (and only when) I was forced onto my feet.

That said, if I'm wearing $250 USD racy knit shoes, you better believe that I'm going to do my damnedest to not walk anything other than into the post-ride burrito establishment.


But man, are these things comfy. No shoe should cause hot spots, and these didn't either, but the fit feels soft and all-encompassing, like someone with really kind hands is holding your feet and whispering to them in soft tones while you pedal. Maybe not that creepy, but they are cozy as hell. The strange looking elastic cuff kept out debris as well but, more importantly, it also feels invisible.


Pinkbike's Take

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