Giro Empire SLX lightweight shoes released

Giro Empire SLX lightweight shoes released

175g road lace-up model now, with MTB version in the works

The new Giro Empire SLX weighs a claimed 175g for a size 42.5

Courtesy

Ben Delaney

Published: July 4, 2014 at 6:28 pm
The new Giro Empire SLX weighs a claimed 175g for a size 42.5 - Courtesy
Giro foregoes large vents for a breathable fabric from Teijin called Evofiber SL - Courtesy
Clearly the most remarkable feature of the Empire line is the laces, which Giro claim to be more aero and more comfortable than other systems - Courtesy
While there are a few shoes lighter than the Empire SLX, such as the Rocket7 Superlite and the Bont Zero , there aren't many - Courtesy
Although Easton is no longer part of the same company as Giro, an Easton EC90 SLXII carbon outsole is used here - Courtesy

Following up on the first modern lace-up shoe, the Empire ACC, Giro released the Empire SLX on the eve of the 2014 Tour de France.

Weighing a claimed 175g in a size 42.5, the Empire SLX has inched closer to the world's lightest road shoes like the Rocket7 Superlite and the Bont Zero+.

Simon Fisher, Giro shoe product manager, has been at Giro since 1992, when he was building helmets under founder Jim Gentes. Fisher was able to shave of weight with a new upper material and very thin Easton carbon soles.

While some companies go with vents for ventilation, Fisher argues that a breathable fabric is more effective at cooling because "as soon as you put your foot in the shoe, you block the vents".

The most remarkable aspect of the Empire, of course, remains the laces.

Clearly the most remarkable feature of the empire line is the laces, which giro claims to be more aero and more comfortable than other systems: clearly the most remarkable feature of the empire line is the laces, which giro claims to be more aero and more comfortable than other systems - Courtesy

While Giro's arguments of lowered weight and improved aerodynamics over straps are plausible enough for most people, skepticism remains about the adjustment and/or comfort of laces. Fisher counters that laces offer more points of contact than most systems, and don't require plastic based like buckles do.

In any event, the Empire SLX has Easton EC90 SLXII carbon outsoles with a 6.5mm stack height and titanium bolts in the replaceable heel pads. As with other Giro shoes, the Empire SLXs will come with SuperNatural Fit insoles, which come with three options of Velcro-attached instep supports.

Retail for the Empire SLX shoes will be $350/€300/￡249.

Ben Delaney

Contributor

Ben Delaney is a journalist with more than two decades of experience writing for and editing some of the biggest publications in cycling. Having studied journalism at the University of New Mexico, Ben has worked for Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, VeloNews and BikeRadar. He has also previously worked as Global Brand Communications Manager for Specialized. Ben covers all things road and gravel, and can be found logging big miles in the Rocky Mountains that nestle alongside his home in Boulder, Colorado. He has covered the most important bike races in the sport, from the Tour de France and Tour of Flanders, to the Unbound gravel race, and specialises in tech content, showcasing what the pros are riding and putting everyday equipment through its paces.
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