Adidas has updated its Road Shoe, swapping laces for a Boa dial for the first time.
The Parley Road Shoe BOA is said to provide “all-day comfort on the bike” by reducing pressure points.
The shoe is made from ocean plastic waste that has been upcycled by Parley, an anti-pollution network.
Like its predecessor, The Road Shoe – Adidas’ first road cycling shoe in 15 years – the revamped version is compatible with three-bolt road cleats and uses a fibreglass-reinforced midsole.
The tweaked model retains the signature three stripes worn by cycling greats from Rudi Altig to Eddy Merckx and Jan Ullrich.
The latter rode a pair of Adidas Vuelta shoes to Tour de France victory in 1997.
The German brand stopped making road cycling shoes in 2005 as doping scandals rocked Ullrich’s Team Telekom, along with the whole sport.
Adidas continued to supply cycling clothing to the likes of Team Sky before stepping back into cycling footwear in 2020.
Switching from laces in favour of a single Boa dial makes the “lightweight, stiff” shoe easy to remove, according to Adidas. The brand has not given weight or claimed stiffness details.
Adidas claims the Parley Road Shoe BOA has a breathable upper and a “sock-like construction for a secure and supportive fit”.
The yarn in the upper is at least 50 per cent Parley Ocean Plastic and 50 per cent recycled polyester, according to Adidas.
The black on black Parley Road Shoe BOA colourway mimics the shoe Merckx wore to win Grand Tours and Monuments, and break the Hour Record.
While not as vivid as the Adidas Gravel Shoe, the second option is green with white highlights, including the three stripes.
The unisex shoe costs £170 / €180 and is available to buy now from Adidas.
