When a brand like Giro decides to make shoes for the first time, it comes with a lot of expectation. The company invested two years in research, went through 16 versions of the ‘last’ (the unique internal mould) and called on Easton to make the carbon fibre soles.
The Factor is second in the seven-model line-up, below the feathery Prolight SLX (£279.99). Both use Giro’s SuperNatural Fit Kit of interchangeable arch supports.
The Factor gets an Easton EC90 sole in unidirectional carbon fibre (a small step down from the Prolight’s EC90SLX), and pedalling stiffness is up with the very best.
The Teijin microfibre upper is very supple and the closures are offset to avoid pressure points. The ratchet pulls a large section of upper so it really feels like the shoe is shrink-wrapping your foot.
The arch support kit is very effective too, with three easily swapped options for low, normal or high insteps that complete an exceptionally comfortable fit.
Colour options are white or black, with sizes 39 to 48 plus half sizes options.