Without the carbon soles, replaceable buckles or adjustable-fit inner soles of more expensive models, Giro’s Treble II road shoes sit at the very bottom of the US brand’s range. But make no mistake – despite the low price, they're a classy option.
The basic three hook-and-loop straps may look like a cost-cutting measure – and they are – but recently Giro, Rapha and a handful of other brands have been choosing such a system as a way to reduce weight on pro-level shoes, and in turn, have made the humble Velcro strap popular once again.
The synthetic upper is rather supple and forgiving. Mesh inserts accompanied by perforations help with ventilation. There’s a vent port on the sole at the toes, although the inner sole and liner block most of this.
The width is ‘average’; not too dissimilar to that of Shimano shoes. Cylists with properly broad feet will likely need to look elsewhere.
A scooped out upper leaves plenty of anklebone space and a deep heel cup helps to reduce heel slip, although no grippy materials have been used to aid in this.
The basic inner soles should suit the masses
A comfortable (for us) medium arch ‘Aegis’ anti-microbial foam footbed is provided, but lacks the customizable arch support that’s becoming popular in more expensive options. This is something that can always be bought for the shoe down the track if needed.
The injected nylon outsole is a sign of the price point, but it does what it’s designed to. It’s suitably stiff to avoid hotspots and loss of power, but it won’t stay like this for the shoe’s entire lifetime. Nylon soles do, however, traditionally make for lightweight shoes – and the Treble II’s are no exception, with our EU43 sample weighing in at 569g (including innersoles).
Walking is reasonably comfortable, with a softer plastic heel and toe tread moulded into the outsole, but keep in mind that traction isn’t overly generous.
Road or mountain bike pedals, these shoes can take it
The sole is compatible with both two- and three-bolt cleat systems, ensuring compatibility with every major pedal system on the market. Printed guides on the sole help with setting up your cleat placement too.
Using the shoes with a Shimano three-bolt road cleat proved a minor nuisance, with the spare two-bolt cleat mount rattling inside. We never detected this while riding – but it could be heard at the cafe! Adding a dab of thick grease to the spare mount silenced things.
Given there’s no tread at the forefoot (standard for road shoes), the two-bolt cleat isn’t ideal for long-term use on the road without some form of cleat protector or attached tread. However, indoor spin-classes are an option, as in this environment, you’re unlikely to walk beyond the soft rubber matting.
Beyond the attention-seeking white or fluoro yellow options (black is available too), the Treble II’s unfortunately don’t feature any reflective panels, graphics or tags – a possible dealbreaker if you’re looking to commute or ride in low light.
The Treble II shoes are also available in a women’s specific model, the Giro Sante II. These share many of the same features and construction, just in a ladies fit.