Polaris have built a great reputation for themselves with their great value weatherproof jackets. But we didn’t expect the company to move into producing shoes, especially ones aimed squarely at road riders.
The Ignition’s upper is made from synthetic leather with vented glossy insert detailing. The main body of the upper’s matt finish is soft – almost suede-like to the touch – and has a supple flexibility. That’s quite different to most road shoes, which nearly always err on the side of stiffness.
The Ignition’s shape is generous – a broad and tall forefoot contrasting with a high and supportive heel cup. This all makes for a seriously comfortable shoe. That said, the flexibility of the upper means those looking for stiff, high-performance race footwear should look elsewhere.
It’s possible to get a good close fit thanks to the three straps, with the ratcheted top strap held on with a looped Velcro fitting. That makes this crucial adjustment area extremely adaptable. It works brilliantly and is very simple to use.
The reinforced nylon sole features fittings for both standard three-bolt road pedals and also two-bolt SPD-style pedals. With big toe bumpers and heels these are easy shoes to walk in too. Like the uppers, the soles aren’t as stiff as those on full-on carbon-soled racing shoes, but we kind of like it that way.
They’re fine for big distance rides, and with the option to run road or mountain bike pedals, these would make an excellent choice for those making their first foray into the clipless world. They’d also make a good choice for the commuter – the look is somewhat understated and they feature a decent amount of Scotchlite reflective detailing on the heel.