Giro's Trans Road Shoes offer phenomenal all-day comfort with a carbon sole and stylish design. These are so versatile, they'll appeal to beginners and racers alike.
The Trans is a very impressive shoe indeed. Within the modern design, features of the more expensive Factor shoes can be found. The upper is made of microfibre, which moulds around the mid-foot and heel; the lack of breaking in that these shoes need is astonishing – they really are super-comfy from mile one.
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The shiny texture also helps to ward off muck, with dirt simply running off, or just needing a wipe clean. The mesh is slightly more challenging to keep clean but works very well to keep your feet cool and eliminate hot-spots; it also seems very hardwearing.
Sole mates
The soles are Easton EC70, which seems to offer the perfect balance of stiffness and comfort, with the carbon composite that Easton uses cancelling out the majority of road buzz. That's not to say that these soles flex – they stayed perfectly rigid even on steep uphill sprints.
The sole has a fairly low stack height at 6.5mm, placing your foot very close to the pedal axle. At the front is a single ventilation hole, aligned with the perforations in the footbed for excellent air flow.
Giro sends each pair with its fantastic SuperNatural Fit System footbed and three different inserts to adjust arch support. The footbed is also fastened down with Velcro to prevent the Aegis anti-microbial treated surface from wearing.
Clamp down
Securing you into the shoe are two Velcro straps and a very nicely designed buckle and ratchet system. The nifty design of the upper strap gives excellent tension adjustability across a sensitive area. The upper ratchet is operable with just the thumb and index finger, meaning on-the-fly alterations are quick and easy.
The tongue is very well padded and just the right length to avoid any discomfort, with perforations for breathability.
> Check out our guide to the best performance cycling shoes
Giro has designed the toe box to be quite spacious, with your toes free to move around, helping to prevent any cramp. While this does mean you can feel a hint of power loss in town-sign sprints and the like, it is more than compensated for in my opinion by the shoes' comfort and breathability. Of course, all feet are different, and pulling the toe strap tight will eliminate this almost completely.
Verdict
Top-quality shoes that do their job so quietly, you forget you're wearing them
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Giro Trans Road Cycling Shoes
Size tested: Size 42
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
These shoes seem to be aimed at the recreational rider. Giro states that it wants to "redefine performance at this price". While £159.99 is quite a bit to spend on shoes, the comfort coupled with the stiffness of the soles is unmatched in any other shoe I've worn.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
The interchangeable arch supports mean you can tailor the fit to your feet. There are also ventilation ports and perforations everywhere.
The mesh seems very hardwearing.
The changeable arch supports mean that aftermarket insoles or wedges aren't needed.
They are a little heavy compared with racing slippers but these are aimed at comfort so it's not bad.
I'd say £159.99 is pretty good value for these shoes. Shopping around can bring them under £100, and at that price, they're a steal.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
I got rained on during my first ride in these and then many times after that! The mesh that usually goes grey cleaned up very easily and the uppers just need a wipe.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Performed extremely well.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The comfort is unrivalled. For long days on the pedals, I wouldn't choose anything else.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The toe box is a little wide, meaning I had to pull the strap tight for sprints.
Did you enjoy using the product? I barely noticed I was wearing them. Perfect.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your score
For an all-day comfort shoe, these are exceptional. The sole is very stiff but doesn't transmit road buzz, and the uppers clean up very easily.
About the tester
Age: 22
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Novice
I regularly do the following types of riding:
Son of a Marathon runner, Nephew of a National 24hr Champion, the racing genetics have completely passed him by. After joining the road.cc staff in 2016 as a reviewer, Liam quickly started writing feature articles and news pieces. After a little time living in Canada, where he spent most of his time eating poutine, Liam returned with the launch of DealClincher, taking over the Editor role at the start of 2018. At the weekend, Liam can be found racing on the road both in the UK and abroad, though he prefers the muddy fields of cyclocross. To date, his biggest race win is to the front of the cafe queue.
3 comments
Had a black pair of these for 3 seasons now and apart from a seized cleat bolt (my fault) they still perform A1, the upper material just wipes down after use. Just be aware the carbon soles are easily scratched - stick a bit of protective tape on the toe and heel if you're bothered.
I find them a snug fit (the next half- size up are too roomy), great with summer socks but a squeeze with thicker winter ones, but I use mtb shoes when it gets properly cold. A great shoe.
I may be incorrect but the pictures and description seem to refer to an older model of this shoe. I think they are now "shiny" all over and don't have the mesh panels referred to. They also now have a replaceble heel pad.
I have them in Flouro yellow - they're bloody marvelous.
Yep. These are an older model. Though the EC70 and ratchet system, fit etc should be similar. Where on earth did they dig these up?