Ekoi launch the R5 Custom, a "100% customisable shoe"

In the world of cycling tech, it doesn't feel like the year has begun until something wholly unusual lands on our desks or in our inbox from Ekoi... and after sampling the delights of their one-size, inside-out bib shorts and a jersey that is designed to prevent tan lines, they've now launched a custom configurator for the range-topping Ekoi R5 road shoe with some very eye-catching designs to choose from. 

Ekoi promising "no more tan marks" with new Solair jersey
Review: Ekoi Morpho bib shorts

The R5's were launched in July 2018, and they are Ekoi's stiffest and lightest all-round performance road shoes at 276g per shoe in a size 41. The 'monobloc' construction of the upper is seamless to increase comfort with an antibacterial inner lining, and Ekoi's SHD carbon sole includes six vents for plenty of breathability. And now the online configurator means you can have all those benefits within a weird and wonderful chassis designed by you. Snakeskin, pop art, patriotic national flag-inspired designs and geometric patterns are all options, and you can customise further by picking the colour of the tongue and the heel cup (make sure you do a better job than our intentionally terrible effort below, though). 

The road.cc Brexit Edition R5s - in other words, a complete bloody mess

The custom R5's are only available through Ekoi online, and take four weeks to make once you've placed your order. They're priced at €299.99, which is £262.77 at today's exchange rate according to the conversion on Ekoi's webshop - head over there to design your dream shoe here.