Just in: New Wire shoes from Sidi

Sidi have just sent us a pair of their new top-end Wire shoes, we saw them at last year’s Eurobike and went a bit unnecessary, and we asked for them for Christmas, which has come a little bit late. We’re not complaining though.

The Italian cobblers have always chosen to use a variety of shoe securing combinations on their shoes over the years, mixing velcro, ratchet straps and cables but as the name might suggest the Wires are Sidi’s first shoe to use a length of wire as their sole securing system. Using a length of line is nothing new for the Treviso company, they first used the idea in the 1960s on a pair of ski boots and in the late eighties they patented it for use in a cycling shoe. Tell that to all the shoe companies that have been touting bits of cable as their newest greatest thing over the last few years.

The top Techno-3 buckle tightens the Soft Instep Closure System, a wide, anatomically curved strap with a soft, thermo-formed EVA pad that distributes pressure evenly over the instep area and it’s adjustable from both sides to achieve the perfect central position over the top of the foot. The second ratchet takes care of the lower half of the shoe, lift and rotate to tighten and pinch the side buttons to release, allowing quick and easy on-the-fly adjustment of the low-friction filament.

At the aft of the shoe is Sidi’s Heel Security System (HSS), an adjustable band that tightens the Wire to the back of your foot to keep your heel positively and comfortably planted in the shoe. Sidi say heel security allows you to ratchet up the straps of your shoes less fiercely - giving you more comfort with more security.

The Vent Carbon sole is the same as last year’s Ergo 3 shoe but has had some weight shaved off it for the 2013 Wire, lightweight and stiff, would you expect anything less, the sole is handmade from T700 carbon fiber in a 3k weave pattern orientated to maximize stiffness while allowing for a small degree of controlled flex in the toe area. The sole has integrated vents and air channels for heat dissipation and air flow for those two warm days in the summer, and the Sidi Comfort-Fit insoles have matching perforations for an unimpeded breeze to the foot. The Wire sole features a standard 3-hole drilling, printed with a 10 mm lateral and fore/aft cleat alignment scale as well as the Look Memory Eyelet for easy cleat replacement, the Sidi Wire is also available with a Speedplay specific 4-hole sole. To improve walkability on marble café floors the sole has replaceable polyurethane heel and toe pads.

The upper is made from Vernice Microfibre, or shiny Lorica if you will, a synthetic leather that’s soft, supple, water-repellent, quick-drying and breathable, and it allows dirt to slide away thanks to its smooth surface, because you don’t want to get these disco slippers mucky. The White/White colour combo we have here is indeed very very shiny and something you’d want to keep very very clean, although these are going to be under overshoes and socks for the foreseeable future by the looks of things. The Wire is available in 4 other colour combinations including an achingly on-trend hi-viz yellow, and they’re also available with a perforated “Air” upper for those two nice days in the Summer. Most of the little parts on the Wire are replaceable and there’s a 2 yr warranty on those that aren’t.

The Sidi Wires weigh 582g a pair (Size 41) and will part you with 375 of your pounds, which isn’t the most expensive pair of cycling shoes we’ve seen, but only just.

www.bigbear.co.uk