The updated Giant Surge Pro road shoes are a marked improvement over the previous version – and I was very impressed with those when I reviewed them back in 2023. If you’d asked me on day one of testing though, I would have given you a different answer.
Slipping on these new models I found the fit great, and the BOA Li2 dials have a high end feel to them as you click through the ratchet mechanism, but as far as comfort went, I was initially on the fence.
These days even shoes with full leather uppers don’t really require a breaking-in period. Both leather and manmade microfibre uppers are generally supple and feel great as you slide your foot in for the first time.
The woven mono-mesh upper used here, which includes a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) skin, felt as though it fitted where it touched, but offered little in the way of the comfortable, foot hugging fit that I want from a pair of quality road shoes.
Thankfully though, that only lasted for about half an hour or so on the bike, and when I finished my first ride, everything had become more supple, and the fit had transformed. If you are trying these on in a shop, this is worth bearing in mind before you dismiss them.
The BOA Li2 dials allow minute levels of adjustment to get a secure foot hold without applying pressure to specific points, so when the uppers have given a bit, the shoe feels like it wraps around your foot with an even spread of pressure.
I know it’s a cliché, but the Surge Pros do feel like you are wearing a comfy pair of slippers. The tongue isn’t gusseted, but it remains central due to the BOA cables running through it, and this means that when the shoe is tightened, pressure is spread evenly over the top of the foot. There isn’t much padding there, but I didn’t find that a problem.
Included in the box, you’ll find some expanded polystyrene (EPS) footbeds which you can slip in to create a better fit for your foot, should you need to. Giant has also introduced a bit more width into the standard shoes (something we are seeing a fair bit from shoe manufacturers lately) as well as offering a wider fit version.
That extra room is noticeable, and the sizing is slightly more realistic on these new shoes. The previous iteration I wore were a size EU 45, which Giant at the time billed as corresponding to a UK 11, even though I’m basically a UK 10. However, the shoes tested here are EU 44.5, which Giant now lists as being equivalent to a UK 9.5 and they fit exceptionally well.
Soles
It’s not just the uppers that have been reworked – so has the full carbon sole. Gone is the twin-beam design of the previous version, replaced by something much more traditional.
Giant has placed more material at the cleat interface, and there is a central ‘rib’ which runs through the centre of the foot to the heel for a bit of extra strength.
I like the overall shape. It feels comfortable and there is enough arch support without it being too pronounced.
Stiffness is where these soles shine though. They are incredibly rigid, but unlike the previous versions, which could transfer a lot of road vibration, these have more suppleness about them. My feet certainly didn’t feel battered about.
For walking, you get a front and rear bumper and a mesh section for some airflow in hot weather.
The soles have a three-bolt drilling pattern to cover pretty much every cleat on the market, although Giant has also added a fourth hole so that the Surge Pros will work with the twin-bolt SRM X-Power Direct Road cleats too.
Overall, I think Giant has really nailed this latest design and they feel like a definite upgrade over the previous model. When you bear in mind how good I thought those were, you’ll understand how impressive these new shoes are. At 532g on our scales they also feel very light – especially if you are a high cadence rider.
Once bedded in, the combination of comfort and stiffness means that the Surge Pros feel ruthlessly efficient and an absolute joy to wear. It was great to be wearing a pair of shoes that are so breathable too. You’ll need some overshoes though if you intend to wear them year-round to ward off cold feet, and the upper material isn’t very easy to clean after a wet ride either.
Value
The main sticking point for many will be the price. At £324.99 they aren’t what I’d necessarily class as value for money, but I wouldn’t say that they are overpriced either when you compare the competition. If you are happy paying that, they at least go some way towards justifying the price by way of the very high build quality.
Fizik’s Vega Carbon come in a similar construction and now have a wider fit but cost £389.99 for 2026. Sam was impressed with them, but that’s a lot of cash to spend.
Rapha’s Pro Team Powerweave shoes also exceed the Giants in cost with an RRP of £350.
My current go-to road shoes are a pair of Mechanism PNS X Fizik which I alternated with the Giants. Both shoes are incredibly stiff, light and very comfortable, but for the pleasure of owning the Fiziks, you’ll need to outlay £390.
You don’t have to pay as much for some brands high-end models though. For instance, Lake’s new CX239 come in a range of sizes and widths and have a very high build quality. A set of those will cost you £295.
> Best road cycling shoes — get some light, stiff kicks to help you go faster on the bike
Conclusion
I’m really impressed with these Surge Pros. Giant has pretty much gone for a full redesign, which can be risky, but I think it was totally justified. These new ones are better across the board, especially from a comfort point of view.
Test Report
What does the manufacturer say about this product?:
Refined through extensive testing with Team Jayco Alula pro racer Michael Matthews, the Surge Pro combines efficient power transfer, precise retention, and exceptional comfort. A Giant-engineered, full-carbon plate creates a direct connection to the pedals. Three-Dimensional Arch Support, Evo Wrap construction, and dual BOA® Li2 dials provide secure, pressure-free support through every effort. A wider fit platform and dual-width sizing options offer a more natural fit for a broad range of foot shapes.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of this product:
Giant-engineered carbon plate – Wet-layup full-carbon construction optimized for efficient power transfer and consistent performance.
EvoWrap – Wraparound construction stabilizes the foot through the pedal stroke while distributing pressure evenly.
the BOA® Fit System featuring Dual-Dial Li2 – Independent micro-adjustment zones provide precise tuning and secure retention.
Three-dimensional arch support – Integrates the carbon plate, retention system and footbed to provide stable, efficient support across a wide range of foot shapes.
Woven mono-mesh upper with TPU skin – Lightweight, breathable and strategically reinforced for structure and support.
Wider fit platform – Developed around extensive ergonomic research for improved comfort and support.
Standard (D) and wide (E) sizing – Two width options provide a more accommodating fit for a broad range of foot shapes.
Tunable EPS footbeds – Included footbeds provide tunable support and personalized comfort via arch inserts.
Neutral plate geometry – Supports natural pedaling mechanics without imposing corrective positioning.
3-Bolt cleat interface – Compatible with SPD-SL, Look Keo, and other major 3-bolt road pedal systems. Compatible with SRM X-Power Direct pedal system.
SIZES: 39–48 (with half sizes)
AVAILABLE COLOURS: White
WIDTH: Standard (D) and Wide (E)
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested?:
High-end shoes are expensive, although the Giants aren’t as expensive as some, such as those from Rapha and Fizik that I mentioned in the main review.
Any comments on sizing? Did they size up too big or too small?:
Sizing was pretty much spot on, but you could afford to go half a UK size down if you’re between sizes.
Any further comments on comfort?:
Allow a ride or two for the uppers to become more supple.
Any further comments on water resistance?:
The upper design is not meant to keep the water out.
What type of closure system does the shoe use?:
Twin BOA Li2 dials.
Any issues with durability?:
No.
How easy is the shoe to clean?:
Not the easiest. The mesh style upper means dirty water can stain.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.
Use this box to explain your overall score
A stunning pair of shoes in terms of comfort and efficiency, and while the price is high they are arguably cheaper than some other brands range toppers by a considerable amount.
