The Q36.5 Unique Pro 4.0 Road Shoes are unapologetically premium race kicks that major on low stack height, huge stiffness, and real comfort for real riders with real feet (rather than tiny Italians with tiny cherub feet). At £550 they’re firmly in dream kit territory, but while they’re still not the cheapest or the lightest available, they are amongst of the most impressive shoes I’ve used.
If your experience of Italian race shoes has involved squeezing your forefoot into something that feels designed around a breadstick, the Unique Pro 4.0 will come as a pleasant surprise. Q36.5 uses a genuinely wider shape, and it’s immediately noticeable.
Importantly, that width is not limited to just a roomy toe box. The whole shoe feels more accommodating, with the midfoot and heel also offering more space than many traditional race shoes, but without ever feeling vague or overly roomy. For my feet, which are much more Samwise Gamgee than Kate Moss, it was a very welcome trait.
They are much more accommodating than old-school narrow shoes from the likes of Fizik or Giro, yet they still feel sleek and performance-focused rather than broad and baggy. They’re not in full Lake Wide Fit territory, but they are far more forgiving than many high-end options. Q36.5 also provides a size guide that compares its own sizes against other brands, which is genuinely helpful.
The other standout element is the tongue, or more accurately the lack of a traditional one. Q36.5 uses a perforated sock-style liner and mesh bridge panel, and it’s excellent. It swallowed up my tall arch without complaint, avoided hot spots, and stayed comfortable on long days where lesser shoes can start rubbing or feeling restrictive.
The major selling point here is the ultra low stack height. Q36.5 says the outsole is just 2.2mm thick, and it pitches them as one of the lowest on the market. The 4.0 version also adds a 4-bolt sole for compatibility with its new SRM X-Power Direct Road Pedals – these are the only shoes that fit them, in fact – and they still fit all the regular 3-bolt systems from Shimano and Look.
Q36.5 claims that these shoes on a normal Shimano-style setup have a total stack height of around 17.8mm, but with those X-Power pedals it’s 11.9mm. That is a huge reduction, and for riders who believe in every last marginal gain from lowering the foot closer to the pedal axle, it is a serious draw. There is a practical caveat, though: if you make that jump, you will likely need to revisit your fit, especially your saddle height. The other thing is those pedals are another £550.
The amount of cleat bolt adjustment built into the shoe is impressive. You get around 11mm of fore and aft cleat movement, on top of whatever adjustment your cleats allow. That gives a very broad fitting range, and makes it much easier to fine tune position – especially if you prefer a more rearward cleat setup.
Whether you buy into the Wattage claims or not, the sensation on the bike is one of very direct power transfer.
I first tested these on the hot roads of Gran Canaria, including the slopes of Pico de las Nieves, which is the sort of place where poor ventilation and mediocre stiffness get found out in a hurry. The Unique Pro 4.0s passed that test with ease. Ventilation was excellent, and whether grinding uphill or stamping on the pedals for a town sign sprint, there was absolutely no hint of flex from the sole. These things feel extremely stiff – as you would hope for the money – but without crossing into the sort of punishing ride feel that makes you long for slippers.
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That stiffness is backed up by a very secure heel hold. The cupped heel, internal grippers and twin Boa dials work together really well. Once tightened, the shoe feels stable and supported, but never pinched. I had no pressure points from the lacing pattern, and the combination of soft upper and rigid sole is impressively judged.
Back home on the winter roads of Wiltshire, and throughout hours of Zwift suffering indoors, they continued to impress. They remain supportive and race ready indoors, while the breathability stops them becoming sweat boxes on longer turbo sessions.
Q36.5 makes a big deal of thermoregulation, and fairly so. The Unique Pro uses a large mesh panel across the bridge of the foot, perforations in the upper, and three open sole vents at the front. They are noticeably airy. Gran Canaria proved they’re an obvious match for hot weather riding.
The downside is seasonal practicality. My classic white test pair looked superb, especially with the glossy carbon heel adding a bit of racing car theatre, but the upper’s texture does trap winter grime more than I’d like. They did scrub clean eventually, but not without effort. If I owned these I’d be strongly tempted to save them for summer, big days in the mountains, and races, rather than repeated abuse through British winter filth.
In white, these look every bit the flagship shoe. The exposed carbon at the heel gives them a high end motorsport feel, and the overall shape is sleek without looking awkwardly pointy.
Alongside black, Q36.5 also offers Check Blue and Check White versions, which tie into the brand’s wider design language inspired by the iconic 1970s Porsche Pasha interior fabric.
There is a lot to like visually, though I would lean classic white or black unless you’re fully committed to the Q36.5 look across the rest of your outfit.
Value
This is where things get awkward. At £550, the Unique Pro 4.0 shoes are one of the most expensive mainstream road offerings you can buy.
I can’t believe I’m saying this but the Specialized S-Works Ares 2s have actually got cheaper since we reviewed them a year ago – they’ve dropped £80 to £399 – though at 485g a pair they’re a little heavier than the 432g Q36.5s.
Meanwhile the Nimbl Exceed Ultimate Glides have done the more normal thing and gone up £22 to £487, but even at that these true featherweights (348g a pair) significantly undercut the Q36.5s on both weight and price.
Still, most riders looking at the Unique Pro 4.0 will not just be shopping for a shoe. Or even two shoes. They will be looking at the broader Q36.5 and SRM pedal system, and that’s where these make the most sense. If the ultra low stack height and huge contact area are the main draw, there is currently nothing else quite like that combination. As shoes on their own, though, these have got some (wait for it) stiff competition.
Overall
These are exceptional race shoes. They’re stiff, airy, stable, and far more comfortable than their extreme performance credentials suggest. The wider fit, elasticated tongue, excellent heel retention and generous cleat adjustment make them easier to live with than many traditional Italian super shoes, while the low-stack sole gives them a genuinely distinct technical edge.
They are also teeth-gnashingly expensive, and not best suited to year-round use thanks to the venting and grime-loving texture. But if you want some of the most technically ambitious road shoes on the market, and you’re prepared to pay for them, the Unique Pro 4.0s absolutely deliver.
Test Report
What does the manufacturer say about this product?:
Q36.5 says: “The Unique Pro 4.0 is a new 4-hole version of our highest performance model, the Unique Pro which offers market-exclusive compatibility with the new SRM X-Power Direct road pedal and cleat system.
“At the heart of the shoe’s superior performance is a market-leading 4.4mm stack height. The artisanal carbon fiber sole is made in Montebelluna using a patent-pending layup. The outsole also features an extra wide metatarsal area for guaranteed comfort across different foot sizes and a cupped heel for increased stability. A signature of all Q36.5’s racing shoes, the Unique Pro Shoes feature no tongue but rather use a proprietary mesh panel across the bridge of the foot in order to maximize the shoes’ cooling effect.”
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of this product:
Q36.5 says:
A revolutionary new system
The new SRM X-Power Direct Road Pedal along with the Q36.5 Unique Pro Road Shoes is part of a gamechanging shoe and pedal system that increases the contact surface area between shoe and pedal while further reducing the total pedaling stack height by 6 mm relative to the current marketing leading figures, offering the most direct and efficient pedaling system on the market.
Low stack height
Thanks to a patent-pending carbon fiber layup developed by Q36.5 in Montebelluna, Italy, the outsole of the Unique Pro is only 2,2mm thick with a total stack height of 4.4mm, making it the lowest stack height on the market. According to recent studies, every millimeter of reduction in stack height amounts to a 1% increase in power thanks to improved rotation and aerodynamics, making the Unique Pro a 4% (at least) upgrade relative to your existing shoes.
4-hole SRM X-Power Direct Cleat attachment compatibility
The SRM X-Power Direct Cleat, by virtue of its proprietary shape (that allows for reduction of material between sole and pedal to the minimum) requires a 4th hole position on the sole. This 4-hole configuration is exclusive to the Q36.5 Unique Pro Shoes whilst nevertheless remaining compatible with all classic 3-hole cleat attachment systems meaning you can use the shoe for most pedal systems on the market.
Comfort and ventilation
A wider metatarsal area guarantees comfort for the widest range of feet. On top of that the Unique Pro Shoes feature a proprietary mesh panel across the bridge of the foot in order to maximize the shoes’ cooling effect. No other racing shoe on the market offers such a large and effective ventilating surface, representing an additional example of our commitment to thermoregulation as the new frontier for performance gains as well as rider comfort and health.
Boa Fit System
The L6 Dial Z combines modern design and precision performance in a sleek, low-profile form built for dual-dial systems – offering riders a refined, cycling-inspired look and effortless zonal fit control for a faster, more personalised ride.
Solestar insoles
Market-leading Solestar insoles come included with the Unique Pro Road shoes, placing the foot in the Optimal Neutral Position to enhance comfort, stability, and propulsion.
Any further comments on quality?:
Absolutely flawless.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested?:
They’re expensive compared to most, but they are unique in pairing with Q36.5’s low-stack height pedals.
Any further comments on fit?:
The grippy heel cup and twin BOAs keep your feet secure, and while the toe box is broader than many, it’s not as extreme as dedicated wide fit shoes such as those from Lake. The fit should work well for many people.
Any comments on sizing? Did they size up too big or too small?:
Sizing was true to size, and in line with my other cycling shoes. Q36.5 even gives a helpful comparison of their sizing against other big brands, should you be unsure.
Any further comments on comfort?:
No hot spots or rubbing even on hot, six-hour Spanish training rides. The twin BOA dials evenly distribute pressure and the fixed mesh tongue pads the area well.
Any further comments on ventilation?:
Very breezy vai the sole and upper vents.
Any further comments on water resistance?:
Lots of vents!
What type of closure system does the shoe use?:
BOA Li2 dials
Any issues with durability?:
None.
How easy is the shoe to clean?:
Slightly tricky due to the perforations and texture.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product?
No (purely due to price)
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
The performance is exceptional (particularly when paired with the dedicated pedals), but oh boy are you paying for it.
About the tester
Age: 35Height: 190cmWeight: 92kg
I usually ride: Santa Cruz StigmataMy best bike is: Specialized Tarmac
I’ve been riding for: 10-20 yearsI ride: Most daysI would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: Road racing, Time trialling, Cyclocross, Gravel riding, Indoor riding, Bikepacking
1 thought on “Q36.5 Unique Pro 4.0 Road Shoes”
£550 slippers. Is our sport isn’t devolving into a plutocracy rather than a chain gang?