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New 175g Giro Empire SLX Steps Out As One of the Lightest Road Shoes Ever, Updated with Actual Weight!

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Giro Empire SLXGiro Sport Design has announced the Empire SLX, a new shoe that redefines road footwear performance.  Weighing an astonishing 175 grams, it features the unrivaled comfort and adjustability of a lace closure, plus an Easton® EC90™ SLXII carbon outsole that delivers all the stiffness and efficiency demanded by world-class professionals.  Already ridden to victory in the Amgen Tour of California, the Empire SLX will be available this fall for $350/ €300.

*Updated* with actual scale shot after the break!

Giro Empire SLX Easton EC90 Sole

Key features of the Giro Empire SLX include:

  • Benchmark Low Weight:  At a mere 175g for size 42.5, the Empire SLX is one of the lightest production cycling shoes ever made, and is even considerably lighter than many custom cycling shoes
  • Superior Laced Closure:  Giro employs KDL Techno Laces to deliver unrivaled fit and feel.  Originally developed for world cup-level soccer boots, KDL Techno laces hold knots securely, resist stretching, and are supremely lightweight.  Laces are also extremely difficult to destroy in a crash, but, unlike ratchet or buckle systems, are simple to replace if need be.
  • Easton® EC90™ SLXII Outsole: Working closely with Easton®, Giro developed an optimal stiffness profile while minimizing weight and maintaining an ultra-low 6.5mm stack height, improving performance and efficiency without compromising comfort.
  • Exceptional Breathability: A new Teijin Evofiber™ SL one-piece upper allows heat and moisture to escape from inside without relying on mesh cut-outs which can compromise fit and add weight.

    Giro Empire SLX Actual Weight Scale ShotSource Giro Instagram

On the scale, the new Giro shoes weighed in at 174 g, just 1 g under claimed.

For more, Visit Giro

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22 Comments
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Ronin
Ronin
9 years ago

Laces…laces…
What am I missing, shouldn’t there be a knott somewhere in this picture?

And, somehow orange just looks so…Sesame Street.

mike
mike
9 years ago

These look awesome. For that day when you win the lottery.

mudrock
mudrock
9 years ago

Why are cycling shoes so expensive? I don’t get it.

Jupes
Jupes
9 years ago

$350 and the insult of having to lace them up on top of having to pay an unrealistic price. In my opinion, you would be a real sucker to buy these.

volsung
volsung
9 years ago

If you cut the laces shorter you can save even more weight.

Padrote
Padrote
9 years ago

why is this niche market thing requiring resources to develop that will have a very limited production run so expensive??

Padrote
Padrote
9 years ago

also, would like with two bolt and replaceable cleat soles!

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
9 years ago

Per mile…these are cheaper than any shoe you would ever by off of a bike. I’ve managed 40,000+ miles on $300 shoes. I doubt I’ve put 400 miles on a $100 sneaker

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
9 years ago

Buy*

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9 years ago

But they’re soo ugly….

Velociraptor
Velociraptor
9 years ago

Speedplay version, please!

Pmurf
Pmurf
9 years ago

@Padrote ugh, thank you. Giro (and most others) make exceptional shoes at the entry level pp. These are not them.

Harrison
Harrison
9 years ago

@Veganpotter: An excellent point most people don’t consider. Considering it’s quite easy to spend $100 for running shoes that last 500 miles, $300 for 5,000+ miles sounds great.

Harrison
Harrison
9 years ago

I don’t believe these to be as classy as the other Empire shoes, but nevertheless I’m curious!

Will a Speedplay version be offered?
Do the Empire shoes fit narrow like most Giro shoes, or can they fit wider feet?

Wayne
9 years ago

Can someone direct me were to buy bike shoes that come 11size 5-E any comment will be appreciated.

drewsey junction
drewsey junction
9 years ago

Unless something’s changed ever so recently, Speedplay mounts to the 3-bolt road standard. They have shims to deal with different sole radii as well. There could be something I’m missing, admittedly. The Empire is the most comfortable shoe out of the box I have found. I want to win the lottery.

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

I own the first generation version and the ACC. This is one of the greatest shoes I’ve ever worn. Not for everyone clearly, but they work amazing for me. The price bickering is the same bullcrap I hear over rapha/assos/ blah blah blah. None of you are product managers so your opinions do not matter. Get off your internet soap box and go ride your bike. People will shell out the money for quality goods.

Chris
Chris
9 years ago

The first generation was incredible. The ratcheted ProLight SLX was also a great shoe, so I can see marrying the two to be pretty awesome.

And you’re crazy if you pay retail for any cycling product. No one should ever pay $350 for these.

Tyler Benedict
Admin
9 years ago

Harrison – The standard Empires seem to fit a bit wider than the original Giro road shoes, but they’re by no means wide. I prefer a wider shoe, especially in the toe box, but the Empires are fairly comfortable.

Corey
Corey
9 years ago

Giro clearly never got their shoe laces stuck in the chain as kids. Then again, I suppose that was a much bigger problem with coaster brakes.

Velo
Velo
9 years ago

> Unless something’s changed ever so recently, Speedplay mounts to the
> 3-bolt road standard.

Yeah, but it’s not ideal with the extra adapter sandwiched in. If I’m spending $350 for a pair of shoes, I’d like to have a Speedplay-specific version.

Derek
Derek
9 years ago

Everyone who wants Velcro and buckles forgets that this model is aero. Looking at the usual 3 velcro straps from the side forms a total of 4 square inches of velcro thickness area counting both shoes that forms a perfect 45 degree v to capture the air! The same holds true for side buckles and knobs sticking out. this area is much dirtier to air than the difference in the round 650c wheels to 700c about 2 square inches. differences are significant on studies on the zipp 404 and HED3, They actually track drag grams and seconds lost at Olympic tri distances. laces also make the shoe fit better to make them narrower reducing area to the wind maybe another 3 sq inches. This is huge since the feet actually go faster than stationary parts on the rider at half the pedal rotation cycle. due to v squared effect on force drag the total ave drag is slightly more on the shoe than stationary parts on th bike or rider. This is much more important than any weight loss for any course that returns back to the start for zero elevation net. aero studies show 10 percent due to shoes alone(road shoes seem to be the worst to me) tri shoes can be vastly improved for aero. (Ex commercial product manager and aerospace rocket engineer/scientist for GD SAIC technitrol).

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