Mavic

Galibier Shoe - Men's

The Galibier name is synonymous with altitude and pain. It’s a monster of a climb and was the site where Pantani danced away from an elite group into the mists of the mountain’s upper slopes. And while he carried with him Ullrich’s dreams of a second yellow jersey, he also aspired to win the Tour that day. That’s why we think the Mavic Galibier Shoes are aptly named. They sell lighter. They sell higher tech. However, these shoes benefit from a great deal of trickle-down from the more expensive models. Most importantly, they’re inexpensive enough to match a budding enthusiasm and evolved enough to support your aspiration for faster, stronger, better.

Of course, cost savings often mean weight penalties. But for the money you save here, the difference to their high end Zxellium shoes is only 35 grams per foot. They even look a lot alike. The first place you may notice the difference is the sole. For the Galibier, Mavic employs a fiberglass and carbon reinforced molded nylon sole. It’s plenty stiff, but it adds a few grams and is a touch thicker than the laminated carbon soles of the top level shoes. The stack height is 7.5mm compared to 7mm for the Zxellium. The uppers are all made of the same materials as well. Mavic uses a durable synthetic leather and mesh to keep your feet cool in hot weather.

Ultimately, the Galibier upper is more pliable than that of the Zxellium because it doesn’t use their Energy Frame. That said, we’ve found that security is not a problem. The Energy Lock heel counter keeps your hindfoot in place by cradling the calcaneous bone. At the same time, the Ergo Lite Ratcheting buckle and two hook-and-loop Ergo Straps complete the job of securing the your forefoot. The Ergo Straps use small Kevlar cords for a stretch-free system that allows a perfect adjustment every time you slide into the shoes.

The fully featured closure system on the upper is complemented by the Ergo Fit 2D insole. It has two densities of padding, with more dense foam underneath the heel. The insole is covered in an anti-bacterial material that resists stink. The Clima Vent Tongue is ergonomically shaped and includes EVA comfort foam and plenty of mesh for supreme comfort. It’s lightly padded, with just enough material to spread out the pressure and still allow the foot to breathe.

The Mavic Galibier Shoes are available in Metallic Silver and come in whole and half sizes from 7.5 to 12.5 mens.