Knit technology, while seen in other athletic footwear, makes its first appearance in the cycling world with Giro's Empire E70 Knit Shoes. What you can experience is exceptional comfort and superior breathability while putting in long base miles or while winding it up for an hour during a 4-corner crit. This super-durable upper is built with cycling in mind and never compromises fit in its quest to provide lightweight power transfer.

Other athletic disciplines use knit technology in footwear because its stretch, support, and breathability offer tangible benefits. We have yet to see it in cycling shoes because—as we all know—cycling demands unique requirements for footwear. Giro solves this with the Xnetic Knit upper. It employs a rigid TPU support skeleton that is structurally designed for cycling and wraps it with DWR-treated Xnetic Knit for water repellency, easy cleaning, and a glove-like fit. TPU reinforcements are utilized at the toe and heel, adding durability off the bike or if you happen to have a little toe/tire overlap at low speeds. Following the—ahem—footsteps of other Empire shoes, this one features a traditional lace closure for a customized fit and low weight.

The sole of the Empire E70 utilizes Easton's E70 uni-directional carbon composite, which doesn't flinch during 4-digit watt sprints, and it's light enough that you'll be dancing on the pedals on the ascents. The Giro Empire E70 Knit Road Shoe is compatible with 3-bolt cleats and road pedals and comes in a multitude of sizes between 39.0-50.0.