Giro

Solara II Cycling Shoe - Women's

Pro-level shoes aren't always practical, especially if you take part in multiple disciplines or are just getting into cycling. Or maybe, like many of us, you're more interested in kit that just works rather than the Latest & Greatest™. Giro understands this, so it took features from its high-end models and adapted them to a shoe that won't take up your entire budget for the season just because some pro with a funny haircut and lively social media account wears it, too.

Giro constructs the shoes with a smooth, vented microfiber upper for a contoured fit around your foot. The Solara II features welded and bonded uppers that limit the number of traditionally sewn seams to reduce the likelihood of hot spots and blisters. While some entry-level cycling shoes receive little to no midsole treatment, Giro adds a molded EVA footbed to the Solara IIs to provide efficiency-improving arch support throughout your pedal stroke.

The footbed is treated with an Aegis antimicrobial coating to keep it smelling fresh, while a DuPont Zytel nylon outsole provides reliable power transfer from your legs to the pedals. When you're getting ready to ride, take advantage of the option to fine-tune the fit of the shoes at three points across the top of your foot to avoid numbness and hot spots. Giro includes two hook-and-loop straps across the instep and a micro-adjustable N-1 ratcheting buckle at the top.