Giro Empire ACC Review

The first thing that stuck out to us was the low stack height on the outsole's cleat platform, which forced us to lower the seat post a few millimeters, which was annoying, but once we dialed it in they were good to go. They are well suited to narrow feet and riders who like to set it and forget it. Laces are great for getting a uniform tightness across the entirety of the shoe, but if you are finicky and want to adjust ahead of a climb or sprint, these will pose a problem. Despite some of the drawbacks, these are high performers and deserve a serious look. Read on as we set them next to the competition and see how they do.

Performance Comparison

The chart above shows the Giro Empires coming in near the middle of the pack, concealing some of its best attributes.

Comfort

The Empire ACC have a nice padded collar and mostly smooth sockliner, but the liner tapers off near the toes where the knuckles are scrunched up under a thin cycling sock, and the rubbing causes some discomfort. The Supernatural Footbed did allow for some customization and allowed us to remove the arch support to make a little more room, but the real discomfort here comes from the narrowness of the toebox and the difficulty in loosening the shoe during a ride. Riders looking for more comfortable shoes would do well to look at the Shimano S-Phyre, winner of our Top Pick for Lightweight.

Weight

This is where these puppies really stand out. They just 18.8 ounces in a men's 44, beating out the rest of the field. Their super low-profile Easton ACC carbon sole and Evofiber upper allow them to dominate the field in this category. The only other model that holds a candle to them here is the S-Phyre, which also uses a light upper and low-profile outsole without any weight added for lasting boards and the like.

Power Transfer

One great advantage of a tight upper with a uniform fit is that it doesn't allow energy to be wasted as the foot jostles around inside the shoe. Their stiff carbon composite sole also helps ensure pedal strokes aren't missing out on power. Where they do come up short is in the wide, slick heel, which allows the heel to slip out and sap power, especially on hard efforts. Riders looking for a comparable shoe with better transfer should look at the Fi'zi:ks. Riders looking for a top racing shoe should look at the Fi'zi:k Infinito R1, which won our Editors' Choice Award.

Adjustability

As we mentioned earlier, these do the laces thing, so they have a uniform tightness that a lot of riders appreciate, but they aren't too good on micro-adjustment or loosening mid-ride. We think they're a bit of a fad, but know some folks will hang onto them. Some of the other models offer much better on-the-fly adjustment, as the premium Shimano S-Phyre RC9 with its multiple bi-directional Boa dials.

Durability

The Empire's synthetic Evofiber microfiber offers a good layer of protection from the elements and includes a reinforced toe. Their sole is a tough carbon composite. This makes them a fairly durable shoe, but not the most durable in our pack. Notably the lack a replaceable toe pad, which means that once that pad is worn down after a few years, your toe and the Evofiber will start to wear down and tear. A better option for durability is the comparably priced Lake CX237, with its tough full grain leather upper and full carbon sole. An even sturdier option is the Sidi Wire Vent Carbon, bringing a reinforced microfiber upper with a full carbon sole and replaceable heel and toe pads.

Best Applications

These make really sweet crit shoes and even spin shoes if you get an adapter plate for SPD cleats. They also lend themselves to climbing, so long as you don't need to adjust tightness too much.

Value

These are a little on the expensive side for these, but they do have an Easton EC90 ACC carbon composite outsole, and they're incredibly light, which helps justify the price. Plus, if you're a Taylor Phinney groupie, they might also be imbued with some ethereal quality for you.

Conclusion

These have appeal for weight weenies looking to pick up a pair of light shoes on the cheap (compared to the premium Shimanos, anyway), and for those who dig the retro aspect. There are also those that insist that laces give a more uniform fit than the newer fastening devices like Boa dials. We think that's not accurate, but we all know how taste and preference go. If you're a laces kind of guy, these are the top shoes with laces and they'll give a fairly stiff ride.