Test: Giro Alpineduro - An unusual shoe in an ordinary test | Ride MTB

Test: Giro Alpineduro - An unusual shoe in an ordinary test

A shoe for alpine enduro riding that looks like a hiking boot with luminous bands? We wanted to find out what Giro's bad weather shoe is made of and put the "Alpineduro" through a 3-season test.

The Giro Alpineduro is exactly what it looks like - a mountain shoe. Or rather a mountain biking shoe, designed for alpine tours in all kinds of weather conditions, which doesn't shy away from longer walking or carrying passages. Giro is positioning the model as a four-season model, but that probably depends on the regions in which you wear it in winter.

The look of the shoe does without the typical bike shoe frippery and impresses with its simple design. The bright orange laces may not be everyone's cup of tea, but we see them as an accent against the black uniformity. The laces are also quite long, but can be fixed centrally thanks to an elastic band so that they don't get caught in the drive.

The proven rubber compound from Vibram was used for the sole - the same as Giro's "Terraduro" Enduro shoe.

Into the boots - out into the terrain

We have ridden the Alpineduro in a wide range of conditions over the last ten months. From the cold winter in Davos to high alpine tours in summer, we've done it all. We see its primary use in cool and wet conditions. Just below freezing, the shoe may still be warm, but when it gets colder, the insulation is no longer quite enough. In high summer temperatures, it is more on the warm side. However, it shines in wet weather and provides excellent protection from the elements, even after several hours in the wet.

Whether in the saddle or when pushing, the shoe sits comfortably and is in the midfield in terms of fit and stiffness. Thanks to its smooth surface, it is easy to clean. Only the laces are quite dirty after a few nasty rides. As a result, tying them is a bit tricky and they no longer slip as well. It would be nice if hooks were used here instead of the triangular metal brackets, similar to those used for hiking boots. This would allow you to lace up a little better and tighter.

Conclusion

The Giro Alpineduro is a faithful companion when the elements are against you. Our feet were always warm and dry. Even after ten months of use, there are hardly any signs of wear. The only thing to criticize is the lacing, which is not quite optimal, and some people might wish for a slightly more robust sole profile for really wet days.

www.giro.com


Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.