Test: Giro Empire VR70 Knit - Grandma's knitting skills revisited | Ride MTB

Test: Giro Empire VR70 Knit - Grandma's knitting skills revisited

Knit is currently the upper material of choice for shoe manufacturers. From sneakers to climbing and mountain bike shoes - the knitted material is all the rage. It is said to provide a new feeling of comfort and, thanks to its improved adaptability, better power transmission. We tested what the new edition of Grandma's knitting skills can do off-road on the "Empire VR70 Knit" from Giro.

Knit is chic and has advantages

The Giro "Empire VR70 Knit" looks a bit like a football boot. However, neither Özil nor Messi will ever use it, because Giro's new mountain bike shoe has other core competencies than kicking a round leather. Its job, and that of the Knit material in particular, is to chase mountain bikes over trails as efficiently and comfortably as possible.

The special feature of this innovative shoe is the close-fitting inner sock. It ensures a perfect and very comfortable fit. The knitted Empire fits perfectly, especially on narrow feet, which is often not guaranteed with many shoes. The unusual material also makes the shoe very breathable. The shoes are not particularly suitable for colder temperatures as they are not very warm due to the material. It is therefore an ideal trail shoe for the summer months. Surprisingly, however, your feet only get wet a little faster in them than with "conventional" bike shoes.

Good power transmission under pressure

Thanks to the carbon sole, power is transferred efficiently to the pedals. The lacing, on the other hand, is somewhat disadvantageous for power transmission. However, it is durable and uncomplicated. The outsole is equipped with a Vibram tread sole, which ensures a secure grip on short sections. The shoe is less suitable for long runs, as the low heel lacks a little grip in this area. Even if the material doesn't look like it, the inner sock protects the foot and ankle surprisingly well. More obvious protection is provided by the rubber toe cap, which does a good job of cushioning painful encounters with bouncing stones.

Conclusion

The Giro "Empire VR70 Knit" is an extremely comfortable shoe that impresses with its perfect fit. All mountain bikers who value comfort and a secure grip on short sections will enjoy this shoe. The shoe is also ideal for tours in summer temperatures, but less suitable for cold days.

www.giro.com
www.chrissports.ch


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