Giro is introducing a new way to dial in shoe fit with their Techlace system that is claimed to combine the ease-of-use of velcro with the customizable fit & feel of laces across the forefoot. Then they are topping it off with the fine adjustability of a Boa setup to lock your foot down tight. Coming first to the new men’s Factor Techlace and women’s Factress Techlace road shoes, the system aims to combine the best of both modern and classic shoe fit in a snappy premium package…
Based on the original Factor, which Giro debuted five years ago, this newest iteration builds off what Giro has learned since then developing other products and seeing the hugely positive response to their Empire line. The new Techlace system was developed to mimic that laces feel, but to give the on the bike adjustability that you can just never achieve with a regular let of lace-ups.
At the heart of the system, Giro says the laces are easily replaceable (which surely means we’ll see a lot of customized setups like you find with the Empires.)
For the Boa dial, Giro has spec’d the top-of-the-line IP1 than give the best control with just 1mm ratcheted cable pull increments to allow for a perfect fit. And of course with their looped layout, that means each click pulls the strap just 0.5mm at a time across your foot.
The shoes stick with the same user-adjustable SuperNatural Fit footbed and the perforated microfiber upper as their other premium shoes. The Factor family also keeps the light, stiff, and thin Easton EC90 SLX2 carbon sole for one of the best road power transfers on the market. The shoes also get the same replaceable toe and heel tread block as their other premium road shoes.
The shoes are certainly light, claiming just 210g a piece for the men’s in a size 42.5, and down to 195g for a 39 in the women’s version.
The new Factor & Factress Techlace shoes will be available mid fall through regular Giro channels for $350/€350/£290. They will come in three shiny color options for men: the all black, white with black details, and the super bright orange called vermillion; but just the white version for women.
The men’s Factor Techlace will offer whole sizes from 39-50, plus half sizes from 39.5-46.5; while the women’s Factress Techlace will go whole from 36-43, and half sizes from 37.5-42.5.
