Shoes to get 120% performance out of your flat pedals [GIRO TRACKER]

Hello, this is Ikeda from grumpy. I've been looking for flat pedal shoes recently, and I finally found a really good pair, so I'd like to introduce them.

The shoes are the 【GIRO TRACKER】, and I immediately ordered a pair for myself.

In this blog post, I will explain why I chose the GIRO TRACKER out of so many shoes, and its features.

◆ Why GIRO TRACKER? 

My theme for cycling in 2024 is "adventuring all over the place by bicycle!", but I've been having a little trouble with my footwear.

That is, there are various road conditions when I'm out cycling, and it's become difficult to cope with my usual shoes.

For example, to get to my cycling destination, which is mostly paved roads, I want to ride my bike as quickly as possible.

However, when I enter ruins or mountains, the elements of trekking, such as carrying my bicycle and climbing muddy paths, increase, rather than just cycling.

In other words, I want shoes specialized for pedaling when I'm riding a bicycle, and shoes with good grip and easy to walk in when I'm on foot.

I searched for shoes that could meet these demanding needs and be suitable for a variety of situations, and I arrived at the 【GIRO TRACKER】.

Surprisingly, there aren't many shoes that are optimized for both cycling and walking.

 

◆ What is GIRO TRACKER?

GIRO's TRACKER is an 【all-terrain cycling shoe】 designed for cycling + walking, and it is a flat pedal shoe that performs well both while riding and after getting off the bike.

The TRACKER is based on shoes originally used for trail riding, so it has a strong grip on flat pedals and a non-slip sole for off-road riding.

Furthermore, the sole is soft and the toe area is easy to bend, making these shoes comfortable to walk in. 

For example, many people will find the GIRO TRACKER suitable for bicycle commuting, shopping, long rides, camp touring, bikepacking, trail riding, trekking, adventure rides, city rides, hiking, local cycling, etc.

The GIRO TRACKER is not a shoe that specializes in trail riding or road riding, but rather an 【all-terrain cycling shoe】 that adapts to various situations for people who enjoy cycling in their daily lives and hobbies.

 

◆ Features of GIRO TRACKER

To make it easier to understand what GIRO TRACKER shoes are, I've summarized their main points.

Feature 1: Thin Sole

The TRACKER has a thinner sole compared to regular MTB flat shoes.

TypicalMTB shoes often feature thick outsoles and heavy insoles to enhance protection and impact resistance, and are designed to protect against spikes from flat pedals and are optimized for trail riding.

However, if you're using them for camp touring, "on-foot" trekking, or everyday cycling, some aspects can be overkill.

The TRACKER reduces these excessive elements and makes the sole thinner to make it easier to walk in. It also allows for a more direct feeling when pedaling by bringing the pedal and foot closer together.

 

 

Feature 2: Sole Flexibility

Related to the thinness of the sole mentioned above, the TRACKER has a soft sole that allows the toes to bend easily, making it comfortable to walk in like ordinary shoes without any discomfort.

The sole features TACK™Rubber in a cobblestone-like pattern, providing good grip on the ground and making it easy to walk on unpaved roads as well.

 

Feature 3: Lightweight Feel

When you lift your foot with the TRACKER on, you'll be surprised by how light it feels.

To be honest, the weight is about 340g per shoe for size 43, so it's not miraculously lighter than other shoes (it's tens of grams lighter than some other models).

However, I believe the design, which minimizes padding for weight reduction, uses quick-drying materials, and incorporates breathable materials to prevent stuffiness, contributes to the "light" feeling when wearing the shoes.

Of course, the shoes themselves are lightweight, making it easy to move both when pedaling and walking.

 

Feature 4: Super Fast and Easy to Put On and Take Off

The TRACKER is a very easy shoe to put on and take off. This is one of my favorite features, and I feel it's a level above the ease of putting on regular sneakers or clipless shoes.

The important point is that you can quickly take off the shoes while they are still securely held, not loosely fitted.

Until now, I hadn't really paid attention to the "ease of putting on" shoes, but I've found it to be surprisingly beneficial.

For example, when getting out of a tent during camp touring, sitting down in a Japanese-style restaurant (zashiki) where you remove your shoes, quickly going to the restroom, quickly leaving the entrance, or wanting to relax at the summit by taking off your shoes... it's definitely better if they're easy to put on and take off, right?

 

 

Feature 5: Relaxed Fit

The TRACKER has a wide and relaxed toe box, making it easy for people with wide feet to find a good fit. I also have wide feet and usually struggle with shoe selection, but with this model, choosing my usual size caused no problems at all.

 

 

Feature 6: Two Shoe Closure Methods

The TRACKER offers two fastening methods.

・BOA dial
You can easily secure the shoes by turning the dial on the upper part of the shoe. The entire shoe is evenly tightened to provide a comfortable fit.

Also, by pulling the dial up, you can release the fastening and quickly take off the shoes.

・Fast lace
By pulling the strap on the upper part of the shoe, you can instantly secure the shoe. This also allows for even tightening across the entire shoe, providing a very high level of fit. It offers a surprisingly firm hold and is resistant to loosening.

Any excess lace can be stored in the pocket at the top of the shoe's tongue.

 

GIRO TRACKER is currently in stock in these two types, with a total of 5 colors.

If you're near our store, please come and experience how easy they are to wear.

GIRO TRACKER (BOA dial)

Price: ¥19,998 

GIRO TRACKER FASTLACE

Price: ¥12,980

 

We also have a YouTube video, so please check it out for reference.

 

I'll be using the GIRO TRACKER extensively in my cycling life and adventures from now on!

I'll review the "actual" feel and durability later!