You may have seen Giro's latest shoe, the Empire, on Taylor Phinney at the Giro earlier this year. Developed as a one off for Phinney, the shoe garnered so much public interest, Giro has decided to add it to their 2013 product offerings. The Empire uses a one-piece upper made of Tejin, a fine quality japanese microfiber. The shoes bring back the classic lace up to cycling shoes, something that hasn't been done on a cycling shoe for some time. The laces not only bring back nostalgia, but are a lightweight closure system that allows the show to naturally contour to your foots shape. Inside the shoe, the Empire utilizes the a cycling specific SuperNatural Fit footbed with an adjustable arch support system that allows the user to optimize the shoe to their natural foot shape and contours. Providing not only comfort, but greater power transfers through the EC90 unidirectional carbon outsole. The Empires weigh in at 225 grams (size 42.5) and will retail for $275 when they start showing up at Giro dealers.

[youtube width="600" height="361"]httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCg5RB7NIeg

  • One-piece Teijin upper with lace closure system
  • EC90 Unidirectional carbon sole
  • SuperNatural Fit footbed with adjustable arch support
  • Designed for Taylor Phinney, worn to maglia rosa at Giro D'Italia and two 4th places at London 2012
  • $275.00