Giro Trans Boa

Giro's Trans Boa shoes update the excellent Velcro-secured original design to create stiff, comfortable and thoroughly modern shoes. They'll please everyone from keen amateurs to sportive riders and occasional racers with their stiff carbon soles and easily tweaked comfort, though they're not the lightest available.

• Pros: Stiff carbon soles, secure shaping, supportive insoles, easy adjustment
• Cons: Only three colour options

These Trans are broadly similar to the version that scored an impressive 4.5 stars back in 2016, meaning an Easton EC70 carbon sole, a very breathable microfibre and mesh upper, and an attractive mix of matt and gloss panels. Two of the three Velcro straps are now gone, replaced by a quick-release Boa L6 dial that tightens in 1mm increments.

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The Boa laces tighten over a broad tongue that's relatively thickly padded along the centre line and well shaped as it thins towards the ankle, meaning comfort is excellent. The pressure is well spread across the top of your foot, even if you like them tight.

The deep and well-padded heel cup means they don't need overtightening to stay secure, no matter how hard you crank at the pedals. These are the kind of shoes that make it fun to stand up and sprint – those EC70 soles are pleasingly stiff and efficient, though not so stiff that they buzz or feel harsh for the rest of the ride. In fact, the only time I found myself thinking about them was when out of the saddle, which, quite frankly, is ideal. I suffered no hotspots or pinching at all, straight out of the box. Fit and sizing is spot on.

Toebox width is adjusted with the single Velcro strap, and I found the Trans Boas roomy without being sloppy. In fact, once I'd set the Velcro I never touched it again, as even switching between thin socks and thick, thermal ones didn't require adjustment beyond what the dial offers. If you have wide feet and tend to struggle generally, Giro also offers a high volume (HV) version.

Though I normally use arch-supporting inserts, for the sake of the test I used the standard footbeds at first, and was surprised to find I never needed to change them. Giro rates the supplied support as 'medium', which seems about right, and that stiff sole very effectively stops it collapsing during the ride.

You're unlikely to struggle excessively with heat buildup given the large, very open mesh panels and perforated uppers, but given that temperatures never topped 10°C during the test I can't really comment (they're certainly too breezy for winter without covers). There's also a small vent beneath the toes, though none in the midsole. For UK use, the closed midsole is probably a benefit for 360+ days a year.

Fitting your three-bolt cleats is easy thanks to broad, clear alignment marks, while the nylon heel protectors are retained by two heavily recessed bolts – meaning the hex heads won't be mangled when the time comes to replace the heels. These remain almost completely unmarked after a month (unlike my new cleats), though I really don't walk far in them.

If stealth black's not your thing there are black/white and black/crimson options. One of the matt panels on this test pair is slowly polishing up shiny where it rubs the crank, but otherwise these shoes still look basically new despite plenty of rain and filth. The white versions may not be so easy to care for...

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At 579g for the pair (EU45) the Trans Boas aren't the lightest you can get despite the carbon sole, but you couldn't call them heavy either – plenty of similarly specced shoes at this price are around this weight. There are exceptions though, such as the Bontrager Velocis, which are almost 100g lighter, if a little less rigid. However, even avowedly lightweight choices such as FLR's F-XX II Strawweight Road Race shoes are 540g in size 45, while Specialized's more expensive (£200) Torch 3.0s are 556g.

The Giro Trans remain great performers and very much worth the £180 asking price, then, while the new Boa dials only make them easier and more compelling still.

Verdict

A great update of a great mid-range shoe: stiff yet comfy, the Trans Boas will please all but the raciest of riders