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review

Giro Republic R Knit Road Cycling Shoes

9
£149.99

VERDICT:

9
10
Giro has taken an already very good shoe and made it even better with an innovative knit construction
Good breathability
Good looking
Very easy to walk in
Toe buffer is a welcome addition
Two-bolt only
Standard lack of adjustability with laces
Weight: 
720g
Contact: 
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This product has been selected to feature in road.cc recommends. That means it's not just scored well, but we think it stands out as special. Go to road.cc recommends

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The Giro Republic R Knits are a great pair of commuter/gravel/touring shoes that, with the new knitted construction, offer better breathability over the LX R version that I reviewed a few years ago.

The one thing about Giro's Republics I can vouch for is that they last very well. I have been using the same pair for commuting since early 2019, and for around 18 months of that they were used every single day. Despite a couple of scuffs on the toes and scratches on the sole they look like they could have been taken out of the box yesterday.

The main difference between these shoes and the other variants of the Republic is that they have a knitted outer with an internal TPU skeletal system to keep their shape and keep the foot in place.

2022 Giro Republic R Knit Road Cycling Shoes - instep.jpg

Giro has used its 'Xnetic Knit' which is made up of a blend of nylon and polyester fibres. The interesting thing about knitted shoes is that they allow for a diversity of construction without requiring different panels. So Giro simply adds more nylon fibres where rigidity is needed (like near the laces and towards the sole) and uses a higher proportion of polyester where rigidity is less important (like on the sides).

There is also a variety of knit used throughout the shoe and even across the same panel.

2022 Giro Republic R Knit Road Cycling Shoes - side.jpg

On top of the toe box the weave is much tighter because that is where it needs the most durability, while on the side of the shoe and beneath the laces the knit is much looser to allow for additional airflow.

One of the slight bugbears I had about the LX Rs was that they weren't as breathable as some; now, with their knit construction, these are considerably better. You can genuinely feel the wind over your toes when wearing them, which means they'll still be comfortable to ride in when the mercury begins to rise. There were a few times with the LX Rs when I forgot to take extra socks to the office on days when the temperature went over 30 and people in the office were as aware as I was that the shoes were not the most breathable…

One thing people are often concerned about is how well shoes with a knit construction hold the foot, and I am happy to say that the lacing system on these shoes combined with the strategically strengthened areas means there was no slippage and no hotspots. As with all lace systems, you lose the element of adjustability on-the-go that you have with Boa or even Velcro, but that's a given when you choose them.

2022 Giro Republic R Knit Road Cycling Shoes - inside.jpg

The only other thing that has really changed on the R Knit is the addition of a rubber toe guard. Although the previous versions don't scuff particularly easily, there are a few marks on the front that you would expect from three years of near enough daily use. So far at least, these new ones haven't scuffed and seem unlikely to in any significant way.

Giro has used the same sole design as earlier Republic models, which is no bad thing. It has four rubber walking buffers which have been designed with a curve that allows you to walk like a normal human being, rather than the kind of half-penguin, half-scuba diver stride you normally need to adopt with cycling shoes. These are incredibly easy to walk in – there isn't really a difference between walking in these and a pair of trainers.

2022 Giro Republic R Knit Road Cycling Shoes - sole toe.jpg

Beneath the buffers is the same nylon sole as previous Republic models, which certainly has a little more flex than something with carbon in it, but is still pretty good when you want to put the hammer down or when you're grinding up a hill. I wore these on several hilly rides and although there is a marked difference to a top-end carbon-soled road shoe, they are more than adequate for more everyday riding.

> 10 of the best flat shoes for commuting, leisure & urban cycling

Since using the LX Rs so much in the last few years it has also become clear to me that I actually prefer to have a nylon sole because, as Nancy Sinatra almost said, 'these (knitted cycling shoes) are made for walking', and having a carbon sole being delaminated by stones and rocks would just be so much worse than a few scratches on a nylon sole.

2022 Giro Republic R Knit Road Cycling Shoes - sole mid.jpg

As the shoes come with those fairly substantial walking buffers on the bottom, they are restricted to two-bolt cleats. This isn't the end of the world, but does mean you are a little more limited in pedal choice.

Another nice feature of these shoes is the reflective thread added to the laces which, although not exactly blinding, gives you an extra little bit of visibility in low light conditions.

2022 Giro Republic R Knit Road Cycling Shoes - rear.jpg

Weight isn't really a focus of these shoes, given their intended use, so coming in at 720g (360g per shoe) isn't class beating, but is still pretty good. The Bontrager Forays that we recently reviewed come in at 70g more, and the DMT GK1s are 27g heavier, so these still measure up pretty well.

Value

With an rrp of £149.99 in this colour, they're £20 cheaper than the LX Rs. Given that they are more breathable, innovative, and more environmentally friendly, that seems like a good deal.

The DMT GK1 Gravel Shoes I mentioned above come in at £40 more and don't have the same kind of foot retention, and only have a limited knit compared to the full shoe on the Republics.

> How to choose the best cycling shoes for you – a buyer’s guide

The Bontrager Forays are the same price, but don't have the knit construction or quite the same classy looks.

Conclusion

Overall, I was very impressed by these shoes. The knit construction adds breathability to what was already an excellent pair of shoes, and the addition of the toe buffer means you're not going to get scuffs and scrapes either. Okay, the sole could be stiffer and the lace system isn't good for on-the-go adjustment, but otherwise there is very little not to like about these shoes.

Verdict

Giro has taken an already very good shoe and made it even better with an innovative knit construction

road.cc test report

Make and model: Giro Republic R Knit Road Cycling Shoes

Size tested: 43

Tell us what the product is for

Giro says, "With the Republic R Knit™ cycling shoe, a supple sock-like knit upper combines with a co-molded nylon outsole and molded eva footbed so you can enjoy each mile with full support and total comfort."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Giro lists:

Upper construction

Engineered xnetic knit upper

Rubber toe guard

DWR treated

Reflective tubular laces are durable and hold a knot

Footbed

Molded eva footbed with microsuede top sheet and medium arch support

Sport

Cycling

Outsole

Co-molded nylon and rubber outsole with 2-bolt cleat mount

Mid-foot scuff guard

Product weight

310 grams (size 42)

Cleat compatibility

2-bolt mountain

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

I can attest to the quality of the older version of this shoe's construction, and with the added rubber area on the toe box it's improved even further.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

These perform well for commuting, touring, or gravel riding, and are excellent off the bike for walking in too.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

The previous version still look practically as good as the day I got them out of the box, so I can only assume these will have the same level of durability.

Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

Fit is very good; they hold the foot in place very well and I didn't notice any hotspots when wearing them.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight:
 
7/10

Not the lightest shoes on the market, but they aren't really designed to be.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10

The addition of the knit construction means the one slight bugbear around breathability that I had about the older version has been fixed.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Being cheaper than the older version whilst offering added breathability, innovative design, and decreased environmental impact makes them a pretty good deal.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

They aren't wipe clean like the older version, but I could still clean them up without much issue at all.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

They perform well, offering enough stiffness for most rides, with a good amount of breathability, and easy to walk in too.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Their breathability is a great addition to this shoe.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing of note.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

The DMT GK1 Gravel Shoes come in at £40 more, don't have the same kind of foot retention and only have a limited knit compared to the full shoe on the Republics. The Bontrager Forays are £149, but don't have any knit construction and don't have quite the same classy looks.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

Giro has taken what was already a very good shoe and improved it with the knitted construction. They excel when you're clipped in, but they're also designed with use off the bike as a real consideration, and I can safely say that I could (and in the old version have, in the case of a catastrophic puncture) walk miles in these shoes comfortably.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 33  Height: 6 ft  Weight:

I usually ride: CAAD13  My best bike is: Cannondale Supersix Evo

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed,

George is the host of the road.cc podcast and has been writing for road.cc since 2014. He has reviewed everything from a saddle with a shark fin through to a set of glasses with a HUD and everything in between. 

Although, ironically, spending more time writing and talking about cycling than on the bike nowadays, he still manages to do a couple of decent rides every week on his ever changing number of bikes.

Add new comment

17 comments

Avatar
holtyboy | 2 years ago
0 likes

I'm getting on well with Giro's HV sizing. It appears they have dropped this from their range. Can anyone describe the width of the standard shoes?

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fenix | 2 years ago
0 likes

Is it easy to get mud out of the weave ? I think I prefer the smooth fake leather shoes. Quick sponge and they're good to go again.

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hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
2 likes

These look like they'd be the kind of shoe that I'd consider, being an SPD user, but Giro is still part of Vista Outdoors which means that any Giro purchases will be in a small way funding the U.S. gun lobby. To be fair, they did pledge 1 million rounds of small caliber ammunition to Ukraine (they've been supplying Ukraine since 2015), but I'd rather my money didn't go to arms manufacturers.

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Rendel Harris replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
0 likes

Thanks for that info, crossed off my potential buys list.

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wycombewheeler | 2 years ago
1 like

can I get a cycling jersey that looks like a nice knitted cardigan, to go with my cycling shoes that look like slippers?

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Rendel Harris | 2 years ago
5 likes

I'm struggling to see why "two bolt only" is listed as a downside when it's presumably the biggest contributor to the biggest plus side "very easy to walk in"? I've never seen a review of a race shoe that's listed "three bolt only" as a downside...

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OnYerBike replied to Rendel Harris | 2 years ago
0 likes

They are called "road" shoes. Given Giro's shoes all seem to be classified as either "road" or "mtb" one might expect "road" shoes to be 3-bolt compatible and the "mtb" shoes to be 2-bolt only.

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mdavidford replied to OnYerBike | 2 years ago
1 like

Isn't that an argument for the negative being 'name is confusing', rather than 'two bolt only'?

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wycombewheeler replied to OnYerBike | 2 years ago
1 like
OnYerBike wrote:

They are called "road" shoes. Given Giro's shoes all seem to be classified as either "road" or "mtb" one might expect "road" shoes to be 3-bolt compatible and the "mtb" shoes to be 2-bolt only.

Except, they are not called "road" at all, other than in the headline above. Giro's product page uses the word road only once, in the sentance "A new nylon and rubber co-molded outsole provides improved durability and better traction for stable footing on roads, sidewalks and gravel when you're off the bike"

2 bolt is the best system, except for people racing, and people who want to emulate people wo are racing.

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mdavidford replied to wycombewheeler | 2 years ago
0 likes
wycombewheeler wrote:

Except, they are not called "road" at all, other than in the headline above.

Erm...

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quiff replied to mdavidford | 2 years ago
1 like

Hmm. Is that the UK site? The main (US) Giro site lists the 3 bolt Empire as a road shoe and the 2 bolt Republic as a MTB shoe, and only uses the word 'road' once with reference to the Republics, as wycombewheeler says.

Anyway, like others have said, I am all in favour of slightly wider choice of 2 bolt shoes. When I started cycling again as an adult c.10 years ago, I plumped for SPDs because I thought the double-sided pedals would make it easier to get used to clipping in. Despite riding only on the road, I haven't yet felt the need to 'graduate' to road cleats, so have always had more MTB-style shoes. I've bought a pair of these Giros as a first foray into a slightly more roadie style while keeping the walkability.  

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mdavidford replied to quiff | 2 years ago
0 likes

Yes - it's the UK site - the link provided in the review (under the slightly odd heading 'Contact'):

https://www.giro.co.uk/cycling-c45/shoes-c48/giro-republic-r-knit-road-c...

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IanMSpencer replied to Rendel Harris | 2 years ago
4 likes

Unless you had a specific Speedplay design, three hole cleats essentially means "Impossible to design a walkable shoe around the cleat".

Having tried a variety of cleats over the past decade, I've concluded that SPD-SL/Look style cleats are the reserve of racing riders and people who value their bones and want to avoid sitting on their backside in cafes really shouldn't be using classic road shoes. Hopefully the rise of gravel bikes will expand the availability of really good shoes for general road use.

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Rendel Harris replied to IanMSpencer | 2 years ago
3 likes

Couldn't agree more - a couple of years back I got fed up with the number of times I had to replace SPD-SL cleats, plus sliding all over wet cafe floors in winter, so put SPDs on all my bikes (road, ebike, hybrid and MTB) and very happy with them, cheaper (I've yet to have to replace an SPD cleat due to wear) and with the added bonus that I can use all of my four different pairs of shoes with any bike.

For training use in summer I've found Shimano CX shoes ideal, but yes, some of the new gravel shoes look fantastic, basically racing shoes with two-bolt cleats and a rubber buffer.

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jayinbarwell replied to Rendel Harris | 2 years ago
1 like

Does seem a bit silly when this is supposed to be a casual shoe and Giro also make a thee bolt knit racier shoe called the Empire.

As an aside I've been searching worldwide for these in a size 44 in the nice blue color they do (did?), can't find them anywhere.

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quiff replied to jayinbarwell | 2 years ago
0 likes

I think the blue may be old stock - I bought a grey pair last summer and the blue were only available in limited sizes then. 

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Sriracha | 2 years ago
1 like

They look great. When I'm cycling on holiday in France, I'm as much a tourist as a cyclist. I prefer to dress in a way that, whilst comfortable and practical on the bike, also passes for a regular tourist in shops and cafés. Not that the French have any hangups about cyclists generally, more that I feel out of place all dressed up à la bicycle whilst mooching around. These shoes could be the ones.

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