Lace up Shoes

jamieluton

Im looking at replacing some ageing Shimano shoes I have.

I am considering some lace up shoes as I feel like they would give be a better ability to control how tight they are, is this a correct assumption?

Other random factor is I seem to have narrow heels so have found when trying on some brands they are a bit sloppy around the heels, so the gripped texture to the inside of the heel also is feature I have been looking at. Again any experiences of this I would be grateful to hear your views

Would be good to hear your experiences of lace up shoes and if you have any recommendations that would be ace! Looking to spend about £100.

Thanks

fenix

I replaced my laces with elastic ones for triathlon and duathlon. I don't believe you need the shoes that tight unless you're sprinting.

super_davo

I've got some Giro Empire SLX and they are fab.
Admittedly very high end but I paid £120 for them on a very good sale so only just over your budget.

The good points:
Stupidly light. They feel about half the weight of my Fizik R3s
If you adjust the laces right slipper comfortable (and stay that way all day)111
Aero (especially with covers on for TTs)
Stylish

The bad points:
Takes much longer getting on and off and fitting right etc - bit of a faff for short rides
If you don't tuck the laces in well can flap about & potentially get in the chain
If you don't get the fit right at the start of the ride, you're stopping if you want to correct

So ultimately, if you take your time to get them just right at the start of a ride there are a lot of advantages, but if you just want to hop on and ride, probably look elsewhere.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

DHB Dorika Carbons, comfy and very light, the camo version is less "in your face" than I thought it might be.

jamieluton

N0bodyOfTheGoat said:

DHB Dorika Carbons, comfy and very light, the camo version is less "in your face" than I thought it might be.

I spotted those too, had any issues when really gunning for it on a steep climb? ( not that im any form of powerhouse)

jamieluton

@N0bodyOfTheGoat
Thank you for the feedback good insight, being that I live in city centre, when heading out it tends to be for a couple of hours.

When climbing tough inclines would you notice that they are laces? I think in my head I have this association with standard trainers in my head that of course don't fit as securely.

DeVlaeminck

Just bought some Giro Empire. Now I should add I've not actually ridden in them yet but first impressions are they are very secure -:fit slightly smaller than Shimano all over.

acswong31

I run DHB Dorico plastic soled items, they are great bang for buck, was originally worried about being to tight and needing to adjust on the fly, but I have never once had to adjust, sprinting climbing no problems in or out of saddle. I will definitely purchase a pair with carbon sole soon.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

jamieluton said:

N0bodyOfTheGoat said:

DHB Dorika Carbons, comfy and very light, the camo version is less "in your face" than I thought it might be.

I spotted those too, had any issues when really gunning for it on a steep climb? ( not that im any form of powerhouse)

No, no issues at all (I did a new 1min PB of 7.5W/Kg recently up a local short steep ramp) having bought them ~12 months ago, just bare in mind they size big so go a size lower than normal.

imposter2.0

Boas can regulate the 'tightness' of shoes much more effectively (and much more efficiently) than laces, IMO. Laces seem a bit 'retro' and a bit of an anachronism in this day and age.

pippi_langsamer-2

I don't get lace-ups at all. How on earth you dial-in fit I don't know. There's nothing more practical in terms of adjustment than a dual Boa setup...

Yes, I've used lace-ups.... Back in the 80's.

DeVlaeminck

imposter2.0 said:

Boas can regulate the 'tightness' of shoes much more effectively (and much more efficiently) than laces, IMO. Laces seem a bit 'retro' and a bit of an anachronism in this day and age.

Maybe as effectively as laces but certainly not much more effectively.

Yes laces are retro but if you like retro that's good.

The only real downside of laces is adjustment on the fly.

teisetrotter

I had the Empires for about two summers and they were good shoes but not anything special. I too thought that laces represented the most flexible closing system and actually they are. My hiking, running and cricket boots attest to that. However, they are only partially better than boa's. Also, there is one big drawback. You can't adjust them on the fly which in the end became an annoyance, especially in hot weather or hard races.

I would say that the inner support within the Giro is excellent, especially the high support, they come with three. The heel support is OKish and the level of comfort good.

In the end, I trashed them in an off. I have since replaced them with Sidi's which have two Boa's and a heel brace system. Once I had replaced their inner with the Giro inner I had, I think the best of all worlds. I loved the look of the laces, but I wouldn't go back. Lastly, I think it's a good footbed that makes a shoe fit the best ..... I'll invest in some after the lockdown.

pippi_langsamer-2

DeVlaeminck said:

imposter2.0 said:

Boas can regulate the 'tightness' of shoes much more effectively (and much more efficiently) than laces, IMO. Laces seem a bit 'retro' and a bit of an anachronism in this day and age.

Maybe as effectively as laces but certainly not much more effectively.

Yes laces are retro but if you like retro that's good.

The only real downside of laces is adjustment on the fly.

This is what I don't get. Every cycling shoe I've eve used "gives", a little after the first few miles on the bike. Whether it's natural leather, Kangaroo hide, or synthetic (Dyneema even). Boa allows me to quickly and safely take up any initial slack. I can't imagine that with lace-ups. You'd either have to do them up overly tight to begin with, make-do with a looser fit after a while, or stop to adjust.

gsk82

imposter2.0 said:

Boas can regulate the 'tightness' of shoes much more effectively (and much more efficiently) than laces, IMO. Laces seem a bit 'retro' and a bit of an anachronism in this day and age.

I agree with this. They're purely for fashion. You can't adjust the tightness on the move like you can with every other closure system either.

You won't notice a big difference either way for general leisure riding though.

daniel_b

Startfitness have these Scott shoes for £80 (Down from £200), and if Extra10 still works that takes them down to £72 + P&P.

Sizes 40-43 iirc, oh and they come with the laces pictured and a black set if you want a more subtle look.

https://startfitness.co.uk/scott-road-lc-lace-cycling-shoes-black-251814-5533.html

mfin

OP, i would ignore the laces consideration. The thing with shoes is to keep trying different makes and models until you find that cinderella shoe that fits you bang on. Once you find that you will likely not care whether it has laces, velcro or boa. It can be a long journey to finding just the right shoes but they might well be out there.