Giro

What does the GIRO brand stand for?

The brand stands for stylish design and best fit. In the bike sector, the GIRO range extends from bike helmets, clothing and gloves to cycling shoes. All GIRO products are perfectly tailored to the body of the rider, so that they improve the riding experience sustainably and contribute to increasing athletic performance.

The aerodynamic bike helmets are equipped with the latest technology for the best possible protection, and their functional design offers ventilation openings that provide pleasant air conditioning under the helmet. The unique ball-and-socket design redirects impact forces and combines market-leading design, performance and brain protection without compromising comfort, ventilation, weight or style.
GIRO shoes impress with their light weight, ultimate comfort and super-stiff soles. All Giro cycling shoes have a wide range of high performance technologies and features to ensure that each Giro shoe is the best it can be.
In addition, GIRO offers modern extravagant or rather simple clothing that perfectly fits your individual style and is equipped with many useful features, such as reflectors or practical pockets. GIRO gloves also have a super comfortable fit, exceptional pressure distribution and are breathable to boot.

What pedal systems are there?

There are many types of pedal systems and a variety of shoes to fit both the pedals and your riding style, so how do you choose the right shoe with the best technology, fit and performance for your needs?

Whether you're riding on the road, gravel, singletrack, commuting or just for fun, all riders have one thing in common: they need a comfortable and secure connection between their feet and the pedals. The foundation of any cycling shoe is the outsole. From a flat-pedal mountain bike shoe like the Jacket II to the pro-level Imperial, Giro cycling shoes are designed to efficiently transfer power from your legs to the pedals. Carbon fiber outsoles offer unmatched strength and stiffness without adding weight, but this performance comes at a price, as carbon fiber is a labor-intensive material to manufacture. True carbon panels must be layered by hand, the material is heated in a mold and then sanded and/or painted. Injected composite panels offer impressive stiffness with a simpler manufacturing process.

Pedals generally fall into two categories: Flat or clipless pedals (sometimes called "clip-in"). It's worth noting that there are also some pedals on the market that combine a flat side with a clip side, giving you the option to use either side depending on your shoe preference or riding style.

What are flat pedals?

Flat pedals are popular with a wide range of riders, from recreational cyclists to serious mountain bikers. Flat pedal shoes are not meant to be "clipped" into the pedal, as they are (as the name implies) flat on the bottom. So you can just hop on and go. The system works with the pins of the pedal and the rubber of the sole of the shoe, creating a connection for power transmission. Dismounting is also a breeze, simple and intuitive. The position of the feet on the pedals can be adjusted as desired.

What are clipless pedals?

Clipless pedals (or clipless pedals) are used by riders who appreciate the feeling of connectedness that allows for higher cadence and higher effort levels required for competitive sports and racing. Clipless shoes feature a stiffer sole and clip into the pedals via a cleat that attaches directly to the bottom of the shoe. They require a little practice, but they are designed to release in the event of a fall, and you'll appreciate their benefits if you're looking for performance.

Why are they called "clipless" when you clip them in? In the early days of cycling, road cyclists used metal cages and leather straps called clips on their pedals to connect their feet for maximum efficiency. The term "clipless" is reminiscent of the old days when this type of "clips" was still required.

There are two main types of clipless pedal systems, and each has unique advantages, which are described below:

Click pedals (clipless) with 2-BOLTS.

The 2-bolt system (sometimes called "SPD" or "SPD-style") is most commonly used for mountain bike pedals and shoes. The cleat and pedal can be small and are designed to shed mud and debris common to mountain biking, gravel and mixed surfaces. The smaller 2-bolt system also allows the cleat to be recessed into the sole of the shoe. This facilitates walking and allows the use of shoes with different types of soles and their requirements and terrain, from aggressive trail riding to indoor spin courses.

Click pedals (clipless) with 3-BOLTS.

The 3-bolt system (sometimes called "look" or "look-style") is used almost exclusively for road bike pedals and shoes. The cleat and pedal provide a larger surface area to create a very stable and efficient platform that supports maximum effort required for sprints and high-intensity pedaling. The 3-bolt system requires a shoe with a stiff sole and does not allow the cleat to sink into the sole of the shoe, allowing for a less natural way of walking off the bike.

No matter what pedal you choose, always make sure the shoe fits the pedals well.

What to look for in road cycling shoes?

In general, the stiffer and lighter they are, the better. Since they originated in racing, specialized road cycling shoes are light and stiff enough to provide maximum pedaling efficiency. The fit is snug and the heel firm to stabilize the foot in the shoe, and they have a smooth outsole that is usually made of sturdy nylon, carbon fiber, or a combination of these materials. While not designed for extensive running, they do have small heel and toe pads that provide some support and protection.

Dedicated road cycling shoes are designed for clipless pedals only, and use either 2- or 3-bolt cleats on the bottom that snap directly into the pedals.

Because they offer very little flexibility and the cleats protrude from the sole, they should not be used for off-road riding or riding that requires extended periods of walking (bike touring, mountain biking, bike transport, etc.).

What to look for in recreational cycling shoes?

Recreational shoes are designed for cycling around town, indoors, or for leisurely rides. They are a mix of casual shoes and pure cycling shoes and offer a good blend of comfort, versatility and pedaling efficiency. They are not as stiff as dedicated road cycling or mountain biking shoes, making them easier to run in. They also feature a supportive and durable upper that stabilizes the foot as you pedal while repelling rocks and dirt, so they don't wear out as quickly as regular pedals. They also feature a grippier sole that provides more traction.

Recreational cycling shoes come in both flat and clipless styles. Shoes with flat pedals are easier to wear, while shoes with clipless systems offer more performance and efficiency.

What to look for in mountain bike shoes?

As with road bike shoes, it is important to choose a pair that fits well and provides good support and comfort while riding. The foot should feel stable in the shoe, the arch should be well supported and the heel should fit firmly.

Mountain bike shoes are stiffer than athletic or skate shoes, but not as stiff as road bike shoes. Whether click or flat shoes, the outsoles are designed to provide good traction and grip on the pedals and in the dirt so you can ride or walk safely on dusty, muddy or wet trails and terrain.

Clipless mountain bike shoes have the same advantage as road bike shoes. When you're clipped into the pedals, it's easier to ride over rocks and roots, easier to do so-called "bunny hops," or easier to control your bike in technical situations. In addition, it's easier to maintain a higher or more powerful pedaling motion in racing or training.

If you decide to use a clipless shoe/pedal combination, make sure the cleat position is set correctly for the best comfort and performance. If you're not sure how to do this, or if you're having trouble with knee pain, foot discomfort, or the like, contact a professional bike fitter or local bike store.

Mountain bike shoes with flat pedals have the advantage of being very natural feeling and intuitive. Your feet naturally know where to pedal, and you can make small adjustments as needed. It's also easier to put a foot down if you want to avoid a fall in a tight corner or during an emergency stop. With flat pedals, you'll have to make some compromises. Since your feet are not locked into the pedals, you may slip or bounce off the pedals (especially possible in wet or very rocky terrain). Unless you've spent some time mastering some skills, moves like bunny hops and side hops, as well as lifting the rear wheel, can be more difficult to perform because you can't rely on the clipped-in linkage to help you pull the wheel up. Last but not least, it can be difficult to maintain a high cadence for an extended period of time.

What kind of closure system is there?

Laces are the most tried and true system, providing a custom fit and comfort over the entire foot. They are also lightweight, can be easily replaced when needed. You can customize the look of your shoes with a wide range of colors. One drawback is that they are not as easy to adjust (like a latch system) and can get caught in the chain.

Quick laces combine the benefits of a traditional shoelace with a pull tab, so you can simply pull on the laces to tighten them, then snap the pull tab to maintain tension. They are lightweight, easy to use, and provide a reliable closure even in difficult conditions.

Velcro® straps (also called Velcro® straps) provide a quick, intuitive closure and stretch less than laces. The performance of these straps can sometimes be affected by extremely muddy, wet conditions, so it is important to keep them clean.

Dial systems, like the BOA® system used on Giro shoes, allow the dial to be effortlessly rotated to tighten the shoe through a system of cable laces. Premium versions allow micro-adjustments in both directions for a quick, precise fit. They adjust in a snap and feature a quick-release system that allows them to be released after a ride. As with Velcro systems, performance can sometimes be affected by extremely muddy, wet conditions, so it's important to keep them clean.

What are the benefits of wearing a GIRO helmet?

BALL-AND-SOCKET CONSTRUCTION
Spherical Technology's ball-and-socket design, supported by MIPS®, helps redirect impact forces away from the brain by allowing the outer liner to rotate around the inner liner in the event of an impact. It also avoids contact with hard plastic or sliding surfaces on the skin.

PROGRESSIVE LAYERING
Dual density liner is designed for high and low velocity impacts for more comprehensive energy management.

SEAMLESS INTEGRATION WITH MIPS®
Spherical Technology allows for optimal integration of MIPS®, the market-leading brain protection system designed for rotational movement to provide additional protection in certain impact events.

UNRESTRICTED VENTILATION
Maximum cooling performance without obstructing vents or internal ducts.

LUXURIOUS COMFORT
Optimal fit with soft padding and excellent moisture management.

PROVEN PERFORMANCE
Helmets with Spherical Technology have won multiple awards, received a 5-star rating from a leading independent testing lab, and are the top choice of elite riders worldwide.

FITS YOUR STYLE
Helmets with Spherical Technology are available for road, gravel, mountain, ski and snowboard.

DEVELOPED IN THE DOME
Spherical Technology was developed in the Bell+Giro Dome, a world leader in head protection design, testing, research and innovation.

What is MIPS?

Mips is a patented Brain Protection System (BPS) available in almost all Giro helmet models. It provides more protection than the helmet's outer shell and shock-absorbing foam liner in certain impact events and helps reduce rotational motion transmitted to the brain - especially in the first critical milliseconds.

It's important to recognize that no helmet, even one equipped with mips, can prevent all possible injuries. But by reducing the energy transmitted to the brain, the risk and severity of brain injury can be reduced.