Diadora

Vortex Comp Shoes - Men's

For all purpose, everyday shoes that will still show up on race day, the self-sponsored cyclist need look no further than Diadora's Vortex Comp Cycling Shoes. The Comp Road KR outsole tells the story of these shoes well, as it's a carbon-reinforced synthetic polymer that achieves an admirable 8/12 on the stiffness index. If you're not riding on the satin-finished roads of the Tour, then this stiffness strikes the ideal balance between efficiently transferring power without transferring road noise into your feet.

The Vortex's feature the same race fit and Suprell-Tech Morpho AM Cage technology as Diadora's more expensive offerings. Like them, the Vortex Comp stays tight against your foot without constricting circulation. Inside the upper, the EVA insert is perforated to further promote breathability, and you can optimize your level of arch support to your own foot shape. The molded, abrasion-resistant Duratech heel support keeps your foot from slipping, but is also removable if your feet demand it.

The closure system incorporates a Boa wire system — almost mandatory for quality cycling shoes today — and two hook-and-loop straps. The BOA wire lets you fine-tune the fit at the top of your shoe, where the most pressure is applied to the upper, and the hook-and-loop straps let you adjust the pressure as needed on your mid-foot and metatarsal area. Anyone who's experienced hot spots will appreciate this three-pronged approach, as it lets you customize the shoe's fit across your foot.