In many ways, Shimano is one of the market leaders in the field of components. For several years, however, the Japanese have also had an increased focus on the production of high-quality functional products in the clothing sector. At the forefront of these developments in road racing is the R320, a professional shoe that led Marcel Kittel, among others, to four stage victories in the Tour de France this year.
I was also able to get an impression over the course of the season. You can find out how the shoe fared in the races I drove in the following report.
//equipment and features
The R320 has been on the market for almost a year now. It is the legitimate successor to the already very well equipped one R315, but it is a lot lighter and stiffer. Probably the most important innovation is the use of a carbon hollow chamber sole with Dynalast technology. Developed in collaboration with WorldTour pros like Simon Gerrans, this is designed to help prevent energy loss on long rides. In addition to the last, the shape of the heel was also improved R320 revised. The insole can be individually adjusted using various arched wedges. The shoe can be fixed to the instep with asymmetrically attached Velcro and a ratchet fastener. In addition, he can R320 be thermoplastically adapted to the shape of the foot.
//Practice
I have the R320 used in both road and stayer races. Right from the start I was impressed by the good fit of the shoe. The closure in the clamping area is good and reliable, but you have to tighten the Velcro fasteners after heavy loads. My test model was covered with white Rovenica leather, which was still in good condition even after longer rides in the rain, although cleaning the ventilation inserts required a little more care than the leather. It is therefore advisable to resort to overshoes at such moments, not least to keep the shoe in good shape and shape for longer.
The heel offers the foot a stable and good support. Instead of the supplied insole, I used a sole that was specially tailored to me. Together with the extremely stiff carbon sole of the R320 However, this guarantees optimal power transmission to the pedal. This also contributes to the compared to R315 slightly increased mounting area for the plates.
I have the R320 used in both road and stayer races. During the entire testing period, I did not experience any problems with the fit. There were never any pressure points, even on very hot or humid racing days. About doubt that was R320 sublime at all times.
//Conclusion
The R320 is a shoe at the professional level in every respect. If you want to give your feet a second skin for the time on the bike, Shimano's top model is the right choice. Although he belongs R320 not one of the cheapest models on the market due to all its properties, the price seems justified in terms of equipment and performance. In any case, I was enthusiastic about the shoe throughout the season. And he probably will continue to do so!
//Product highlights
- very good adaptability
- high quality
- stiff sole for good power transmission
//price and web
- 389,95 Euros
- www.paul-lange.de