Test: The new luxury shoe Gaerne Carbon G. Stilo – is it worth investing more than 300 euros for a cycling shoe? Velomotion says "as almost always, it depends."
If professional cyclists wear overshoes even in the best summer weather, that's a bad sign. It doesn't mean that they have chronically cold feet - but that the sponsor's shoes fit them so badly that they have to wear other shoes and, of course, have to hide them. From this point of view, Gaerne shoes seem to be very popular in the peloton: the riders of sponsored teams like Lotto-Soudal, above all André Greipel, only wear overshoes when it's really necessary.
The new Carbon G. Stilo from the Italian manufacturer makes it clear why this is the case: When you slip them on for the first time, you get a pleasant feeling of space - the toes have plenty of room, which is the first requirement for a comfortable cycling shoe. If you have wide and/or high feet, you will get along with the Stilo right away. Custom insoles also find plenty of space in the Gearne footbed.
Extremely fine adjustment of the fit thanks to the two new Boa closures"
The second important point is to strike the balance between a snug fit and a pressure-free adjustment - and this is where the Stilo scores with its two Boa twist locks. The new type of Boa system is used on the Gearne top model: the shoes can not only be tightened in fine steps, but also loosened. The fit can also be adjusted extremely precisely on the bike. The shoes get narrower as you turn the wheels forward (ie, clockwise to the right, counterclockwise to the left), and wider as you turn them backwards. If you pull the adjustment wheels up, the ropes are completely released and you can easily slip out of the shoe.
"Even after four hours in the saddle, the shoe is hardly noticeable!"
A softly padded tongue under the thin steel cables ensures that they never press uncomfortably; Incidentally, the upper material of the shoe is pulled together far enough, even on feet with a high instep, to transfer a large part of the power when pulling on the pedal.
The typical Velcro strap on the forefoot could probably have been omitted, especially since it doesn't offer any effective adjustment options. But of course it stabilizes the shoe in the front area.
As is common today, the Stilo is made entirely of plastic. Except for a small mesh insert at the front, it is also made of a smooth material that is perforated for better ventilation. Of course, the small holes can't really have a cooling effect, nor can the openings in the sole. So on hot summer days you might be tempted to switch to a more airy model.
The screwed-on "heel" is good: at some point the glued-on cleats fall off with every shoe; here the entire unit including the screwed-on metal plate can be replaced.
On trips of up to four or five hours, the Stilo stood out because it was hardly noticeable - no pressure, no excessive feeling of warmth, and a pleasantly firm fit. It was noticeable that the Boa fasteners often had to be readjusted over the first few kilometers - it seems that the foot "settles" in the shoe and it has to be tightened. No problem with the Boa-Double on the Gearne Stilo!
The tester found the carbon sole extremely stiff – you certainly can't bend or twist it with your hands. Here, too, the Stilo seems to live up to the promise of all the pictures with cheering professional drivers that the shoe manufacturer shows on its homepage. Currently these are the Giro stage winners André Greipel and Nicola Boem as well as ex-pink jersey Simon Clarke.
The Stilo is available in sizes from 39 to 46, plus 42,5, 43,5 and 44,5. In size 44, the pair weighs exactly 600 grams, which isn't exactly breathtakingly light - but what's the point if a feather-light shoe doesn't fit properly?
Conclusion
The Gearne Stilo offers a lot of comfort for wider feet and can be optimally adjusted. It is not overly airy and light.
product Highlights
Good fit for wider feet, very good adjustability
price and web
- 349,90 €
- www.gaerne.com