Giro Empire SLX II Review 2026: Lightweight Lace-Up Race Shoes Tested
Giro’s Empire SLX has always stood out for one reason: laces instead of a BOA dial or ratchet. The Empire SLX II keeps that lace-up identity but rebuilds almost everything else — a new upper, a stiffer outsole plate, and a more adjustable fit system.
Key Specs
- Weight: 195g claimed (size 43) — up slightly from the original Empire SLX’s 185g (size 42.5), a small trade-off for the stiffer sole.
- Outsole: New forged carbon fibre plate, claimed +20Nm stiffness over the previous generation.
- Upper: Flat-knit Synchwire construction with built-in venting and a thermally bonded TPU skin for durability — 7 classic lace eyelets.
- Fit system: Supernatural Fit System footbed with swappable Low/Medium/High arch support chips.
- Price: £329.95, in stock now on Tredz.
Why Laces Still Matter
A dial gives you even, incremental pressure; laces let you tune fit zone-by-zone — looser over a bunion, tighter across the midfoot — which is exactly why the Empire line has kept a loyal following through the BOA era. The knitted Synchwire upper is the biggest change here, replacing a woven upper with something more breathable and closer-fitting straight out of the box.
Who It Suits
This is a race-day shoe for triathletes who prioritise precise fit over the fastest transition — laces cost you a few seconds in T2 versus a dial, but the payoff is a shoe that won’t create hot spots on a long ride. If quick transitions matter more, look at a dial-closure shoe like the Shimano 105 Di2 instead.
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