There are only a few pieces of cycling equipment that I would rather have comfortable than light weight, even though weight is still a big part in my decision making. That said I really based the choice to buy the G.Keira shoes on price. I was able to get them at a great deal, so I decided to give them a try. For the price I got them at, I thought why not they have all the qualities I’m looking for. These features include a rubber sole, high quality material, a durable design, and yet still a very elegant looking shoe. And after a full season of cyclocross and mountain biking I have learned quite a bit about these shoes.
First what I liked about these shoes. The best part of these shoes was their tread. None of that plastic outsole crap that has almost no grip, but real rubber that actually grips when running or walking. Another thing that I love about these shoes is their velcro strap system. The straps have a ratchet system that ensure that they stay tight while riding. It also allows them to stay tight even when the velcro gets worn out. Unfortunately those are really the only two things that I liked.
Now for the bad, and it is a pretty long list. First even though I loved the rubber outsole, it came off in big chunks and half way through the season it was nearly all gone. Also the velcro straps with the rachet system on them made the shoes hard to take off. So the things that made the shoes good while riding made pre and post ride a pain. The buckle would also sometimes make it difficult take off the shoes, because it would get clogged with mud and jam. Along with them being a pain after rides they could be a pain while riding too. If too tight I would get hot spots, and if too loose my heels would slip. They also have a very narrow toe box, so I had a hard time finding the right amount of tension in the straps.
When I was deciding to get a carbon sole or not I tried to think about durability, so I chose the non carbon version. But even with the added durability they did not last that long before rocks and missed pedals started to take its toll. They also shrunk after a couple of wet races, which made them a little too tight to wear thick socks when it got cold. Not only was the sole not very durable, but the buckle racket also didn’t last. It fell off during a ride, so now I have to buy a new one for 20 dollars. But at least I can replace it.The weight didn’t exactly help me get over the lack of durability. They weigh a hefty 500 grams per shoe, making them a full pound heavier than my new Mavic Fury’s.
For these reasons I will be retiring these shoes for the most part, and will only use them in case something happens to my race shoes. I wouldn’t buy these shoes again, but for people who have narrower feet than I do, they could be very comfortable. But be sure to try them on, and if you are going to race cyclocross get one size bigger! If you are willing to spend a bit more and get the carbon sole version, it would make them much lighter and more worth the money.
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