The Rapha Pro Team Road shoe is best for short, hard, mid-week training rides or races. I that’s your primary need though the Rapha Pro Team shoes shouldn’t be your first choice. Despite that, I have done plenty of six to eight-hour rides with them and they work. Long solo rides through the country don’t require ultra-stiff shoes. I’m not doing these types of rides at the moment but they would also be a good match for short, hard, mid-week training rides. The Rapha Pro Team road shoes are so stiff that over the time I’ve been using them I’ve moved them primarily inside for racing on Zwift. One of the stiffest carbon soles I’ve ever ridden in. Adjust the BOA system so that it’s tight but not uncomfortable and your foot will not move separate from the shoe. The ultra-stiff sole is then combined with a narrow, grippy, heal cup and a precise fit from the knit upper. These are some of the stiffest shoes I’ve ever ridden with. Often knit shoes are best for climbing and all-day rides while stiffer shoes use bulkier materials. Knit cycling shoes tend to be towards the lighter, less stiff, end of the spectrum. The first point of discussion of the fit has to be stiffness. Double BOA adjusters make for fast fit customization.
The Pro Team collection is fast, lightweight, and precise so the instant micro-adjustability of the BOA system is a good match. Think about how Rapha positions their pieces though and the choice makes more sense.
Although Giro is the modern brand most well-known for laced shoes I kind of expected Rapha would go in that direction as well. Personally, I find this somewhat surprising just from a style stand point. BOA dials provide precise adjustmentĪ pair of BOA dials handles closure, and adjustment, for the Rapha Pro Team road shoes. The front is not replaceable and not high enough to protect the shoes from toe rub. The rear heel cap is replaceable should you wear through it. At the bottom of the shoe is a shiny carbon sole with fixed cleat holes and plastic feeling heel and toe caps. The tongue uses a traditional split design rather than the wraparound style some companies are using right now. The rest of the design is no less precise and high tech but it is more conventional in a shoe of this caliber. Knit upper is precise and looks good but it’s hard to clean. It allows the entire upper section of the shoe to use just a single out of the way seam. 3D knitting technology allows for more precise shaping without unnecessary seams or material. The synthetic design provides breathability and flexibility while keeping the weight low. The Powerweave knit upper has to be the biggest feature of the Rapha Pro Team Road shoes. Checking to see if the performance is on par with expectations. I’ve spent the last few months testing these new Rapha shoes. It’s a high tech, high performance, product and, as with most Rapha gear, a joy to look at.
The new Rapha Pro Team road shoe is entirely a Rapha creation. Gone are the days of rebadged Giro based models. This February Rapha dropped a new pair of road specific shoes. Ultra-Stiff, ultra-precise, and easy to adjust.
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