New Giant Surge Pro road shoe loses weight but not comfort

By Jack Evans

Published: Thursday, 14 April 2022 at 12:00 am

Giant’s new Surge Pro is said to be the brand’s “lightest and most efficient” road shoe yet.

The 2022 Giant Surge Pro has a new carbon sole and hugs the foot as evenly as before, according to Giant.

Said to be for everything from “steep climbs to decisive attacks… and the long hours in between”, the Surge Pro remains a racer’s shoe.

Giant-sponsored WorldTour Team BikeExchange-Jayco are wearing the Surge Pro this season. Liv Racing Xstra WorldTeam are using the Macha Pro, women’s version of the shoe.

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The Macha Pro has the same tech and a women’s-specific fit.
Liv

Giant says the new Surge Pro delivers “superior toe-heel stiffness” to maximise pedalling efficiency.

An extra layer of carbon has been added to the 2019 Surge Pro ‘ExoBeam’ sole, creating a ‘dual-beam’ plate.

In the ExoBeam design, a narrow piece of carbon links the wide forefoot plate to the heel plate. As a result, a spine forms between the toe and heel of the shoe, making the uppers more rounded.

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The ExoBeam is the lighter strip running along the sole.
Giant

However, Giant says it redesigned the single-layer ExoBeam system following complaints from riders that the single-layer sole was not sufficiently stiff and didn’t fit wider, flatter feet.

Giant claims the new structure enhances power transfer while also flexing to reduce lower-leg strain.

Giant’s Ewan Campbell said the dual-beam design was first incorporated into the brand’s Charge Pro cross-country/gravel shoe in 2019.

“We demonstrated that we could still maintain the general torsional flexibility and secure toe-heel position of the mono-ExoBeam system while using a two-beam design for increased stiffness and power transfer, and more natural fit for more riders,” he added.

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Simon Yates rode the Surge Pro to a stage victory at Paris-Nice.
Nico Vereecken/PN/Cor Vos © 2022

At a claimed 510g per pair in EU size 43, the 2022 Giant Surge Pro sheds 7g from its 2019 weight. This still makes it slightly heavier than some of the best road cycling shoes.

Similarly priced shoes such as a pair of Specialized S-Works 7s weigh a claimed 450g in size 42, or a set of Fizik R3 Arias are said to weigh 486g in size 42.5.

Giant also says it has reconfigured the ExoWrap closure system, where cables from the lower Boa dials pass through the upper and instep of the shoe.

This is claimed to pull the foot into the shoe instead of pushing the rider’s foot down into the sole.

Two Boa Li2 dials per shoe adjust Dyneema textile laces for a wrap-around fit, Giant says.

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Vents are laser-cut to aid air flow through the shoe.
Liv

The Surge Pro has a new polyurethane mesh upper to boost ventilation. Its seams are welded rather than sewn to reduce weight and increase flexibility, according to Giant.

A removable sock liner within the upper affords adjustable arch support. Giant says a TransTextura Plus antimicrobial layer “produces a cool, balanced foot climate in all conditions”.

Giant adds that SharkSkin material in the heel cup secures the rear of the foot.

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The Chromaflair option will appeal to disco slipper fans.
Giant

The Surge Pro is available in black, white and iridescent colourways. It costs £299.99 / $399 / €360. Giant is yet to confirm Australian pricing.

Giant’s sister company Liv has released a women’s version of the Surge Pro. The Macha Pro uses identical technology, but has a narrower heel cup to better fit women’s feet.

Available in full sizes from 37-43, and white and purple colourways, the Macha Pro weighs a claimed 450g in size 42. Pricing is to be confirmed.