{"id":44960,"date":"2022-12-24T13:00:33","date_gmt":"2022-12-24T12:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=711056"},"modified":"2022-12-24T14:34:08","modified_gmt":"2022-12-24T13:34:08","slug":"first-look-these-coral-beauties-are-adidas-boldest-bike-boots-yet","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/first-look-these-coral-beauties-are-adidas-boldest-bike-boots-yet\/","title":{"rendered":"First Look | These coral beauties are Adidas\u2019 boldest bike boots yet"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Jack Luke\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 24 December 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Adidas\u2019 return to cycling is defined by retro football-boot inspired designs and lairy colours. This as-of-yet unreleased colourway is its jazziest yet.<\/p>\n

Originally launched in August 2021<\/a>, the Adidas Gravel Cycling Shoe \u2013 memorably unmemorable naming conventions also define the range \u2013 is a mid-range gravel shoe<\/a>, coming in at \u00a3160.<\/p>\n

The shoes sit alongside the Velosamba<\/a>, the Parley Road Cycling Shoes<\/a> and the Indoor Shoes<\/a>, not to mention the full range of shoes from Five Ten<\/a> \u2013 Adidas\u2019 sister mountain bike shoe<\/a> brand.<\/p>\n

Contrasting coral kicks<\/h2>\n
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Ankle gaiters are now seen on a number of gravel cycling shoes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Robyn Furtado \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The lace-up Gravel Shoes pair a dazzling coral recycled synthetic upper with a fetching mauve knitted ankle gaiter. Adidas describes the gaiter as an internal sock.<\/p>\n

Gaiters are seen commonly on football boots and are now found on a number of gravel cycling shoes, including the recently released Shimano RX8R<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The gaiter should help to keep trail detritus at bay and provide an extra level of weather protection.<\/p>\n

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The moulded lugs should improve grip on rough terrain.<\/span><\/figcaption> Robyn Furtado \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The white outsole is made from an unidentified synthetic material. However, like the brand\u2019s other cycling shoes, we expect it is made of glass-reinforced nylon.<\/p>\n

Thermoplastic polyurethane lugs (Adidas calls them walking pods) with a Lego brick-like tread are moulded onto the forefoot and heel of the shoes. A non-reinforced rubber rand in matching coral orange wraps around the toe.<\/p>\n

The shoes feel relatively flexible in the highly unscientific bend-it-over-your-knee test, which is a common feature of all Adidas cycling shoes we have tested.<\/p>\n

A bikepacking shoe for fashionable gravelistas<\/h2>\n
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If coral isn\u2019t for you, other options are available.<\/span><\/figcaption> Robyn Furtado \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Though it\u2019s unclear if having a stiff shoe actually makes you faster<\/a>, BikeRadar\u2019s Jack Evans<\/a> noted the Adidas Parley\u2019s bendy base<\/a> detracted from an otherwise good shoe.<\/p>\n

That said, stiffness is arguably less of a concern on a gravel cycling shoe, where being able to walk comfortably is important.<\/p>\n

On that, we think these could be a good choice for bikepacking trips<\/a> including a spot of cheeky hike-a-bike. Off the bike, the flexibility of the sole will be more comfortable than an immovably rigid sole. The gaiter will also protect your ankles from scuffs.<\/p>\n

Our size 45.5 shoes weigh 393g a piece, which is about average for a gravel shoe at this price point.<\/p>\n

If the fetching coral finish isn\u2019t to your liking, the shoes are also available in a classy black, Turbo Acid, Cloud White and oh-so-fashionable, gravel-compatible khaki.<\/p>\n

The size range is similarly comprehensive, running from UK size 2.5 right through to 14 in half-size increments.<\/p>\n