{"id":46743,"date":"2023-02-21T01:01:28","date_gmt":"2023-02-21T00:01:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=715964"},"modified":"2023-02-21T02:34:09","modified_gmt":"2023-02-21T01:34:09","slug":"first-look-cafe-du-cyclistes-first-cycling-shoes-look-like-hiking-boots","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/first-look-cafe-du-cyclistes-first-cycling-shoes-look-like-hiking-boots\/","title":{"rendered":"First Look | Caf\u00e9 du Cycliste\u2019s first cycling shoes look like hiking boots"},"content":{"rendered":"

The retro design has aesthetic and performance appeal <\/p>

By Stan Portus\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 21 February 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Caf\u00e9 du Cycliste has a reputation for making trendy cycling kit, often using Breton stripes that make you look as if you\u2019ve cycled through the set of a Wes Anderson film.<\/p>\n

The brand has now released its first road cycling shoes<\/a> and gravel cycling shoes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Caf\u00e9 du Cycliste\u2019s press release stresses these are indeed cycling shoes, despite how they look, and the gravel shoes we\u2019ve been sent certainly look more like hiking boots than your typical cycling footwear.<\/p>\n

These boots are made for pedalling<\/h2>\n
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You can now dress in Caf\u00e9 du Cycliste \u201cfrom head to toe\u201d.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

These gravel shoes are said to be the missing piece in the brand\u2019s style puzzle, now enabling you to dress in Caf\u00e9 du Cycliste \u201cfrom head to toe\u201d.<\/p>\n

The shoes look a lot more like retro hiking boots, particularly those made by Norwegian Paraboots, which have come into vogue in recent years.<\/p>\n

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The laces loop around hooks at the top of the shoe.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
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The heel has a red strip with the Caf\u00e9 du Cycliste name in black.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
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The bottom of the upper has a rubberised strip running around the shoe.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

The Caf\u00e9 du Cycliste gravel shoes share a number of things in common with more fashion-conscious boots, beyond their leather uppers.<\/p>\n

The contrast laces extend far down the shoes and are threaded through metal D-eyelets before running under metal hooks at the top of the shoes. There is also a rubberised border around the bottom of the upper. This should protect the leather upper from scrapes.<\/p>\n

\u2018High performance\u2019<\/h2>\n
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There is an elastic loop to hold the lace in place.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

It\u2019s not just about the looks with these shoes, according to Caf\u00e9 du Cycliste. The brand, based in Nice, France, says the gravel shoes are \u201chigh performance\u201d.<\/p>\n

The leather uppers are said to be robust and comfortable, and the metal eyelets will reduce friction \u2013 and presumably wear \u2013 on the laces.<\/p>\n

The tan outsole is made by SUPtraction, which also provides outsoles for Suplest. The rubber blend was designed for mountain terrain, according to Caf\u00e9 du Cycliste. There is \u2018Fishgrid technology\u2019 on the heel to minimise slipping.<\/p>\n

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The rubber sole is said to be grippy.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

There is a 3K carbon shank beneath the outsole for rigidity to aid power transfer, and Solestar insoles are said to help with stability.<\/p>\n

As can be expected from a gravel shoe, these shoes are compatible with two-bolt cleats<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The shoes weigh a claimed 370g in a size 43. They retail for \u20ac300.<\/p>\n