Ekoï is a French producer that in all probability isn’t as well-known within the North American market, however they provide footwear to quite a few totally different professional groups, corresponding to Lotto-Dstny, Israel-PremierTech, Cofidis, and Arkéa-B&B Accommodations. In addition they provide footwear to particular person riders who’re on groups that don’t have an official shoe sponsor.
The C12 Professional Workforce are Ekoï’s high of the road footwear to fulfill the wants {of professional} cyclists. Carlos Rodriguez/Ineos Grenadiers, Valentin Madous/Groupama FDJ, and Guillame Martin/Cofidis all trip the C12 Professional Workforce footwear. And new for 2025 is Michael Woods/Israel-Premier Tech. Not unhealthy firm to maintain if you wish to trip and look EuroPro.
Ekoï C12 Professional Workforce Highway Biking Footwear – $474.99
These are Ekoï’s high of the road footwear meant to fulfill the wants {of professional} cyclists.
Per Ekoï:
Initially designed for skilled riders, the Ekoï Highway C12 Proteam shoe combines a really excessive stage of efficiency with indispensable consolation given the intensive use. It’s the results of greater than three years of analysis and improvement in shut collaboration with skilled cyclists near EKOÏ. The shoe is a really delicate product for an expert rider and it have to be as shut as potential to perfection.
Higher
- Professional becoming near the foot: most assist
- Excessive quantity within the forefoot: for lengthy, scorching outings in summer time and in competitors
- Wrap-around development/slipper impact
- Real stitched leather-based materials / sturdy/breathable as it’s 100% perforated
Outsole
- 3 sole vents to maximise airflow and maintain dry toes
- Commencement system, which permits exact and repeatable shim adjustment
Ortholite® insole
- Twin density to offer assist to the arch and heel
- Meta pad promotes blood stream when pedaling and avoids discomfort within the toe field by barely spreading the toes
- Breathable through open-cell PU foam and perforations on the entrance on the sole openings
Tightening:
- BOA® Match System with Twin-Dial Li2
Weight 240g (measurement 42)
Accessible from 39 to 47
Chuck Peña PEZ sez: Sure, sure … I do know, I do know … These are bloody costly footwear. We’re speaking Jimmy Choo/Christian Louboutin territory. However that’s the value of admission to trip what the professionals trip. That mentioned, their pricing isn’t out of line in comparison with related pro-level footwear from different producers. In case your checking account (or bank card restrict) can afford them (and your important different doesn’t threaten to depart you), the Ekoï C12 Professional Workforce footwear are proper up there with “one of the best of one of the best.” And did I point out that these are tremendous snug?
Please learn on …
Sizing
Crucial factor with any pair of biking footwear is getting the precise measurement. Simply since you usually put on a specific measurement shoe (in my case, US measurement 9), don’t assume that would be the proper measurement.
In line with Ekoï’s sizing chart, a US measurement 9 is their Euro 42.5. In addition they present sizing primarily based on foot size. I do know from sizing with different manufacturers that use foot size that my foot measures 265 mm (10.4 inches), which equates to in between Euro 41 and Euro 42, based on Ekoï. Complicated to say the least. After consulting with my good good friend, Tim Jackson, who usually wears Euro 46.5-47 measurement footwear however went Euro 46 on his Ekoï’s and informed me “they match very well, are fairly fantastic, and simply maintain getting extra snug,” I made a decision to go together with Euro 42. I attempted them on instantly upon arrival and am completely satisfied to report that they match like a glove (I do know … combined metaphor).
Primarily based on my and Tim’s expertise, the Ekoï C12 Professional Workforce footwear are undoubtedly a case of why “attempt before you purchase” is all the time a very good factor, if potential. In case you’re shopping for on-line, be certain that the retailer has a return/change coverage you may dwell with.
Development
I mentioned on the high that the Ekoï C12 Professional Workforce footwear had been tremendous snug. One of many causes for it’s because the higher is constructed with leather-based (perforated all through, so extra a heat/scorching climate shoe), which is uncommon as of late as most producers have opted for artificial materials. One of many first issues I seen once I unpacked the footwear was how comfortable/supple they had been. The opposite factor I seen was how mild they felt.
Ekoï specs 240 grams for measurement 42
Along with the comfortable leather-based, the first cause for the Ekoï C12 Professional Workforce footwear being so snug is their development. The uppers of conventional footwear (suppose costume footwear or sneakers) have a tongue with a vamp on each side and are tightened up pulling the vamps in the direction of one another through the lacing system with the tongue filling the void. The higher of the Ekoï C12 Professional Workforce is 2 items that overlap one another with out a tongue (suppose burrito-like). So while you tighten up the BOA dials, the 2 items basically wrap round your foot. The consolation stage is tough to explain — elegant and one thing you undoubtedly should really feel to understand.
The Ekoï C12 Professional Workforce higher is 2 items of sentimental, supple, and really perforated leather-based that wrap round your foot like a burrito
As you’d anticipate in a pair of high-end racing footwear, the only is carbon fiber for optimum energy switch plus venting for airflow. Not like many different producers, Ekoï doesn’t say that the soles are X stiff on scale of Y (as a result of there isn’t a commonplace scale for measuring/evaluating stiffness).
Ekoï selected braided carbon fiber with a matte end for the only
The venting is obvious with the insole eliminated
For strolling about at espresso stops, the only is protected with toe and heel pads (however they’re not replaceable). NOTE: Chances are you’ll wish to tape over the toe and underfoot venting in chilly/moist climate.
Commonplace LOOK 3-hole mounting for cleats (in the event you’re like me and trip Speedplay pedals, you’ll want an adaptor plate). I like my cleats such that the ball of my foot is simply barely ahead of the pedal axle spindle and had no drawback positioning them far sufficient again to do this.
Match
My preliminary response the primary time I placed on the Ekoï C12 Professional Workforce footwear was “slippers.” (NOTE: The overlapping 2-piece higher of Ekoï C12 Professional Workforce footwear required pulling them aside as a lot because the BOA laces would enable to open them up sufficient to get my toes into — so not fairly as simple as slippers.) As soon as on, the uppers simply enveloped my toes (low arch, so comparatively flat-ish) with a “barely there” really feel. Even with the BOA dials cinched right down to lock my toes in place, they had been comfortably comfortable with out feeling too tight (and there was no digging in of the BOA laces throughout my instep).
The Ekoï C12 Professional Workforce is a comparatively low quantity shoe, however the toebox is a bit more rounded than another footwear to permit a bit extra room up entrance (for instance, when your toes swell a bit driving in scorching situations). For me, my toes weren’t being squeezed collectively and had simply sufficient room to unfold out with out feeling like I used to be swimming within the footwear. The heel counter/cup was comfortable and comfy on the again finish — a safe match with no slip.
Extra rounded toebox
Stiff and deep heel counter/cup to forestall heel slip/elevate
The BOA Li2 dials with micro-click adjustability allowed me to superb tune the match so the footwear had been “good” tight sufficient to search out the candy spot that optimizes tightness of match to maximise energy and effectivity with sufficient consolation to permit circulation so you may maintain pedaling.
Though pretty ubiquitous as of late, in the event you’re new to BOA 2-way dials: push down to have interaction, flip ahead to tighten, flip backward to loosen, and pull as much as launch. Being 2-way, they’re fairly easy-peasy to regulate (tighten or loosen) on the fly while you’re driving.
One factor that’s a bit bit totally different with the Ekoï C12 Professional Workforce footwear are the insoles. Along with offering padding/cushioning, they’ve a metatarsal pad (aka Metpad) underneath the ball of foot space. When you concentrate on the fixed downward stress of the pedal stroke (particularly with a stiff carbon fiber sole), the Metpad can present #marginalgains shock absorption/consolation.
In line with Ekoï, the metatarsal pads promote blood stream when pedaling and assist keep away from discomfort within the toe field by barely spreading the toes
Trip like Mike!
Most of my driving up to now within the Ekoï C12 Professional Workforce footwear has been indoors on my KICKR BIKE SHIFT. However that’s not a foul check for footwear with as much as 2 hours of fixed pedaling and being a slave to watts. Open air has been on my common Hilton Head Island Sunday group trip that’s all the time quick with a “energy climb” up and over the Cross Island Bridge in each instructions. For me, a very good check for footwear being principally within the huge ring and having to place down fixed energy in my quest to maintain up with the heavy hitters.
Driving within the Ekoï C12 Professional Workforce footwear is about as snug as snug will get with their slipper-like really feel on my toes — even with BOA dials cinching the leather-based higher to lock them down/round my toes. The carbon fiber sole is greater than stiff sufficient for me to switch energy to the pedals and put down watts (nevertheless meager these is likely to be). However not punishing with what I name “carbon sole fatigue” the place the only “pushes again” and causes discomfort — no scorching spots or stress factors. I might really feel the Metpad underfoot. Undoubtedly a distinct really feel and takes a bit little bit of getting used to. I can’t say that they do what Ekoï claims, however they weren’t bothersome or uncomfortable.
It’s nonetheless technically winter right here within the Lowcountry, however the temps have been warming up and I’m trying ahead to driving within the Ekoï C12 Professional Workforce footwear on some longer rides in what they had been designed for: heat/scorching climate. I’ve no cause to consider they gained’t be as much as the duty.
If pro-level footwear are what you aspire to, the Ekoï C12 Professional Workforce footwear tick all of the bins. Did I point out that they’re tremendous snug? Two phrases … extremely really useful.
You can also trip like Mike!
Observe: When you’ve got different experiences with gear or one thing so as to add, drop us a line. We don’t declare to know all the things (we simply indicate it at occasions). Give us a pat on the again in the event you just like the opinions or a slap within the head in the event you really feel the necessity!
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