Review: The Lace-up GIRO Stylus XC Shoe

Lace-up cycling shoes have long had a cult following. Back in the day, that’s all there was, then Big Velcro took over. Thankfully, hook-and-loop is now relegated to also-ran status in favor of BOA Fit System or laces. The truth is lace-ups were, are and will always be cool, comfortable and simple. Luckily, there are also affordable lace-up options like the GIRO Stylus XC that crushes gravel and XC riding with style.

GIRO Stylus XC Features:

• Co-molded nylon and rubber outsole for durability and traction
• Mesh panels for increased airflow and fast dry times
• EVA foam footbed with interchangeable arch supports for enhanced comfort
• Lace-up fit with lace tab
• Available in whole sizes from 36-48
• Colors: White, Black or Dark Sage (tested)
• Weight: 291g (size 43)
• MSRP: $124.95

Lace-em up, rip up the trails

This test happened in a last-minute change because of one thing — laces. Recognizing that I hadn’t tested lace-up shoes in awhile, I shifted gears with my request and requested these instead. Admittedly, I do love the BOA Fit System (and there’s a lot to love), but laces have been the way we’ve cinched up our shoes for centuries and that’s a lot of people voting with their feet.

Along the way, lace-up cycling shoes got lost in a sea of ratchets and velcro. Over the past 20 years, BOA Fit System has done their darnedest to overtake those 1990’s-era clunky fit systems, but laces still stand out as a tried-and-true fit system. Every lace-up shoe I’ve worn still nails it in a way only laces can.

For starters, the insoles offer GIRO’s customizable arch supports to suit your exact fit. While I have low arches, I always opt for the standard arch supports. But, try them all and find out what’s best for your foot shape. I dig that GIRO offers that on all their shoes — it’s a nice touch. While the GIRO Imperial II AS Road Shoe features a definitively-racy overall fit, the Stylus XC offers a little more of a forgiving last. I appreciate that and you will too on those long MTB or gravel rides. One slip inside and the combination of the uppers and laces makes for a foot-cradling experience. As my hundreds of miles can attest, my feet remain locked in to the deep heels cups and allow me to focus on riding. Every foot movement and pedal stroke is translated perfectly to the bike.

It does take a bit of unlacing at the top two eyelets to put them on and take them off, but cinching them back down for the proper fit is a breeze. And, while I thought the laces should be a little longer for good measure, they do tuck inside the elastic loop just fine and have stayed put throughout all of my rides. If you have high arches or wide feet, the laces may end up being too short to tuck away.

These come with a two-bolt cleat design for MTB and gravel. I dialed them in with a set of LOOK SPD cleats and they lock in place perfectly and the outsole treads don’t interfere with entry/exit or normal float. They offer a wide placement range that will certainly put you in the right position for thousands of comfortable miles. If you are replacing an old pair of shoes, be sure to keep at least one cleat in place for comparison before retiring those old kicks.

Of course, you could spend a hundred bucks more and get something with carbon midsoles for an ultra-responsive ride, but for gravel and MTB, the stiffness of the Stylus XC is sufficient. And, with a little bit of give, they don’t feel overly-fatiguing. I’d call the stiffness just right for normal riding and all-day comfort. If you’re racing, have deep pockets and are trying to eke out every last watt, maybe the GIRO Empire SRC is your jam.

My testing has been entirely on gravel aboard the OPEN UPPER 2.0. That bike is made for speed and the Stylus XC’s haven’t held me back at all. Pushing hard on long climbs or pedaling out a standing sprint are all perfect for these shoes. Yes, you do notice a little bit of flex compared to the raciest shoes, but it’s not holding me back. While the last is a little wider than GIRO’s road shoes, I do still get a little bit of pressure on the side of my feet, behind the 6th-toe area. It’s not enough to cause long-term pain or bruising, but I would love a little of TREK’s METNET mesh in that area, if I had my druthers.

It’s easy to point out that these shoes don’t have a whole lot of mesh in the uppers. And, with that, you’d guess correctly that they aren’t the most breathable shoes for hot days in the sun. Most of my riding is in the morning hours, so I didn’t have issues, but as the days got warmer, I did wish for a little more breathability. However, for shoulder season and winter riding they are perfect. Durability of the uppers has been great — with no signs of wear even after a season of abuse.

The Stylus XC’s are supremely-walkable. If you’re keen to walk around before or after a ride, or if your rides have hike-a-bike sections, you’re in luck. Each step is smooth and comfortable and the outsoles offer outstanding traction. You won’t find removable toe cleats here and that’s just fine with me. I value my wood floors more than the occasional need for toe-off traction on a Le Mans-style start.

Fit: I wear a size 45 in every cycling shoe, except TREK and that’s the case here. The 45’s fit perfectly.

Buy Now: Visit GIRO or Your Local REI