Introduction When creating a product insight, my aim is to provide a mix of research and experiential information. There are instances when friends are using the same product, and they help me to increase the level of information provided by contributing their own experiences. In this instance, my friend Astrid Schartmuller, a dedicated cyclist and accomplished amateur racer has kindly assisted me with this this article.
Astrid is based in the Dolomites, in Italy making her cycling experiences frequently different to mine in the UK. Grant During the last few years my work environment has changed significantly and spending the day in formal shoes has become a thing of the past. Until this happened, I never realized how much the design of formal shoes was influencing the shape of my feet, but I am now at a point in which the majority my earlier footwear is no longer comfortable, as they now feel too small and the wrong shape.
This circumstance coincided with Q I decided to check out the road version. My cycling shoes must look good but must be comfortable too. Grant The technical features, and appearance of the shoe made them really appealing, and after trying for size, I chose to purchase a set. A recent foot measure had identified size 43, and this corresponded with the size of Unique shoe that fitted well. When placing my foot inside the Unique shoe, there was an immediate difference compared to other cycling shoes I have used, in that the opening incorporates an elasticated fabric, instead of a tongue.
This felt comfortable from the off. Shoe closure is achieved via two Boa fastenings. These are positioned to enable fit and feel to be fine-tuned. The system fitted to the shoe enables a high level of micro adjustment. Although not visible, this feature really contributes to the overall feel and performance of the Unique shoe. I really like the Power Wrap and Boa combination, as the foot feels retained and supported, but not compressed. The footbed of the Unique shoe is formed from high density foam also found in their chamois insert.
I have friends who swap this for a custom footbed, but for me, I like this footbed, as its cushioned feel is another key component in how comfortable the shoe feels, throughout a ride.
