Diadora

Vortex Comp Shoes - Men's

If that title seems contradictory, it's only because manufacturers have, by and large, struggled to design a shoe that blends all-day comfort with race-level power, and we think that's just because they haven't tried hard enough. Diadora's figured it out, at least, with the Vortex Comp Cycling Shoe, a stiff and powerful kick that actually puts as much emphasis on serious comfort as on pedaling rage.

Racing centuries, say, or competing over even longer distances will take a toll on your feet, so Diadora hooked the Vortex up with a Hi-Vent insole and perforated insert to improve breathability, and made sure the strong but supple Suprell-Tech upper was also perforated to increase airflow. You can also optimize the level of arch support to increase comfort. Diadora also built the upper with a Morpho AM soft TPU cage and Duratechheel support to lock your foot in place, especially during upstroke, and outfitted the Vortex with a ratcheting Boa closure that provides a snug but pinch-free fit over the instep. Towards the toes, two hook-and-loop straps function basically as "set it and forget it" volume adjusters, so you don't have to fiddle with them constantly (they also open from inside to out, so you can adjust them on the go if need be).

Comfort is dialed, for sure, but Diadora also had to make sure power came to the party. It did, in the form of the Comp Road KR carbon-reinforced sole, which rates an 8.5 on Diadora's 10-point stiffness scale. It transfers plenty of power into the pedals without transmitting all the road vibration into your feet, which makes it perfect for the rougher roads you're bound to encounter on longer rides.