Sidi Wire 2 Carbon Cycling Shoe – Women’s

The Wire 2 Carbon Cycling Shoe is Sidi’s flagship women’s road shoe, and is the same as the men’s version other than using a tapered last that better mimics a woman’s foot shape. The resulting shoe is narrower across the ball of the foot, has less volume in the instep area, and has a narrower heel cup for a more secure fit. Compared to the standard Wire 2, the Air version features uppers that are more heavily perforated to provide some extra ventilation for warm weather riding. Otherwise, it sees the same updates that improve comfort over the previous generation of the Wire. These updates include the lower dial being relocated to the top of the tongue for a more comfortable fit, and a narrower instep strap that’s more flexible and has additional soft padding for a better feel against your foot.

Sidi shoes are well renowned for their comfort and stiffness, but Sidi hasn’t attained its dominance by resting on laurels and leaving innovation for its competitors. While many shoe brands will outsource it’s dial closures to BOA, the Wire 2 utilizes Sidi’s own Techno 3 dial. Most notably, it allows for adjustments of each of the shoe’s instep and forefoot buckles and is significantly more intuitive and easier to do while in the saddle. Loosening each buckle is a simple affair — you can pinch both buttons on either side of the buckle to unwind the line closure, or you can toggle each button for extremely precise incremental adjustment. Tightening the shoe should also be familiar: just open the buckle’s switch and wind the buckle. Sidi uses a supple, low-friction line material to keep the buckle action smooth. Not only does the Techno 3 make the shoe’s overall aesthetic even cleaner, but it also allows for an even greater degree of micro adjustability and fit consistency across the entire shoe. This ensures that you get the perfect fit every single time you buckle up for a ride. And for those who prefer as snug a fit as possible, the shoe’s Soft Instep Closure System has generous padding for supreme comfort with tight buckles.

Sole duties are handled by the Vent Carbon Sole, complete with a replaceable, polyurethane heel pad to improve walkability, and a replaceable, integrated toe pad/vent cover. The sole isn’t only impressive because of its efficient power transfer, thanks to its light weight and stiffness, it also aids in all-weather comfort. Using integrated vent and air channels, it allows for exhausting pent-up heat as well as increasing air flow. The vent can be opened in the summer to keep your feet cool and closed during those long base mile winter days. Sidi paid special attention to the layup of the carbon fiber and it features opposing angles that maximize stiffness while allowing for a small degree of controlled flex in the toe area. According to Sidi, this carefully designed flex biomechanically relieves stress on the plantar tendon and helps promote circulation.

Also returning from previous top-shelf offerings is Sidi’s vastly improved Heel Security System (or HSS) to keep your foot positively planted in the shoe. By means of a small Allen key, it’s an adjustable, rigid composite band that closes the shoe more securely over your heel to anchor it in place around your Achilles. So, no matter how much power you’re pouring into the pedals, your heel will stay in place inside the shoe. It’s a detail that allows you to cinch down the straps of your shoes less tightly — giving you more comfort along with more security.

With a degree of engineered flex in the Carbon Sole and a secure and slip-free heel, you won’t have to worry about hot spots. And you don’t have to worry about heat in the rest of your feet, either, with the Wire’s combination of Techpro Microfiber and ballistic mesh — giving you comfort, breathability, and durability.