Riding with overshoes is always a clunky experience. I’ve honestly stopped riding intentionally when conditions warrant them. But, when temperatures rise just enough to ride outside or if conditions might shift during a long ride, the Giro Imperial II All Season Road Shoes are just the ticket.
Giro Imperial II AS Road Shoe Features:
- BOA Fit System featuring Dual-Dial Li2 for micro-adjustability
- All-new one-piece woven TPU monofilament mesh upper for comfort and breathability
- Unidirectional forged carbon fiber outsole plate with 2Nm increased stiffness
- Supernatural Fit System with adjustable arch support for enhanced fit and pedaling efficiency
- Unidirectional Forged Carbon Plate for improved performance
- Thermo-bonded TPU upper for durable and breathable construction
- Weight: 280 grams (each, size 45, actual)
- MSRP: $449.95
Not impervious, but capable
Indoor training is much more my style when temperatures are below 40 during the winter. But, when riding from 40-65 degrees, it’s always nice to have a little more protection from the wind and potential rain showers. The foundation of the Giro Imperial II All Season (AS) is identical to the new Imperial II, but what’s different are the uppers. The regular version is optimized for extreme airflow and breathability — with huge mesh panels — but the All Season version is made to cut through chilly temperatures while keeping your feet warm and protected.
The one-piece woven TPU uppers only have minimal ventilation holes to maintain warmth and keep wind and moisture out. With technology from motorsports, the forged UD carbon fiber outsole is Giro’s stiffest on offer and allows 100% of your power to be transferred to the pedals. I found it easy to dial in my proper cleat placement and make sure they are securely in place.
Giro’s Supernatural Fit System is a superb way to find the proper arch support. The Imperial II AS comes with three sets of supports (low, medium, high) and comes with medium out of the box. While I have low arches, I’ve typically found a home with stock insoles and arch supports. I’ll share more experiences with those below.
Of course, the pinnacle of road shoe closures, in my mind, are those using BOA Fit System Li2 dials. Some of these dials are plastic and others feature metal dials. Giro has gone with the super light alloy dials with super-grippy edges. Dialing in my proper fit is a breeze and tweaking it along the way is equally easy. I do love the fit system, but do wish that Giro had gone with a little more ergonomic lacing pattern and tongue to better mimic the shape of the foot.
When to go “All Season”
Admittedly, these are a bit of a niche road shoe. But, don’t think they are just for bad weather or cold temperatures. They are more versatile than you’d think, but they do have their limits. After a couple of indoor training rides, I took them out in the cold on purpose. My initial ride was to test the thermal properties of the uppers. With morning temperatures in the low-40’s (Strava said 40 degrees). I intentionally used a pair of ultralight socks and found out very quickly that while the Imperial II AS shoes do absolutely block the wind, there is little thermal warmth on offer. My feet never froze, but the cold wind pounding against the uppers did allow my feet to feel the cold.
While I did feel the cold, it wasn’t a direct wind and that’s where these shoes showcase their all-season capabilities. Had I been wearing a more breathable shoe, I can guarantee that my toes would have been absolutely frozen. The solution? When temperatures are truly cold, just wear a little thicker Merino sock for added warmth. I would much rather wear these than shoe covers.
I haven’t had the chance to ride directly in the rain, so my wet-weather testing has been mostly simulated. These don’t feature a waterproof membrane, but instead feature minimal ventilation holes that are protective of rain entering, to an extent. Light rain and moisture will shed right off and not enter the shoe, due to the tight weave and minimal pores. Under constant pressure (under a faucet), I did find that water will enter the uppers. Compared to traditional shoes, the Imperial II AS might as well be “waterproof” but don’t think you can wade through streams and remain dry. I’ll say this… your feet will be warmer, drier and more comfortable with these shoes.
The forged carbon outsole doesn’t have any vents in it and the knit construction as the uppers attach to the outsole don’t allow direct water or air entry through the cleat ports. That outsole is built using motorsports technology and is wicked-stiff. The shape and design of the sole and uppers don’t feel overly stiff. I have noticed that the raciest shoes can feel fatiguing over time, but I haven’t felt that here at all. With a generous heel cup and a secure fit, my feet are always locked in.
Adding more details on the fit, Giro has selected BOA’s TX3 woven laces instead of the common metal core ones. That provides more individualized flexibility in where the laces sit on the shoe. They also provide more uniform pressure across the uppers. But, I do wish for a little more ergonomic lacing and upper design. I still do love the uppers and lacing design of the Shimano S-Phyre RC903 and find them to cradle my feet like no other. Here, the flexible laces to slide smoothly through the eyelets and the uppers do offer a solid fit.
Where I have run into some issues is with the narrow width of the Imperial II AS. I’ve become accustomed to a little wider last as of late and the Imperial II is decidedly traditional in shape. With that, I have felt a little pressure on the outside of my mid foot where the uppers become particularly narrow below the BOA dials. I tested the high arch inserts in an attempt to reduce that pressure. While it did reduce it, I didn’t feel as comfortable with the arches. So, the minimal discomfort remains livable as opposed to going with the high arches. Give each insert a try — the velcro attachment system makes it easy.
The uppers have proven to be durable and only show minimal scuffing. Toe protection from tires is minimal, but luckily, the new Cannondale Synapse I’ve been testing them on has zero toe overlap.
These shoes are expensive and do have a limited temperature profile for their use. As temperatures have increased, I have noticed that they do get a little warm inside without much ventilation. However, even on cool summer mornings that warmed up into the 70’s, my feet haven’t ever felt too hot. On the indoor trainer, they have also remained comfortable, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that they absolutely do feel warmer than more porous shoes (which shouldn’t be surprising).
Fit: I’m wearing a size 45 and have found them to be on par with the size 45 I wear in Shimano and 44.5 I wear in Trek shoes.
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The Bottom Line
Good “AS”
The Giro Imperial II All Season Road Shoes excel in temperatures between 40-65 degrees, offering a great balance of protection from wind and potential rain showers while keeping my feet warm and comfortable. They’re ideal for riders who want a versatile shoe that can handle various conditions and are more versatile than you’d think. Layer them up on colder rides and recognize that they aren’t truly waterproof, but will extend weather protection beyond what a traditional shoe will. The unique forged carbon outsole and Supernatural Fit System provide excellent performance and support. Their narrow last does put some pressure on the outside of my feet, but it won’t prevent me from grabbing these shoes when the conditions are just right.
The Good:
- Blocks direct wind to keep my feet warm
- Just enough breathability
- Forged, stiff carbon outsole delivers the utmost performance
- Much better than wearing shoe covers
- BOA Li2 Fit System offers easy micro-adjustments
- Flexible TX3 laces offer better contouring
- Supernatural Fit System offers easy fit flexibility
- Impressive, top-notch construction
The Bad:
- Traditional, narrow width may not fit all feet
- Don’t expect them to be fully-waterproof
- Really expensive, niche shoe that can’t be your only shoes
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Breathability
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Weather Protection
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Stiffness
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Fit and Adjustability
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Value