The first time I saw these shoes was back in 2011, when Rick Hunter came to visit us in Japan. I was naturally surprised by how large his shoe size was, but at a time when high-vis colors were starting to become the trend, we were captivated by the rugged design of a black body with a gum sole that seemed to say, "I don't care about the trends!"
Giro is based in California, USA, and handles a wide range of high-quality items including helmets, shoes, and apparel. Located in a state home to countless frame builders, they face their rides with a focus on off-road terrain, creating standards for a variety of cyclists. It is also this brand that created the shoe that can be called synonymous with lace-up cycling footwear: the Empire.
Looking around, many brands are aggressively releasing shoes with carbon soles. While the light weight and efficient power transfer of a carbon sole certainly lead to improved ride quality, is that what everyone is looking for? I don't think so.
Back when I was racing cyclocross in the C1 category, I used carbon soles for a while, but I couldn't handle the stiffness of the sole, and since I'm the type who often carries my bike through mountain trails, I grew to prefer nylon soles. What I realized then was that the Japanese market lacked good SPD shoes that were not strictly competitive but approached the mass market instead.
It was in that context that I found these Privateer R HV shoes—they are exactly what we were looking for.
Even today, when various shoes are being released—from those with high fit adjustability like laces or BOA dials to competition models that utilize the stiffness and light weight of carbon soles—we chose Velcro and a buckle paired with a nylon sole, thinking about what "basic" really means.
The nylon sole, which is neither too stiff nor too soft and provides just the right amount of traction on the pedals, is softer than a carbon sole, making it recommended for touring by train, trail riding where you do a lot of bike-carrying, or even cyclocross racing. The outsole has also been updated to molded nylon/rubber, which is durable and provides grip even on uneven ground.
The simple black body combined with the nostalgic gum sole design is a standard I want to keep using regardless of the era. Precisely because we live in an age where many high-spec items are circulating, this is a well-balanced shoe that is easy for anyone to use. By adopting an HV / High Volume upper, it provides a fit that is easy for many Japanese people with high insteps and wide feet, which is another great point.
We have carried them before, but this is the long-awaited arrival since the design and specifications were updated. Of course, this is a Circles exclusive standard that is not in the domestic lineup.
For us, these are the best shoes—they are "good enough" in the sense that they are perfect, and they are also "the ones we want." Please try them on. We are waiting for you with a full range of sizes, including half-sizes.