After recently testing a few of the new high-end offerings from Specialized and Shimano in the cross-country and gravel space, our team were eager to test out Giro’s contender, the Sector.
The Giro Sector is targeted at the pointy end of the cross-country and gravel segment, although it comes with a much more palatable pricetag. Over the years, we’ve put a number of Giro’s more enduro-focused shoes to the test, including their latest Chamber II shoe, which impressed with their short break-in period and grippy sole.
The Sector shoe features dual BOA adjustment on each shoe, and as is standard in the majority of high-end cross-country shoes, a carbon composite plate in the base of the shoe to improve rigidity and pedalling efficiency. After coming off Giro’s Eva soled, laced Republic shoe for gravel riding, test pilot Jono was immediately impressed with the improved fit of the shoe.
The flexible one-piece upper on the Sector employs Giro’s Synchwire material which we were particularly keen to try out to see if it delivered on its bold performance claims. This stitching-free upper is said to improve the shoe’s fit, power transfer and airflow, and we’ve got to say it’s impressed us so far. The shoes we’ve had on test fit comfortably straight away for Jono and required very little bed-in time. The upper material combined with the BOA L6 dials delivers a secure fit across the entire foot, and the dials can be adjusted in 1mm increments to get the fit exactly right. This meant that there was little to no discomfort even during break-in time.
Compared to ratchet strap cross-country shoes and lace-up shoes, the fit is vastly better, and we were left with no loose spots at all on the top or sides of the foot. The Synchwire material hugs your entire foot, instead of other systems that seem to only pull down from above.
The BOA dials can be easily wound tighter during a ride, although releasing them mid-ride is a slightly more fiddly process. We’ve always been big fans of the BOA guarantee, which covers the product’s lifetime, and they can be replaced easily if necessary.
The rubber used on the soles makes provides plenty of grip when walking off the bike. This has been particularly handy when walking in the wet or slippery rocks out on the trail. You can confidently step without fear of hard plastic soles slipping out from underneath you. The reflective tab on the heel is a nice touch to improve your visibility while on the bike.
Weighing in at 342 grams, the Sector shoes are only 44 grams heavier (and about $300 cheaper) than the new Specialized S-Works Recon. Other similarly priced shoes we’ve tested come in a touch heavier than the Sector, including the Fizik Vento Ferox, weighing in at 351g and the Shimano XC9 at 386g.
After putting in just over 300km on the new Sector shoes, we can say confidently say they’ve held up very well. The soft rubber soles show minimal signs of wear, and the BOAs continue to work like new despite a healthy serving of dust and water thrown at them.
The shoes have proved stiff and comfortable for long rides, with no noticeable flex through the shoe’s sole. We tested a size 43 that fitted true to size, although this shoe might be narrow for those with wider feet. With their lightweight, competitive price and incredibly comfortable fit, the Sector shoes are a serious contender in the performance gravel and cross-country space.
