Review: Sidi Ergo 3

The Sidi Ergo 3 road cycling shoe is packed to the gills with technology. These pedal-pushers are outfitted with enough straps and buckles to make Houdini drool all over his penny-farthing.

Up top, there's Sidi's new Techno II buckle, a line-and-dial tightening system that gives you a more accurate fit than a ratchet closure. There's some Velcro below that to keep the forefoot snug. The Ergo 3s also use Sidi's familiar heel-retention system, a caliper buckle on the back of the shoe that tightens and grips your foot from behind. This keeps your heel securely planted on the carbon sole, which comes with little vents you can open or close.

But despite having all the fancy buckles, straps and vents, or maybe because of them, the Ergo 3 just works. Indeed, once I got past my initial fascination with Techno II buckle and adjustable venting system the shoe seemed to disappear onto my foot about as well as any shoe I have ever worn. On rides short and long, I did not find myself fidgeting with the strap or buckles like I am prone to do with other shoes.

Some of my riding partners have found Sidi shoes to be lacking in volume, and therefore lacking in comfort, but we all agreed the new Vent Carbon Sole is stiff and comfortable.

Sidi has a done a brilliant job keeping the lust for its brand high while still pushing the technology envelope.Venting is all the rage in bicycling shoes at the moment – Pearl Izumi has its Direct Vent technology, Shimano makes a multi-layered control mesh and Diadora's got its own Power Flow venting tech. Sidi has taken the concept one step further with an adjustable venting system where you can open or close the forward vent based on your riding conditions. Living in the Bay Area, I didn't notice any difference with the vent open or closed. But coming from the Midwest, just the thought of my shoes being slightly warmer in the spring and fall and slightly cooler in the summer is reason enough to embrace the idea of it.

I've been enjoying Sidi's heel-retention system since the introduction of the Sidi Dragon 2, and although I didn't feel any appreciable difference from the previous version, I'm still a fan of the idea. The system gives just that little bit extra grip to keep your heel in the cup.

Sidi has a done a brilliant job keeping the lust for its brand high while still pushing the technology envelope. Unfortunately for company, Sidi also builds a product that will last for years to come, oddly making the Sidi Ergo 3 a bargain at $400.

WIRED Instant Euro cred. Best fit of any Ergo shoe to date. Replaceable heel pad. Built to last.

TIRED Might want to stick with black if you are going to keep these for years to come. Instant Euro cred.