Sidi Shot cycling shoes

The Sidi Shot is without doubt the best looking boot on the market today. Sidi has married its typical Italian style with function using its own dial, the Tecno-3 Push retention system that sits on the tongue of the shoe.

It's good enough for Tour de France winner Chris Froome, so for us mere mortals it ought to fit the bill too.

>>> Cycling shoes: a complete buyer's guide

The two ratchets are easy to use and close around the front and top of the foot effectively without any pinching or restriction. Although it does work without issue, I wouldn't say it was the best retention system on the market. Boa seems to have that covered.

One of the main annoyances of the Sidi Shot is that the heel cups are loose, with the dial struggling to provide support around the upper ankle. The heel itself isn’t as supportive as those of the likes of Specialized and Bont. This isn't down to size – even with a set of thick winter socks I didn't feel secure in this area.

Sidi Shots are heavy. They sit porky, giving away over 50g grams to some of their cheaper rivals and weigh in excess of 287g each for a size 42 (UK 8).

On the positive side, the Sidis are comfortable and plenty stiff enough to cope with the demands of racing. I never felt hot spots or cramping of the foot. The upper is stiff yet comfortable, making the Shots a solid option for any budding racer.

However, at £350 you’d want to ensure these were exactly on point and they miss the mark on a few small details.

The final issue is the price itself. At £350 the Sidi Shot cycling shoes are one of the most expensive on the market. You can get better performance shoes for less, though they certainly won't look as good as the Shot.