Recently on Cyclingnews.com |
 Mont Ventoux Photo ©: Sirotti |
On test: Vittoria Premium Carbon, January 14, 2009
A comfortable racer
|
Vittoria's flagship buckled road shoe makes for a solid alternative to some better-known brands with its rigid pedaling platform and good long distance comfort according to Cyclingnews' Gregor Brown.
Vittoria has added two key features for the latest iteration of its top-end Premium Carbon road shoe: new Air Cushion padding for the main strap plus a completely redesigned carbon sole with an increased lateral cleat adjustment range and ample ventilation holes.
The Air Cushion padding does a good job of alleviating pressure from the main strap, even when cinched down tight and after several hours of riding. The fit is definitely snug in combination with the two forefoot Velcro straps and fairly stiff synthetic leather around the rear and there is little unwanted movement when pedaling hard.
|
Though the heel cup seems unusually wide from the exterior - and is more prone to crankarm rub as a result - it is suitably narrow inside and provides good heel hold. Vittoria also accommodates large- or small-volume feet with a three-position buckle anchor.
Vittoria naturally claims the ribbed 'Ultralight Carbon' sole is more rigid than before but any improvement from last year is nearly impossible to detect. Regardless, overall stiffness is what one would expect from a high-end full-carbon plate - which is to say very good - and the lightweight plate helps keep the Premium Carbon to a competitive 632g for our size 43 testers.
However, whether or not the sole's four newly added air vents help keep the foot's underside dry and cool is questionable. As with all sole vents, they are not directly oriented forwards so air isn't forced in very well. In the case of the Premium Carbon, any incoming air also still has to pass through the outermost mesh and felt-like shoe bed. However it is conceivable that the vents allow some heat to escape. Either way, it was not very noticeable.
|
Thankfully, the airy upper largely makes up for this with its ample open nylon mesh up front and thin mesh tongue. Perforated sole or not, overall breathability was still very good even on hot summer days.
Small issues aside, the Vittoria Premium Carbon provides a snug fit, good overall breathability, true Italian construction quality and styling, plus a stiff carbon plate.
Price: US$250; €210
Weight: 632g (size 43)
Pros: Snug and comfortable fit, true 'made in Italy' construction and
design, highly breathable upper, relatively lightweight, reasonable cost for
a carbon-soled Italian shoe
Cons: Bulky heel cup, seemingly ineffective sole vents
Cyclingnews rating: 
More information: www.vittoria-shoes.com
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Gregor Brown/Cyclingnews.com
- The Vittoria Premium Carbon weighs in at 632g a pair for size 43cm
- New Air Cushion padding in the main strap allows for a tight yet comfortable fit.
- The stitching is done just 30km away from the Vittoria headquarters in Vigliano Biellese.
- The heel cup is rather wide and is prone to crankarm rub but the tight-fitting interior still offers good heel hold.
- The silver V is for Vittoria and make for a nice look; reminding you of the past wins by Marco Pantani and Stephen Roche.
- Broad straps throughout distribute pressure evenly across the top of the foot.
- Mesh and perforations go a long way towards keeping the foot cool when riding.
- The silver high density nylon mesh is breathable and can be found on top and bottom of the Racing Premium.
- 'Anniversary' marks 30 years that Celestino Vercelli has been making shoes.
- The 'Ultralight Carbon' sole features newly added vents and more lateral adjustment for the cleat.
- Incoming or outgoing air has a lot of material to go through, however.
- Last year's carbon sole had no vents and more limited cleat adjustment.
- When Vittoria says these are 'Produced in Italy' it means it. Everything in the shoe - even the carbon plate - is either produced in-house or by a nearby facility.
- The ventilated tongue is thin an perforated.
