When Giro and Aaron Gwin were developing the Chamber – a skate-inspired clipless shoe that can handle regular downhill abuse – we had our fingers crossed that the partnership would churn out some footwear gold. Luckily, after months of testing, we’re not disappointed.
When first donning these stealth beauties you notice how comfortable they are. The internal bootie retention system (the tongue), is attached with elasticated sleeves, providing a contour-hugging fit. A well-positioned Velcro strap holds feet snugly, and it’s far enough down to prevent pinching in the upper foot/ankle area.
Giro have positioned the cleat cut-out slightly further down the sole than other downhill-specific shoe manufacturers. It’s a little less pedal-efficient, but helps reduce ankle and lower leg stress when riding downhill. When it comes to pedalling, the Chambers are surprisingly stiff, without ruining confidence through the soles when unclipped, and they allow for efficient power transfer when cranking hard, without feeling rigid or clunky. The upper section has proved durable, emerging relatively unscathed from every sort of riding condition.
The Chambers’ balance of comfort and efficiency has made them our go-to shoe.
