6 cycling gifts for the head and feet
Three pairs of shoes and three helmets that make great gifts
For the head
The Mavic Ksyrium Pro helmet ($150) looks cool and keeps you cool. It uses 37.5 fabric, which has small particles embedded in it that take in water vapour. The Briko Ventus helmet ($230) sports 22 vents to keep you cool. Inside, it has a beefy pads that can lessen the effect of linear and rotational forces that affect the head in a crash.
Sunglasses maker Oakley released a line of helmets this year. The Oakley Aro 5 ($330) has a Boa retention system that snugs a thin, yet comfortable, polyethylene-fibre cord. It’s stronger than aramid. But more important, unlike some other retention systems, it won’t mess with the fit of your sunglasses.
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For the feet
With the Giro Empire E70 Knit shoes ($300) the sock is on the outside – well, not exactly. The upper is made of a knit material called Xnetic, which is quite supple and breathable. It has a durable water repellent coating to keep the wet out. Thermoplastic polyurethane parts and reinforcement provide structure for the knit material. The Mavic Cosmic Elite shoes ($200) offer two systems for setting the their fit. The Ergo Dial allows for precise adjustments at the top of the shoe, while two hook-and-loop fasteners with aramid straps hold fast at the midfoot.
The new Shimano XC5 shoes ($220) are meant for long rides, and the gravelly-er, the better. The strap in the middle of the laces lets you tune the tightness. You can loosen things closer to your toes and really cinch it higher up, or vice versa. The shoe comes in both men’s and women’s versions.
