First Look: Giant's New Line and Shuttle Shoes 3

Not content with what the market already had to offer, Josh Carlson, Marcelo Gutiérrez, Eliot Jackson and the rest of the Giant Factory Racing squad helped to develop new Giant shoes to meet the needs of enduro and DH racers. A major emphasis was put on reducing water retention and deformation when wet through the use of hydrophobic materials throughout. Both shoes feature deep and long cleat slots to allow riders to find the optimum position, even if that's back further than normal. We also dig the use of TransTextura Plus, an antimicrobial insole to keep the funk at bay.

Line Trail Shoe

The Line shoe has a tacky rubber sole with a nylon midsole plate and engineered flex zones tuned by Giant's Pro Enduro World Series racers. The upper has a single ratchet buckle system with two Velcro straps. We were previously told it will be offered in two colors down the road.

"This new off-road shoe is designed to perform in all aspects of trail riding, on or off the bike. Line provides efficiency and grip while pedaling, plus total comfort and protection for big days in the backcountry. Designed with Giant’s Motion Efficiency System, including ExoBeam sole technology and the ExoWrap 360-degree foot enclosure, it’s made with a durable QuickFit upper that is lightweight, breathable and hydrophobic, so it resists absorbing water and is quick to dry."

Shuttle DH Shoe

On the DH side you'll find the Shuttle shoe with a wider forefoot and one-piece upper. It uses a single Velcro strap and lace enclosure system.

"This new off-road shoe is built for uncompromising performance on aggressive DH terrain. Designed with Giant’s Motion Efficiency System, the Shuttle blends clip-in pedaling efficiency with unbeatable traction and durability. It’s made with a durable QuickFit upper that is lightweight, breathable and hydrophobic, so it resists absorbing water and is quick to dry. Everything you need to nail new lines and clock faster times."

Features & Technologies

In Giant's words...

1 - ExoBeam: Unique MES Nylon midsole plate combines stiffness in the forefoot, where most of a rider’s power is applied, with strategically engineered flex zones that reduce tension and strain in the lower leg. The result is enhanced power transfer, better stability and traction on rough terrain.

2 - ExoWrap: Works in harmony with the ExoBeam to produce a unique foot enclosure for better fit. The design optimizes foot support by pulling up on the arch, which helps improve power transfer, comfort and stability.

3 - ExoFlex: Built-in flex zone allows the toe area of the shoe to optimize the natural flex of the toes and provide better traction and stability on uneven terrain.

4 - QuickFit Upper: Seamless hydrophobic material upper provides excellent protection and ventilation. It features a single ratchet buckle system with two hook-and-loop straps for simple on-the-fly adjustments.

5 - Protection: An aggressive, wider, full-coverage rubber tread offers excellent traction and stability while also protecting the toe box area from obstacles on the trail.

6 - TransTextura Plus: Removable single-density EVA insole with features TransTextura Plus antimicrobial technology to help promote a balanced foot climate.

7 - Enhanced Cleat Positioning: An additional centimeter of fore and aft adjustment versus other shoes offers improved cleat positioning for enhanced power and efficiency while providing greater stability when clicked into the pedals.

What about a flat pedal version? You might see them in a low-top sometime in the future. Learn more at giant-bicycles.com/Line and giant-bicycles.com/Shuttle.