Review: Diadora Vortex Pro shoes truly pro level

The Movistar Team has likely not had the experience that they would have liked at the 2014 Giro d’Italia. As I write this, team leader Nairo Quintana is the highest placed team member in the G.C., sitting down in 6th place, 3 minutes and 29 seconds down from compatriot Rigoberto Uran.

A crash in Stage 6 sent 5 of the nine Movistar men to the ground, so it’s more than likely that their performance can’t be blamed on their shoes.

 

Starting on January of this year, the Movistar Team entered into a three year sponsorship agreement with Diadora and since that time have exclusively been wearing the brand’s newest technological jewel -the Vortex Pro racing shoe.

We received a pair of these top of the range shoes for review early in the Spring and have had a chance to really run them through the ringer.

The domineering feature of these shoes is their incredibly precise and tuneable fit. While the shape is said to be designed specifically for professional athletes, they fit my ‘Fred Flinstone’ shaped feet just fine.

While you typically hear that the top end Italian racing shoes are narrow, the Vortex Pro shoe opened wide to accommodate my wide forefoot while still keeping my relatively narrow heel from slipping up and out during particularly vigorous pedaling.

The Vortex Pro features Suprell-Tech Morpho AM Cage technology along with a double Boa® closure that allows me to really ‘dial’ in the fit. Since the cables of the Boa® system reach across most of the forefoot and instep, I was able to really get the shoes to mold to the shape of my foot.

Heel retention was aided by a special fabric on the inside of the shoe that seemed to have ‘directional’ grip – easy going in, but grippy when rubbed or pulled the opposite direction.

 

The Vortex Pro uses Diadora’s Pro Road outsole. What that means to you and me is a full 3k carbon fiber sole with a synthetic, breathable mesh. Your sweat goes out while moisture, mud and other nasty elements stay away from your foot.

They’re not waterproof by any means. My foot did get wet on rides in the rain, but they also stayed cool and dry on the hottest of days that we’ve had so far.

The sole also has what Diadora calls “space frame” construction that minimizes weight and thickness while maintaining more than enough ridigity for your most extreme sprinting efforts.

The Diadora Vortex Pro is compatible with 3-hole road cleats and weigh 269 grams.

They are available in sizes 37.0, whole and half sizes 38.0 to 46.0, and size 47 and in the colors: White/black/red and Black/yellow fluo/white.

The price is a pro high $400, but if you like to wear the best, these shoes will be sure to satisfy.

Be sure to check out our review of Diadora’s Speedracer 2 Carbon model, which offers a lot of pro features and fit at a more down to earth price.