Product news: The clothing specialist Rapha is known for its stylish and at the same time functional collections and that also goes beyond jerseys and shorts. With the new Rapha Explore Powerweave shoe, this is once again impressively demonstrated. Because the new off-road shoe was developed for brisk rides off-road and should be able to take on any obstacle.
The Rapha Explore Powerweave shoe should be the new highlight for every off-road junkie. Because reinforced with its TPU yarn
Upper material, a custom-fit Boa Fit System closure and a walkable sole, the shoe has everything you need for off-road adventures. This is exactly why the Explore Powerweave has been tested for tens of thousands of kilometers on bikepacking expeditions, ultra-distance races over Dolomite trails and through the sands of the Sahara in order to be able to offer the highest performance. And the result is something to be proud of, because the new Rapha shoe model wants to score points with a particularly non-slip and hard-wearing sole, with a reinforced variant of its own Powerweave fabric and a unique fit.
“I love the new Powerweave Shoes. They are extremely comfortable on long days on the bike. In particular, the material and the BOA Fit System convinced me. They're light, roomy and look great - unlike any other cycling shoe I've worn. Somehow they feel like a combination of leisure and function.” – Lael Wilcox, ultra-distance rider: She put the shoe through its paces at Redington Pass in Arizona in unusually wintry conditions.
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“They are the perfect shoes for the routes I ride the most. They're great to walk in, which is usually a bit of a weak point. Shoes can be comfortable for walking or they can be stiff. But these form the golden mean – you can run five or ten kilometers in them. On the road, they just feel like road bike shoes. I would have loved to race it, but people would have laughed at me. You can do everything. You can wear them every day, on every bike and in every discipline and you are well prepared. So one less thing to worry about. They're also fast.” – Lachlan Morton of EF Pro Cycling, who tested the shoes during his 2020 Badlands triumph across the Sierra Nevada in southern Spain.
Rapha Explore Powerweave Shoe - The upper
The aforementioned functionality of the shoe is primarily due to the innovative 3D woven upper material, which is robust and light at the same time. The big advantage is the combination of sock-like comfort and a stable fit, which guarantees full functionality. The TPU-reinforced yarns of Rapha's own Powerweave fabric ensure high durability and weather resistance.
Thanks to the shaped heel caps, the shoe always stays in place and offers a comfortable grip on the bike and when walking. Thanks to Boa's new Li2 twist lock, which has been fully integrated into the upper, the Rapha Explore can be individually adjusted. There is also an adjustable arch support that can be adapted to different foot shapes.
Rapha Explore Powerweave Shoe – The Sole
Of course, the sole of a shoe like the Rapha Explore Powerweave is particularly important, because on the one hand it has to be light and stiff, on the other hand it has to be robust and comfortable enough to remain stable in the terrain and when walking. The soles on the toes and heels have been designed to be particularly flexible so that you can also walk comfortably. In addition, the footplate is integrated into an extremely non-slip rubber sole, which has a cut-out for the pedal plates. So you are sure-footed on any terrain and even in bad weather.
Rapha Explore Powerweave Features:
- Highly functional Powerweave upper
- Lightweight carbon sole, kept shorter for heel and toe flexibility
- Precise fit thanks to the Boa Fit System Li2
- Robust, non-slip profile made of natural rubber
- Light metal parts made of anodized titanium
- Velcro straps with signature Rapha styling
- Reflective heel counter for better visibility at night
- Price: EUR 310
- Color: Black and Dark Navy