Ekoï is a French manufacturer that probably isn’t as well known in the North American market, but they supply shoes to a number of different pro teams, such as Lotto-Dstny, Israel-PremierTech, Cofidis, and Arkéa-B&B Hotels. They also supply shoes to individual riders who are on teams that don’t have an official shoe sponsor.
The C12 Pro Team are Ekoï’s top of the line shoes to meet the needs of professional cyclists. Carlos Rodriguez/Ineos Grenadiers, Valentin Madous/Groupama FDJ, and Guillame Martin/Cofidis all ride the C12 Pro Team shoes. And new for 2025 is Michael Woods/Israel-Premier Tech. Not bad company to keep if you want to ride and look EuroPro.
Ekoï C12 Pro Team Road Cycling Shoes – $474.99
These are Ekoï’s top of the line shoes intended to meet the needs of professional cyclists.
Per Ekoï:
Initially designed for professional riders, the Ekoï Road C12 Proteam shoe combines a very high level of performance with indispensable comfort given the intensive use. It is the result of more than three years of research and development in close collaboration with professional cyclists close to EKOÏ. The shoe is a very sensitive product for a professional rider and it must be as close as possible to perfection.
Upper
- Pro fitting close to the foot: maximum support
- High volume in the forefoot: for long, hot outings in summer and in competition
- Wrap-around construction/slipper effect
- Genuine stitched leather material / durable/breathable as it is 100% perforated
Outsole
- 3 sole vents to maximize airflow and keep dry feet
- Graduation system, which allows precise and repeatable shim adjustment
Ortholite® insole
- Dual density to provide support to the arch and heel
- Meta pad promotes blood flow when pedaling and avoids discomfort in the toe box by slightly spreading the toes
- Breathable via open-cell PU foam and perforations at the front at the sole openings
Tightening:
- BOA® Fit System with Dual-Dial Li2
Weight 240g (size 42)
Available from 39 to 47
Chuck Peña PEZ sez: Yes, yes … I know, I know … These are bloody expensive shoes. We’re talking Jimmy Choo/Christian Louboutin territory. But that’s the price of admission to ride what the pros ride. That said, their pricing isn’t out of line compared to similar pro-level shoes from other manufacturers. If your bank account (or credit card limit) can afford them (and your significant other doesn’t threaten to leave you), the Ekoï C12 Pro Team shoes are right up there with “the best of the best.” And did I mention that these are super comfortable?
Please read on …
Sizing
The most important thing with any pair of cycling shoes is getting the right size. Just because you normally wear a particular size shoe (in my case, US size 9), don’t assume that will be the right size.
According to Ekoï’s sizing chart, a US size 9 is their Euro 42.5. They also provide sizing based on foot length. I know from sizing with other brands that use foot length that my foot measures 265 mm (10.4 inches), which equates to in between Euro 41 and Euro 42, according to Ekoï. Confusing to say the least. After consulting with my good friend, Tim Jackson, who normally wears Euro 46.5-47 size shoes but went Euro 46 on his Ekoï’s and told me “they fit really well, are pretty wonderful, and just keep getting more comfortable,” I decided to go with Euro 42. I tried them on immediately upon arrival and am happy to report that they fit like a glove (I know … mixed metaphor).
Based on my and Tim’s experience, the Ekoï C12 Pro Team shoes are definitely a case of why “try before you buy” is always a good thing, if possible. If you’re buying online, make sure the retailer has a return/exchange policy you can live with.
Construction
I said at the top that the Ekoï C12 Pro Team shoes were super comfortable. One of the reasons for this is because the upper is constructed with leather (perforated throughout, so more a warm/hot weather shoe), which is rare these days as most manufacturers have opted for synthetic material. One of the first things I noticed when I unpacked the shoes was how soft/supple they were. The other thing I noticed was how light they felt.
Ekoï specs 240 grams for size 42
In addition to the soft leather, the primary reason for the Ekoï C12 Pro Team shoes being so comfortable is their construction. The uppers of traditional shoes (think dress shoes or sneakers) have a tongue with a vamp on both sides and are tightened up pulling the vamps towards each other via the lacing system with the tongue filling the void. The upper of the Ekoï C12 Pro Team is two pieces that overlap each other without a tongue (think burrito-like). So when you tighten up the BOA dials, the two pieces essentially wrap around your foot. The comfort level is hard to describe — sublime and something you definitely have to feel to appreciate.
The Ekoï C12 Pro Team upper is two pieces of soft, supple, and very perforated leather that wrap around your foot like a burrito
As you would expect in a pair of high-end racing shoes, the sole is carbon fiber for maximum power transfer plus venting for airflow. Unlike many other manufacturers, Ekoï doesn’t say that the soles are X stiff on scale of Y (because there is no standard scale for measuring/comparing stiffness).
Ekoï chose braided carbon fiber with a matte finish for the sole
The venting is apparent with the insole removed
For walking about at coffee stops, the sole is protected with toe and heel pads (but they’re not replaceable). NOTE: You may want to tape over the toe and underfoot venting in cold/wet weather.
Standard LOOK 3-hole mounting for cleats (if you’re like me and ride Speedplay pedals, you’ll need an adaptor plate). I like my cleats such that the ball of my foot is just slightly forward of the pedal axle spindle and had no problem positioning them far enough back to do that.
Fit
My initial reaction the first time I put on the Ekoï C12 Pro Team shoes was “slippers.” (NOTE: The overlapping 2-piece upper of Ekoï C12 Pro Team shoes required pulling them apart as much as the BOA laces would allow to open them up enough to get my feet into — so not quite as easy as slippers.) Once on, the uppers just enveloped my feet (low arch, so relatively flat-ish) with a “barely there” feel. Even with the BOA dials cinched down to lock my feet in place, they were comfortably snug without feeling too tight (and there was no digging in of the BOA laces across my instep).
The Ekoï C12 Pro Team is a relatively low volume shoe, but the toebox is a little more rounded than some other shoes to allow a little more room up front (for example, when your feet swell a little riding in hot conditions). For me, my toes weren’t being squeezed together and had just enough room to spread out without feeling like I was swimming in the shoes. The heel counter/cup was snug and comfortable at the back end — a secure fit with no slip.
More rounded toebox
Stiff and deep heel counter/cup to prevent heel slip/lift
The BOA Li2 dials with micro-click adjustability allowed me to fine tune the fit so the shoes were “just right” tight enough to find the sweet spot that optimizes tightness of fit to maximize power and efficiency with enough comfort to allow circulation so you can keep pedaling.
Although fairly ubiquitous these days, if you’re new to BOA 2-way dials: push down to engage, turn forward to tighten, turn backward to loosen, and pull up to release. Being 2-way, they’re pretty easy-peasy to adjust (tighten or loosen) on the fly when you’re riding.
One thing that’s a little bit different with the Ekoï C12 Pro Team shoes are the insoles. In addition to providing padding/cushioning, they have a metatarsal pad (aka Metpad) under the ball of foot area. When you think about the constant downward pressure of the pedal stroke (especially with a stiff carbon fiber sole), the Metpad can provide #marginalgains shock absorption/comfort.
According to Ekoï, the metatarsal pads promote blood flow when pedaling and help avoid discomfort in the toe box by slightly spreading the toes
Ride like Mike!
Most of my riding to date in the Ekoï C12 Pro Team shoes has been indoors on my KICKR BIKE SHIFT. But that’s not a bad test for shoes with up to 2 hours of constant pedaling and being a slave to watts. Outdoors has been on my regular Hilton Head Island Sunday group ride that’s always fast with a “power climb” up and over the Cross Island Bridge in both directions. For me, a good test for shoes being mostly in the big ring and having to put down constant power in my quest to keep up with the heavy hitters.
Riding in the Ekoï C12 Pro Team shoes is about as comfortable as comfortable gets with their slipper-like feel on my feet — even with BOA dials cinching the leather upper to lock them down/around my feet. The carbon fiber sole is more than stiff enough for me to transfer power to the pedals and put down watts (however meager those might be). But not punishing with what I call “carbon sole fatigue” where the sole “pushes back” and causes discomfort — no hot spots or pressure points. I could feel the Metpad underfoot. Definitely a different feel and takes a little bit of getting used to. I can’t say that they do what Ekoï claims, but they weren’t bothersome or uncomfortable.
It’s still technically winter here in the Lowcountry, but the temps have been warming up and I’m looking forward to riding in the Ekoï C12 Pro Team shoes on some longer rides in what they were designed for: warm/hot weather. I have no reason to believe they won’t be up to the task.
If pro-level shoes are what you aspire to, the Ekoï C12 Pro Team shoes tick all the boxes. Did I mention that they’re super comfortable? Two words … highly recommended.
You too can ride like Mike!
Note: If you have other experiences with gear or something to add, drop us a line. We don’t claim to know everything (we just imply it at times). Give us a pat on the back if you like the reviews or a slap in the head if you feel the need!
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