Sidi Genius has been around for a while now with this being version 10.
Shoes, like saddles, can be a very personal thing. I have had several iterations of this shoe and they have never disappointed. The quality and durability of the product have always been there for me. Also, the replaceable heal and straps is great. I have replaced both on several pairs and that helps keep the overall lifetime cost down since the uppers and soles are close to bulletproof.
These are, by far, the most comfortable cycling shoes I have ever worn. The liner is one piece, doesn't bunch, and conforms to the foot. The adjustments are precise and easy and the shoe gives me a very solid connection with the pedals. There is decent ventilation as well. This is high praise from me, as I am very finicky about shoes and have a number of minor foot issues that make fit difficult. There is one big drawback, however: I cannot put on or take off the shoes without sitting and using a shoehorn. Perhaps the liner will loosen up, as I have only put about 50 miles on these, but for now these are inconvenient to put on and remove. For me, it is worth the comfort.
My 10+ year old Lake MXZ302 gave up the ghost a 2 years ago, and the gortex northwave winter boots I replaced them with are just not warm enough. This is a big and bulky boot, but that is exactly what i was looking for to use on below freezing rides. I ordered 1.5 sizes above my usual to fit with thicker wool socks. My primary use is wet/slush/snow covered roads for winter training.
Pros: in the mid 20s F my feet stayed warm and dry. easy to put on /off and adjust while wearing gloves.
Cons: Same issue as all single boa shoes where you can't dial in a specific fit on different areas of your foot. The upper ankle portion does not have a flap over the tongue, making snow and water ingress possible. if riding in really wet or snowy conditions an ankle gaiter would be beneficial.
Other notes: The sole is thick enough to need to raise your saddle. A pamphlet in the box indicates a cleat shim is necessary for the pedals to engage properly, but i found with my spd M540 pedals i liked the feel of no shim better.
?The Shimano SH-RC703 delivers incredible performance for the price. The lightweight and stiff carbon sole offers excellent power transfer, you definitely feel the efficiency. The dual BOA dials allow for precise, on-the-fly micro-adjustments, ensuring a perfect, secure fit without hot spots.
?I found the ventilation to be solid, keeping my feet cool on long summer rides. They run true to size, offering that classic, comfortable Shimano fit. A highly recommended, race-ready shoe for serious cyclists!
