The Sidi Shot 3 represent Sidi’s brand new halo offering, sitting right at the top of the brand’s range of road shoes and are raced in by the likes of Isaac del Toro.
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Construction
The basic template of the shoe remains similar to the Shot 2S, with a carbon fibre sole, a microfibre upper, and two dials on the top of the shoe on the tongue. But that is where the similarities end.
The redesigned upper is now a monocoque upper with no seams and an internal net structure to provide a far stiffer upper system than before. It still features plenty of perforations for breathability. The only separate part of the upper is the tongue, as would be expected. That tongue also features a Velcro section on the external side to better sit in place.
Another brand new feature are the dials, now the NUUN 001C made from aluminium rather than plastic. They still flip up for tightening, and there is still a release catch on the top of the top dial and base of the lower dial. Central positioning has been maintained for better aerodynamics as well as reducing the contact risk in a bunch or a crash. Remember MVDP ripping a dial off his shoes on his way to winning the World Title?
On the heel the adjustment system has been heavily updated. No longer are tool required, simply pinch in and tighten. It is also removable for those that deem it unnecessary and want to remove some weight.
Meanwhile the sole of the shoe now extends the carbon up the heel to create a stiffer heel cup. This is part of the new DUO-FIT carbon chassis. This combines the R1FC carbon sole with the heel cup, while the Nexus Bridge section of the sole, which is the thicker and narrower section in the centre, helps boost stiffness and reduce weight. A stiffness index of 12 is given, the highest of any Sidi shoes.
Cleat bolting is a 3-bolt pattern, with a more rearwards setup possible than the Sidi Shot 2. This is part of the new Millenium fit, first introduced on the Ergo 6 model. This widens the toe box significantly while also increasing the volume of the shoe to better accommodate a range of foot shapes and bring the last into the modern era. Sidi also maintains the ability to replace many of the parts such as heel retention, dials, and heel pads. There is also the same memory foam insole from the Ergo 6.
At present there are three colour options, and sizes from 38-48, with half sizes available up to 46.5. Weight for a size 45 shoe is 283g (566g for the pair).
Performance
I’ve reviewed the Sidi Shot 2S, and my overriding impression of that shoe was that unfortunately it just lacked the total system stiffness, and the shape of the shoe really didn’t suit my foot and therefore to maintain some level of comfort I could not tighten it down properly. It was also surprisingly heavy for a £400+ performance shoe.
The Sidi Shot 3 however addresses many of those issues impressively well. First and foremost, the new Millenium fit is far superior to the old Sidi race fit. I praised the Sidi Ergo 6 for this new last, which includes a wider toe box, less curved foot shape, and higher volume offering. It is far more suitable for a range of foot sizes and shapes and means the Shot 3 genuinely do fit my feet whereas before they just didn’t.
I’m still not a massive fan of the insole, which offers no arch support, but that is because I have a higher arch so need something bespoke or adjustable like QUOC or Shimano offer. If you have flatter feet, the Sidi one will serve you well.
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The length of the shoe does not feel as roomy as the Ergo 6. Especially under hard efforts, there felt to be a bit of my toes ramming against the front of the shoe. In fairness, this is again more likely a personal fit and geometry issue, but it does appear ‘smaller’ inside than the same size of Sidi Ergo 6 shoe. As with any shoe, I would recommend trying on carpeted floors before committing to cleat fitting and the outdoors to ensure the size is correct.
I was impressed by the new sole chassis system. Having the sole extend up the heel as a support cup gives a very planted and locked in sensation, which I am a fan of. The previous Shot 2S frame was stiff, but it never felt as connected, you had your foot on-top of the sole rather than planted into it. A big part of this greater connection is the inclusion of the new dials. Far more rugged and sturdy than the old version, they offer the same one-way adjustment but the ‘hold to release system’ works well to remove your foot or adjust enough to give some more room.
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The better fit, stronger dials, and stiff platform together make for a greatly enhanced system stiffness. I can use this shoe for maximal efforts now and races whereas the Shot 2S just did not allow this level of stiffness overall. I have though experienced the dials giving way slightly during fairly ragged sprint efforts. I don’t feel confident knocking out 1300w efforts in these shoes, but below that 4-figure watt range there were no issues.
Another area of improvement, for the most part, is the upper. I like just how cushioned and supportive it is. This results in it being very comfortable for longer rides, as well as having some give when your feet warm up and expand slightly. The perforations help to regulate temperature, while the microfibre material is very easily wiped clean.
One element I am not so keen on is the rear clamp system. Personally, I find it superfluous. I have fairly narrow ankles, but I didn’t need it adjusted at all. It is removable, but that isn’t obviously apparent. I found as I loosened a shoe to remove the shoe, pushing on the heel could dislodge the system. Personally, I think it would be better off without this similar to the Ergo 6. But this is subjective and there may be riders who would benefit from this additional ankle support. I find the extended chassis and sole does a good job at this by itself.
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Value
With updated features and technology, comes an updated price. £449 is the cost of the Sidi Shot 3, up there with the likes of the Specialized Ares 2 (£479), Giro Imperial II (£399.99), and Fizik Vega (£400). It’s still somewhat below the new ‘Super Halo’ offerings such as the Nimbl Ultimate Glide, Q36.5 Unique Pro, and Specialized S-Works Remco, all at ~£550. But it is a far heftier price than the likes of the Specialized S-Works Torch and Shimano S-Phyre RC903 which are both £350.
The issue still for the Sidi Shot 3 as a performance road shoe is the weight. The previous Shot 2S were chunky at 651g for a pair, but 566g is still significantly heavier than the QUOC M3 Air, Shimano S-Phyre RC903, or any other shoe around this price tag. I will vouch that the Sidi are potentially more comfortable from a cushioning perspective for longer days in the saddle, and do have a certain premium feel around them that others struggle to match. No loose threads or stitching in sight! But for a performance road shoe it is hard to justify opting for these over many other options that arguably offer better value for money.
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Conclusion
The Sidi Shot 3 are a vast improvement over the Shot 2S. The new last, the upper materials, dials, and the sleek design are all a vast departure from Sidi of old, but propel these shoes and the range into a more sleek and modern aesthetic and functionality.
Everything about these shoes exceeds the previous model, and these are stiffer, more comfortable, and lighter. The problem however, is that there are plenty of shoes that match the performance for a significantly lower cost. These are not great value, but if you want a pair expertly crafted premium Italian cycling shoes, they are very good. If you want performance paired with value, look elsewhere.
