Q36.5 UNIQUE PRO SHOES

Handmade race shoes that fit like a glove but leave your bank account feeling battered

- Andy Turner

The latest premium road shoes from Italian brand Q36.5 are based around a new ultra-thin carbon-fibre outsole manufactured near the company's factory in the Dolomites, in keeping with the firm's commitment to locally sourced, artisanal production and a sustainability-focused supply chain.

The carbon sole extends to create a carbon tub which reaches around the foot for added security and stiffness. The sole is just 4.4mm thick where it attaches to the cleat, with 2.2mm for the rest of the sole, delivering a very low stack height. Q36.5 claims that, according to its research, for every 1mm reduction in stack height, there is a 1% increase in power output, so low stack height is clearly a priority.