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Scott Premium road shoes (Image credit: Immediate Media)
In this Orica-GreenEdge option, Scott's Premium shoe is very striking. The synthetic leather upper is only stitched at the heel, with one welded seam above the ball of the foot avoiding irritation from stitching. Three welded airmesh panels and extensive perforations ensure ample airflow through the uppers.
Highs: Fit, comfort, security and efficiency
Lows: Ineffective toe bumpers
The tongue is perforated and firmly padded, with a neoprene lip that conforms comfortably to your ankle. Boa IP1 dials allow fine adjustment from toe box to ankle with single-click increments, and total release by pulling up on the grippy, rubberised dial that's easy to operate with gloves on or through overshoes.
Increasing ventilation is a giant intake port at the front of the HMX carbon sole. The sole is stiff and light for efficiency, but permits a little torsional flex in the rear half to reduce strain on your knees and ankles. There's a useful cleat alignment guide and a replaceable heel bumper. The toe bumpers are sited either side of the toe vent for better airflow, but walking resulted in the cleat and carbon sole getting scuffed, with the bumpers untouched.
Scott's ErgoLogic anatomic footbed has an Aegis Microbe Shield coating, perforations, and interchangeable arch support and metatarsal button. We found the medium ones extremely supportive, and the smaller volume of Scott's Racing Fit suited us better than the more generously sized lower models, aiding power transfer.
At 607g (size 45), the Premiums are barely noticeable, and offer excellent all-day comfort and more performance than most of us will ever need.
