Giro
"Empire SLX (shoes), weigh only 175 grams — that's lighter than the Mavic Huez
(190g), Bontrager RXXXL (199g), and the old Giro Empire ACC (215g). The
new uppers use a material called Evofiber SL, which saves 30 grams. The (breakthrough) , Giro says, allow for a customized fit across the top of the foot."
(The breakthrough) "may seem old school, but they have a
few definite advantages. Most notably, seven contact points (instead of
three or so with straps and ratchets) allow for a better fit over the
top of the foot. The old Empire has become a favorite in the
VeloNews office for precisely that reason.
"
That breakthrough? Laces. Man would I love to see those come back as an option for all shoes. (My lace-up Pumas of the '70s were the most comfortable cyaling shoe I ever owned. Enough so that I laced them tight for a 105 mile race I knew would be decide on a hill at 90 miles. It was (and for me that hill was epic. See the thread out there now). I finished completely fried. Halfway into the 4 hour drive back home I realized I still had my shoes on and in fact, hadn't even loosened the laces. They were still comfortable. Of course they also used that breakthrough fabric that form fits to feet. Leather. Perhaps that technology will be discovered in my lifetime.
Quotes from the Velonews website. The site name gives away the breakthrough or I would have posted it.
Ben